All Playdate.com Articles | PlayDate

<a href="http://media-d.optimalfusion.com/w/1.0/rc?cs=4f3af0c3a325c&cb="><img src="http://media-d.optimalfusion.com/w/1.0/ai?auid=145021&cs=4f3af0c3a325c&cb=" border="0" alt=""></a>

All Playdate Articles

Business Playdate
May 22, 2013
I know they say that you’re never too young to start thinking about your future, but sometimes I’m surprised by how mature and advanced some young kids can be these days. My friend Jesse is a single parent with an … read more

Minimizing Distractions
May 17, 2013
Back in the day, parents could measure how much time children goofed off based on the amount of TV they watched. It was simple – the TV could be shut off and they’d go outside to play, do their schoolwork … read more

Shaving Cream Playdate
May 15, 2013
Quality outdoor time comes in many forms. I am a big supporter of giving kids the chance to get good and dirty. Letting them explore as much as they can safely. So, this past weekend we busted out the shaving … read more

Water Balloon Pinatas
May 10, 2013
With the arrival of summer temperatures my kids and I have been spending lots more time outside. And of course, outside play eventually will include water play. Who doesn’t just love playing with water? One of our go to water … read more

Sidewalk Paint
May 8, 2013
The weather is beautiful here this week. The kids and I have been spending as much time as possible outside. However, a crime was committed. We had no sidewalk chalk. What kind of mom runs out of sidewalk chalk? Oh … read more

Gender Reveal Ideas
May 6, 2013
It is all the rage these days to have fun and clever ways to find out the gender of your baby. I wish there was more of this around when I was having kids, I’m sure my husband and I … read more

Saving without Compromising
May 3, 2013
Okay so here’s the deal. I’m sure that by now you’ve been inundated with money saving tips telling you to pinch here and pinch there. Of course, if you bring your own lunch to work, make your own coffee, buy … read more

Soda Explosions
May 1, 2013
Ever since introducing my kids to the show Myth Busters they have wanted nothing more than to try their experiments. As much as I love the fact that my kids are now interested in science, I worry about their excitement … read more

Allowance Ideas
April 29, 2013
Over the years my husband and I have toyed with several different ideas when it comes to allowances. It was hard to settle on the right amount, and the right method. I did not like the idea of giving the … read more

The Gluttonous Guest
April 26, 2013
So we decided to have a barbeque this past weekend, just because, and invited a handful or our closest friends. No special occasion simply a get together to hang out and catch up. While at the grocery store on Friday … read more

Why Wasn’t I Invited to the Party?
April 24, 2013
So my son came home from school this afternoon crying because he found out that someone in his class had a party over the weekend and that he wasn’t invited. I felt bad because he described how the other kids … read more

Psychology Classes in Elementary School
April 22, 2013
Why is it that no psychology classes are being taught in elementary school? Granted, as a therapist for more than 20 years I might be a little biased, but I think I’m not alone in realizing psychology’s value. Generally, if … read more

The Caregiver – Nice vs. Pushover
April 20, 2013
Lately I’ve been pulled in so many directions that half the time I’m not sure whether I’m coming or going. I have four children and a full time job, so needless to say daily life is very busy. But somehow, … read more

Marriage Time-Out
April 16, 2013
During our date night this past weekend my husband and I left the kids behind to meet up with some of our friends who also have children our kids’ ages. We went to a small intimate club where we had … read more

Glorified Violence
April 11, 2013
If I have to drive past another billboard depicting violence or have to watch a video trailer of some outlaw posing with twin guns drawn and pointed at people and/or law enforcement, I’m just going to scream. It’s on TV, the … read more

Dealing With Car Sick Kids
April 9, 2013
Recently my six year old has begun to get car sick. It happened gradually. Once in a blue moon she would feel queasy. Then it became more common. All of a sudden it was nearly every time we got into … read more

DIY Matte Nail Polish
April 7, 2013
Browsing the nail polish aisles at the drug store you will most likely notice that the matte polishes are all the rage. Sadly for me, I have about two hundred nail polishes at home already and if I buy one … read more

Secret Messages Craft
April 5, 2013
My kids are all about secret messages, and playing spies. They love everything about it, the intrigue, the excitement, and mostly the knowing things that other people don’t know. So when I saw this craft I knew it was one … read more

Easy DIY Countdown Calendar
April 1, 2013
My family is excited to have planned our first big vacation this year. It is official, we are going to Disney World. As a Southern California native, I have visited the mouse many times, but this will be our first … read more

Borax Crystals
March 29, 2013
Do you know what is fun? Science projects. My kids and I cannot get enough of them. From potato batteries, colored flowers, exploding soap, it doesn’t matter we want to try it. I love that my kids are so eager … read more

Spiderweb Games
March 25, 2013
My kids get so antsy on rainy days. We are always looking for new ways to spend the time that don’t include television or video games. I will admit that we do resort to electronics sometimes, but we do our … read more

Ten Reasons I Hate Gift Cards
March 20, 2013
When I think about buying someone a gift I usually want to do something special and take the time to really find something that will let them know how important they are to me or to my family. Then, inevitably, … read more

Making Ombre Easter Eggs
March 18, 2013
Easter is quickly approaching. This year I might actually allow my kids to dye some eggs. In the past I have let them color them with crayons and markers and even decorated some with stickers. Last year a friend of … read more

Homemade Dishwasher Soap
March 13, 2013
Not too long ago, I ventured into making my own laundry detergent. I loved it so much that I couldn’t wait to find a recipe for more homemade soaps. The money I saved by making my own was astounding. For … read more

Taking Kids to Estate Sales
March 11, 2013
If you’ve ever wondered what’s going to happen with all of your prized possessions and your lifelong collection of antiques and valuables well let me tell you…it’s not pretty! Of course, we all hope that our children will cherish and appreciate … read more

Children Who Won’t Grow Up
March 6, 2013
I recently had a conversation with a therapist about a distraught couple, both in their late fifties, and each on their second marriage of five years. He was relaying the story to me without using their names to maintain their privacy … read more

Putting Children in Show Business
March 4, 2013
Having been raised in Hollywood, California I’ve had the fortunate (and sometimes unfortunate) experience of growing up with childhood actors. When I was young I wanted to be on TV, too, but my parents never entertained (excuse the pun) the … read more

Dealing With Mommy Guilt
March 1, 2013
Now that the new year is here and we are all working out more attempting to stick with our New Year’s resolution goals, you might be feeling a bit of mommy guilt. You know, that guilty feeling you get when … read more

How To Trim Your Own Bangs
February 27, 2013
I’m a mom. I have three kids. I struggle to find time for myself. I love to look cute like most moms out there. To help my cuteness I went for bangs a while back. Not the trendy side bangs, … read more

Mom Bucks
February 25, 2013
My family is planning our annual trip to a Disney park. This year we are changing it up a bit by going to Florida instead of California. Having grown up in Southern California, I am quite partial to Disneyland, but … read more

Old School Reading – Unplugged
February 22, 2013
We spent the last holiday weekend visiting with family out of state to allow the younger cousins to hang out and bond. As all the young kids ran out to play I noticed that Sarah, who is 9 years old … read more

Freezer Cooking
February 20, 2013
With the way things cost these days, I will do just about anything to save money. I have three kids to feed and put through college, so saving money is no joke. This is why I have started cooking for … read more

Preparing Children for the First Day of School
February 18, 2013
Doing anything for the first time can be anxiety provoking. Now imagine being a five year-old (or younger) having to do something new, alone, and imagine how much more stressful that can be. This past September my son, who had … read more

Keeping Kids Active In Winter
February 11, 2013
The winter is cold, and the days are short. Recent studies say that kids burn roughly half the amount of calories a day than they do in the warmer months. But just because the weather is bad doesn’t mean that … read more

Fourteen Things I Love About You
February 9, 2013
Now that I have kids, Valentines day has taken on a whole new meaning. It is not just about romance, but about love in general. All different kinds of love. And of course, I love my children. Even though I … read more

Superstitions–Healthy or Crazy?
February 7, 2013
I recently met up with an old friend at a coffee shop after not seeing her for over twenty years. As she was telling me how great a certain aspect of her career was going, “knock on wood,” she suddenly … read more

Choosing Your Family Photographer
February 5, 2013
Getting your family portraits done can be quite stressful. There are so many people out there these days who claim to be a photographer. How do you know which ones are legit? How do you know which ones have personalities … read more

Back Pain Relief – When Nothing Else Works
February 3, 2013
I’ve been suffering from back pain for as long as I can remember. It started with high school sports and progressed with time, being reignited by manual labor, sedentary desk jobs and everyday life with small children. When I talk … read more

Conversation Heart Bunting
February 1, 2013
We all know those cute little candies that come out every valentines day. The ones shaped like hearts and have words written on them. They are a valentines day tradition, a staple, it just would not be valentines day without … read more

Homemade Giant Dice
January 30, 2013
Family game night, is one of our favorite nights. We do our fare share of Clue, and UNO, but sometimes it is fun to make up your own game. One of our more recent games was lovingly dubbed, “Silly Animals.” … read more

Midlife Crisis: Blessing or Curse?
January 28, 2013
Why is it that when we see a man in his forties driving around in a red convertible sports car with a woman half his age that we assume he’s having (or has had) a midlife crisis? Maybe the young … read more

Homemade Bath Crayons
January 25, 2013
Bath time is a joyous occasion over here. My kids absolutely love it. In fact I could threaten to take away bath time if I needed an attitude adjustment to happen. It is that serious folks. One of my kids … read more

Elmer’s Glue Tie Dyed Shirts
January 23, 2013
I don’t know if you have noticed, but the trends of the past have a way of resurfacing again. We have so far been lucky that the 80s mall bangs have not found their way in style again. But the … read more

Teaching Children Water Safety
January 21, 2013
When I was nine, my parents took my younger sister, who was 3 at the time, and I to swim at Lake Mead near Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam. It was a gorgeous lake and the warm temperature made … read more

Free Online Math Help
January 18, 2013
It is sad to admit, but lots of kids have problems with math. Now, I’m not one to point fingers and say it is the schools fault, or teachers, or any of that. That is a whole other post in … read more

Erupting Soap Experiment
January 16, 2013
Have little boys? Have little boys who are in need of some stimulation? Have little boys who don’t get enough outside time because it is cold and rainy outside? Want to engage their minds a little? Or maybe just pique … read more

Ten Mistakes Teacher’s Make
January 11, 2013
There are so many incredible amazing teachers out there–men and women who work long hours in an often thankless and poorly compensated position. I know that I am not alone in being so grateful to them for caring for our … read more

Water Color and White Crayons
January 9, 2013
It is cold outside, and that means more restless kids inside. It doesn’t have to be a tragedy though, just keep a few crafty tricks up your sleeves, and you will survive the winter. A good stand by activity for … read more

Traditional School Alternatives
January 7, 2013
I remember growing up hearing my father’s mantra about fashion always repeating itself. “You don’t need to buy a new tie,” he’d say as he pulled out a rack of perfectly preserved ties dating back from the 50’s. “You can … read more

Sandpaper Shirts
January 2, 2013
A few months back, I took my kids to the Crayola factory in Pennsylvania. It was a blast for my art loving children. While we were there we picked up cute little souvenir shirts and fabric markers that they used … read more

Potluck with a Twist – Surprise Dish
December 30, 2012
I love to cook but juggling children, a crazy work schedule and chauffeuring everyone to their extra-curricular activities leaves me little time for more than a basic meal on the table. When I was growing up my mom made soup … read more

Gun Safety – Out of Control
December 27, 2012
By now you’ve probably seen President Obama cry on national television and have been inundated by articles about the Sandy Hook School Shooting, which occurred in Connecticut on Friday, December 14, 2012. What a sad and inexcusable loss! Unfortunately, it’s … read more

Snowman Milk Jugs
December 25, 2012
Cold weather has a way of keeping us indoors during the winter. So I find that we tackle more crafting during the cold months than we do during summer. My kids are longing for the first snow fall, which does … read more

Get an A for Effort
December 21, 2012
We all have things we’d like to see our children improve at – academics and school grades; behavior; sports ability; social skills. But underlying all of those achievements is the core to success—Effort! You know– The section of our child’s … read more

Who’s Watching Your Kids?
December 19, 2012
Supervision is a tricky thing. As parents we want to ensure our children’s safety, yet we don’t want to be Helicopter (see our Playdate article Over Parenting) parents circling and constantly intervening. Most of us try to find that balance. … read more

Leaving Children Home Alone
December 17, 2012
Though I try to be omnipresent and stay on top of things, there are always circumstances that make me contemplate leaving my children home alone. Whether they’re sound asleep and I simply want to run to the corner grocery for … read more

A Wreath Kids Can Make
December 14, 2012
Do you remember as a kid, making garland out of strips of construction paper? I totally do! It is like a rite of passage for all children. The fun part, is that you don’t have to just make garland, you … read more

Homemade Hand Warmers
December 3, 2012
Baby, it’s cold outside. There is nothing I hate more than cold weather and therefore cold hands. I hate my hands being cold, and I really hate my kids hands being cold. It never fails that when they have tiny … read more

When to Move From A Booster
November 25, 2012
Car seats are annoying. They are big, bulky, and hard to clean. But of course they also save lives, so we all use them. Something I see all the time are people who take their kids out of booster seats … read more

Child Self Portraits
November 19, 2012
A fun activity for young school aged children is for them to explore their own personality. I have always felt that it is a great self-esteem builder to talk about their personal traits. To do this we usually paste a … read more

Painting With Condensed Milk
November 16, 2012
You are probably aware by now that my kids love art projects. Most kids do, I’m sure. It’s so bad that I feel like we are constantly out of one art supply or another. Usually paint. Over the years we … read more

Little Green Pouch
November 14, 2012
If you have a baby eating baby food, you have probably seen those pouches full of baby food. And if you have school aged kids, you might have noticed apple sauce being sold in the same type of little pouches. … read more

Artwork Starters
November 9, 2012
I love getting my kids and their imaginations churning. Sometimes I think that is one of the greatest joys of a parent. One of my favorite ways to do this is by giving them picture starters. These are along the … read more

Personalized Plateware
November 5, 2012
With the holidays just around the corner, my mind is all geared up for the various gift giving opportunities. Like most people, I love making cookies, candies, or other concoctions from my kitchen. What I don’t love, is the cost … read more

Giving Medicine to Babies
October 29, 2012
As sad as it is, chances are that you might have to give your infant or baby medicine. For me, I had to give my daughter medicine for acid reflux. It was the only thing that would help her eat … read more

Painting Bread
October 26, 2012
I know we all grew up being told to never play with our food. Sometimes I think that is why I encourage my kids to play with theirs as often as possible. I don’t think I have encouraged any little … read more

Toilet Paper Roll Crafts
October 24, 2012
I cannot lie, I have the strangest habit of saving our toilet paper rolls. At first I didn’t really know why other than for recycling purposes, they just never ended up in the trash. Now, however, I have discovered their … read more

Family Night Jars
October 22, 2012
I am always spouting about the benefits of quality time. Whether with your spouse alone, or a good old fashioned family fun night. My biggest problem (besides time and energy) are ideas to keep things fresh and fun. I sort … read more

Cleaning Secret – Dawn & Vinegar?
October 20, 2012
I pride myself on keeping a clean home. It’s part of the responsibilities I took on when I accepted the role of homemaker (or at least pay someone to do it when I can treat myself). But I have a … read more

Colored Spaghetti
October 18, 2012
I love sensory activities for kids. Nothing gets their creativity gears turning like a good hands-on activity. Kids learn in a number of ways, but I hands-on is definitely a favorite here. One of our latest sensory discoveries has been … read more

Leafsnap App
October 16, 2012
I love getting my kids outside in nature and learning about all the things we find. My daughter has a journal where we keep pictures of bugs and plants that we have found, photographed, then identified. Sometimes identification of plants … read more

Yellow Armpits Begone
October 13, 2012
Part of being a stay at home mom seems to be focused on becoming a stain guru. My kids, and husband (and dog) are constantly challenging my ability to get rid of stains. I’ve done endless hours of trial and … read more

Homemade Fruit Snacks
October 10, 2012
My kids love fruit snacks. I love fruit snacks. And I’m fairly certain that most everyone loves them. I do not, however, love all the added sugar found in most fruit snacks sold at most grocery stores. I love even … read more

Magic Water Beads
October 8, 2012
My last trip to my craft store was a fruitful one. I was looking for creative ways to display some spring flowers. In my search for the prefect vase I came across water beads. They looked like small little plastic … read more

Homemade Bubble Wands
October 6, 2012
Blowing bubbles is one of the funnest things kids get to do outside. I have never met a child who didn’t enjoy blowing bubbles. I’m not even sure that I have met an adult that doesn’t get some kind of … read more

Encouraging Reluctant Readers
October 3, 2012
Learning to read can be hard for young kids. There are so many rules to remember, and of course those rules just don’t always apply. How do you encourage your struggling reader to keep with it so that they can … read more

Calm Down Jars
October 1, 2012
My kids have big personalities. And as you may know, big personalities sometimes mean big tempers. My daughter especially can lose control at the drop of a pin, or missing headband. Most of the time, her behavior does not warrant … read more

Baby Powder Sand Remover
September 27, 2012
I love spending time at the beach, but I detest sand. Okay, that’s not completely accurate. I don’t mind sand, and actually love the feel of it, as long as it stays on the beach. It’s the sand that attaches … read more

All About Me
September 25, 2012
Let’s face it. Little kids are egocentric. They love themselves almost as much as we do. There is really nothing wrong with it, they might as well enjoy thinking about how much they rock before they learn it’s socially unacceptable. … read more

Ice Excavation
September 22, 2012
The summer heat can sure be hard to beat some days. I don’t have a pool, so it’s up to my imagination and a hose to keep my kids cool and wet in the summer months. One of our favorite … read more

Fruit Kabobs
September 18, 2012
I love summer fruits. Berries, melons, peaches, plums, pineapple. Yummy! I also really enjoy yogurt. That could explain why one of my favorite snacks are fruit and yogurt kabobs. My kids love to make these, and gobble the up quickly. … read more

Cleaning Schedules
September 16, 2012
Being a parent is hard work. Whether you stay at home, work from home, or work outside of the home, it is very easy to fall behind on keeping up your house. For me, when this happens, I somehow feel … read more

Painting Parties
September 14, 2012
I had the pleasure of attending a painting themed birthday party last weekend. The party was held outdoors, and the kids were instructed to wear paint safe clothes. Each child was also given a plain white T-shirt to put on … read more

Magnet Painting
September 10, 2012
I love craft time with my kids. I am always asking other moms for ideas on fun things to do with my kids. I am especially a sucker for a craft that has the added benefit of learning to it. … read more

Tempering Temper Tantrums
August 11, 2012
I hate taking my kids out when they are grumpy. Honestly, if I can see that they are in a foul mood we try not to venture out at all. Why reward them if they are grumps anyway? And … read more

Teaching to Give
August 9, 2012
Being generous and giving to others sounds like such a simple concept. It is something that we all want of our kids. Kids learn everything by example though, and sometimes our giving habits are not very visible to our kids. … read more

Play Makeup
August 5, 2012
I am just like any other 29 year old woman. I enjoy makeup. I love putting it on and feeling pretty. I’m not going to lie, I don’t wear it often. Most days I’m thankful to get a shower, brush … read more

Talents
August 3, 2012
We all love to think that our kids are special. And really, they are in one way or another. They all have things that they are great at and they do better than their peers. Now I’m not telling you … read more

Keeping Kids in Their Beds
August 1, 2012
My two year old son has gotten to that sad point where he is capable of climbing out of his crib. I feel very lucky to have made it this long with him. I’ve met plenty of kids who are … read more

Tooth Fairy
July 30, 2012
I can’t believe I’m having to think about this already, but my daughter has lost her first tooth. I won’t get sentimental about it, but it was sooner than I was expecting. She is a few weeks shy of her … read more

Toothbrushing Tricks
July 24, 2012
Lately at our house, teeth brushing time has become a battle. I know it is expected, eventually two year olds make everything a battle. It’s a rite of passage for them. Just because they want to be all crazy though, … read more

Tattling
July 22, 2012
Each child goes through different stages of things that they do that are considered annoying. Right now, my daughter, who is five and a half has started her “tattle tale” phase. At the moment I feel like it might be … read more

Repurposing Crayons
July 20, 2012
If you have school aged kids, or toddlers, you probably know that crayons break, and they become difficult to use. They get blunt, and don’t sharpen very well. And eventually you end up with a huge box of broken crayons … read more

Some Respect Please
May 27, 2012
Last week, my family and I went to visit an old friend of mine in San Diego. We had been in the navy together, and I had never met his wife and three children. When we finally all met what … read more

Freedom Drum Circles
May 25, 2012
This past Sunday, my family and I took a bike ride over to a local park. As usual, we loaded our backpacks with a variety of sports equipment and snacks. Once we got there, we could hear the faint sounds … read more

Sibling Rivalry: “The Hitter vs. Trash Talker”
May 23, 2012
The concept of Sibling Rivalry and fighting is nothing new. Being number three out of four children, I often was on the receiving end of it but then again, I could definitely hold my own and dish it out as … read more

Sometimes, Children Know Best
May 21, 2012
There are many things in this world that simply don’t make sense. As adults, we either choose to accept them, ignore them or don’t even notice that they exist. Kids on the other hand often have an untainted, naive and … read more

Loud Music: Are Your Ears Ringing?
May 19, 2012
This past week we attended a “family event” at one of the local parks to support animal adoptions with several of our friends. After the kids loaded up their bags with free items handed out at the various booths (no … read more

You Had a Bad Day, Why Should I?
May 17, 2012
Last week my boss arrived at the office over an hour late looking tired and distracted. He didn’t say hello to anyone, went into his office and slammed the door. Clearly he was having a bad day, and if there … read more

The Making of a Prodigy
May 15, 2012
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Frederic Chopin and Alexander Pope, just to name a few, famous past childhood prodigies. It is always exciting to see a child prodigy in person and to feel humbled and astonished by their abilities. My family and … read more

Family Meeting Agenda
May 13, 2012
If you don’t already believe in them, then I am going to try to convince you of the importance of having weekly family meetings. It might help to know that I didn’t think much of them myself – in my … read more

Introducing Negative Thoughts
May 11, 2012
So there we were on another weekly trail hike with our four children. For the most part, they love being outdoors and can hold their own with even the more challenging hikes. With all of the different terrain surrounding the … read more

Choosing the Right Instrument
May 9, 2012
“Hi, I have a 6 six year old who would like to play the guitar.” “What sparked his interest?” “He has a friend who plays.” As I was waiting in the music store for my son’s guitar to be re-strung, … read more

Alternatives to TV
May 7, 2012
Let’s face it. It is hot outside. Some days are much too hot to even begin thinking about going outside. The temperature here is well into the hundreds, and don’t get me started on the humidity. It has been so … read more

Fisher Price Rock and Play
May 5, 2012
My house is certainly not very large, and with soon to be five people living here, we need to maximize every inch of space. This is why we went on the hunt for just the right bassinet solution for us. … read more

Imaginary Friends
May 3, 2012
I love my kids. Even when they do something that I perceive as strange. I don’t recall ever having an imaginary friend growing up, so the fact that my daughter has a slew of them is sort of bizarre to … read more

Allergies
May 1, 2012
Allergies suck! But when you live in a place where weeds and pollen and all that nasty allergy causing stuff thrives, you have to learn to deal with them. I myself am lucky enough to not have to worry about … read more

Arguing Kids
April 29, 2012
When you have more than one child it is absolutely inevitable that they will fight and argue. Personally I think that these sibling quarrels are very important. How else can kids safely learn how to have a disagreement once they … read more

At Home Spa
April 27, 2012
Here is something you’ve got to try. If you have dry skin like me that is. When you don’t have time or money to get to the spa for a facial, try doing one at home. When you don’t have … read more

Educational Apps
April 25, 2012
Let’s facet it, our kids are bombarded with technology at every turn. It will never cease to amaze me that my two year old can operate my iPad just as well (if not better) as I can. I realize that … read more

Birchbox
April 23, 2012
I love beauty and fashion. I don’t always get the time to fancy myself up the way I’d like. Hey most days I’m lucky to have clean hair and no spit up on me. And I don’t always have the … read more

Choosing Battles
April 21, 2012
I hear all the time from other parents that they can’t get their kids to do something or another. Things like, I could never get my kids to sit down to listen to an entire book. I could never get … read more

Getting Back on Schedule
April 19, 2012
Summertime and vacations often means having more lax schedules. We stay up a little later, or skip a nap or two. This is just part of the fun, but the problem comes when it’s time to settle back into that … read more

Thumb Sucking
April 17, 2012
My daughter is five, and she has already begun to lose her baby teeth. I don’t know about anyone else, but I really love the snaggletooth stage that kids of this age go through. It is sort of endearing to … read more

Taking Kids to the Dentist
April 15, 2012
If your kids are about two, and haven’t already made the trip it’s time for them to go visit a dentist. I don’t particularly enjoy going to the dentist (like most people!) so I tend to drag my feet even … read more

Getting the Body Back
April 13, 2012
After you finally have your baby you might be itching to get your pre-pregnancy body back. Goodness knows I always am. It’s hard to remember, but it’s true that if it takes you nine months to gain the weight, you … read more

Oversharing Online
April 11, 2012
Our world is absolutely one based on technology and I have to admit that it has it’s fair share of perks. However, with the freedom people sometimes feel expressing themselves online and on social media sites, it stands that we … read more

Post Pregnancy Skin
April 9, 2012
Those first few weeks after giving birth are hard in so many ways. You’re tired, exhausted more like it. You are full of emotions some that make sense, others that don’t. Overwhelmed is generally a huge understatement. On top of … read more

Balloon Surprises
April 7, 2012
I love birthdays! Now that I have kids they have become even more fun. There is nothing like celebrating with a child. They get such joy out of the smallest things. There is nothing quite like listening to a little … read more

Why Are You a Teacher?
April 5, 2012
Let me start by saying I have a lot of love and respect for teachers as a group. My life has been altered and enriched by many adults who have chosen this honored and most important profession. It is precisely … read more

Overwhelmed Advice
April 3, 2012
A good friend of mine recently gave birth to her very first child. An amazing baby boy. Every time I see her, or read her posts on Facebook, she seems completely overwhelmed. At first I assumed it was because having … read more

Should We Censor What Kids Read?
March 31, 2012
My almost 12 year-old daughter came running home the other day excited about a new book she had just picked up from the library, “The Hunger Games.” It turned out that she’d been waiting to get this book for several … read more

Robin Hood Parents
March 29, 2012
I’m guessing that anyone with siblings will be able to relate to this topic. When I was growing up I was taught that parents should never have a favorite child or treat their children differently based on preference (even if, … read more

Kick Counts
March 27, 2012
When you are finally far enough along in your pregnancy to consistently feel your little one moving, your doctor might suggest doing kick counts. They are exactly what they sound like, counting the kicks your baby makes in a set … read more

Dinner from Hell
March 25, 2012
I don’t think that I’m alone when I admit that my wife is usually in charge of our social calendar. Often I don’t know anything about where we’re going or with whom until I’m in the car and have to … read more

Homemade Facials
March 23, 2012
My four year old daughter, who is nothing if not fantastic decided she wanted to give me a spa day for my birthday. Her rationalization was that all mommies needed a day to feel good. I couldn’t disagree with that … read more

Post Pregnancy Body
March 21, 2012
If you’ve had a baby, or are currently pregnant, then you won’t be surprised about your body’s miraculous transformation. It’s easy to panic when you think about all the changes you have gone through to bring that special little person … read more

Super Why!
March 19, 2012
I am so picky about television shows that my kids watch. I am not one to turn on the set and walk away letting them see whatever is on. To the contrary, I sit down with my kids and we … read more

Keeping the Older Kids Busy
March 17, 2012
One of my challenges having two older kids and a newborn baby is keeping the older two busy while I feed or change the little one. At two, my son doesn’t quite understand being patient, or that his little brother … read more

Don’t Lose Yourself
March 15, 2012
Having a newborn baby is so much fun. There is no creature so dependent, so full of love and adoration, and perfect as your new child. With all of this joy, comes a heavy dose of exhaustion and busyness. It … read more

Crazy Voices
March 9, 2012
I hate when I hear people reading to kids and they sound so dead pan and monotone. I mean, really, how can a child’s imagination grow and become immersed in the story that way? It made me pay more attention … read more

Eating Out
March 7, 2012
Do you get annoyed when you go out to eat and see little kids acting like fools and being disruptive? I do. I’m a parent to three, and it drives me nuts. I’ve been on the other side and worked … read more

Kids and Politics
March 5, 2012
With the political campaign season again upon us, involving children in the process can prove to be an enriching educational opportunity. There are many positives as well as a few pitfalls to look out for when bringing your children into … read more

Surviving a Vacation with Baby
March 3, 2012
We all need a vacation, even baby. However, vacationing with a baby can be extra stressful. With a little planning, and a few extra deep breaths, you can have a completely relaxing vacation. If you’re traveling with an infant only … read more

Telling Older Kids
February 29, 2012
No matter how many times you’ve done it before, telling older kids about a new baby can be tricky. Every kid is different and responds differently to the news. Some are young enough that it doesn’t mean much to them, … read more

Monster Meter
February 25, 2012
We all either have a kid or know a kid who is afraid of monsters. With my daughter (now five) simply showing her with the lights on that nothing was there worked great. She is a fairly reasonable kid. My … read more

Bad Hair Days
February 23, 2012
You’re a mom, and you’re busy. As such, your hair suffers. You wear the ever comfortable pony tail or hair bun. But I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to cut … read more

Bob Books
February 21, 2012
We are well on our way to having a four year old who can read. She does fantastic with all words about five letters or shorter. We have a small panic when she sees a word much bigger than that, … read more

Getting Up Before the Kids
February 19, 2012
I may be the last to discover this, but getting up before my kids wake up is the best thing in the world. I hate mornings, I have since I was a child. It’s so hard for me to get … read more

Princesses and Superheroes
February 17, 2012
I don’t know about you but I am constantly hearing people talking about how much they hate the “princess” phenomenon. Having a little girl I am definitely bombarded by all things pink and sparkly. While I don’t admit to enjoying … read more

Staying Ahead of the Game
February 15, 2012
As I sat at my computer writing an article my 9 year-old daughter asked me how long I was planning on using the computer. She had a friend over and said that they needed to work on a project for … read more

Teaching Kids First Aid and CPR
February 14, 2012
Growing up with a dad who served in military Special Forces gave me a little bit of a different upbringing than most other children. Learning survival skills and self-defense training beginning at the age of 5 seemed pretty normal to … read more

The Surrey Family
February 13, 2012
After talking with them and hearing how “green” of a life they lived, I felt a little guilty. Compared to them I was definitely not doing enough Just last week, after I finished shopping with my 9 year-old daughter, we … read more

Medicines For Kids
February 11, 2012
Kids get sick, it’s an unfortunate fact of life. There are somethings you should be aware of when it comes to giving them medicines. First and foremost, kids do not get aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to giving kids Reyes … read more

Accepting the Changes
February 9, 2012
Being pregnant, it becomes so easy to be overwhelmed with what we want to happen, what we think should happen, and what turns out to be reality. It can become so easy to focus on our ideal labor that when … read more

De-Stressing
February 7, 2012
All parents find themselves at one time or another in a state of utter stress. Whether it’s related to kids, home, work, school, family, or any combination we all face it. I have yet to meet a mom who was … read more

Take your Kids to Work
February 5, 2012
Yesterday I had a full day planned with my children- a color war (sports and games) for my children and ten other friends at the park. The kids had two days off from school for parent-teacher conferences so I took … read more

License to Parent
February 3, 2012
A friend of mine asked me for some DVD’s of horrific car crashes because he knew that I had taught some driver safety courses in the past. When I asked why he wanted them he said that they were for … read more

Discussing your Will
February 1, 2012
I attended a funeral the other day, which was part one of two separate funeral services. I’d never heard of it before but evidently the family was fighting and each of the two siblings hosted his own funeral ceremony. I … read more

Other Parents Disciplining Your Kids
January 29, 2012
There isn’t anything that I hate more than when another parent disciplines my kids. Actually, that’s not entirely true. If I’m not around and my kid is trying to get away with murder, I would prefer another adult to step … read more

Don’t Pass the Buck
January 27, 2012
There are a few things in life that drive me absolutely crazy but my number one is a person’s lack of consideration for other people and/or nature. Don’t even get me started about people polluting, not caring to recycle, or … read more

Learning by Observing
January 25, 2012
I recently took my children ice-skating and it brought back memories of when my dad taught me to skate. My dad is very ‘old school’ and always brought his own skates from home. Not just regular old skates but ‘speed … read more

Discussing Homelessness
January 23, 2012
I recently stopped in to a sandwich shop to grab a bite with my six year-old son. While we were waiting to order a disheveled and dirty looking man walked up and down the line of patrons, with his hand … read more

Re-gifting vs Recycling
January 21, 2012
I realize that opinions might be strong on this topic – unwanted gifts – re-gift or not? Ever had a birthday party and noticed the old creased box that has a small tear mark from where the old tape was … read more

Can You Buy Me Something?
January 19, 2012
A few months ago my family went to an amusement park for my 9 year-old daughter’s birthday. It was a gorgeous day and as usual we split up – my wife took my two older daughters on the wild and … read more

When to Take it Personally
January 17, 2012
Traditionally Saturday Night is Movie Night at our house. With four young kids the cost of actually going out to the movies is so high that we have made a big production at home. The kids make their own popcorn, … read more

No!
January 15, 2012
Your toddler’s favorite word is no. They say it even when they mean to say yes. Or when they mean to say maybe. They even say it when they mean to say hi. It’s just the first word out of … read more

Business School for Kids
January 14, 2012
My 11 year-old daughter came home from school the other day upset because she was told that she could no longer sell her homemade barrettes at school. She’d been making them at home for quite a while with her younger … read more

Getting Shots
January 13, 2012
No one likes getting shots. Sadly for kids, they need to have them. As parents, we hate to see them cry, but we are rational and understand that it’s for the greater good. Your five year old, may not be … read more

Apples can fall far from the tree
January 12, 2012
How often do we get angry at our children and when they misbehave try to attribute their poor behavior to our spouse and say, ‘You’re just like your Mother/Father!’ Of course, the opposite is true when they do something good … read more

Starting Solids
January 11, 2012
My youngest child has reached my absolute favorite stage. Starting solids. I don’t know why but I seriously get a kick out of watching their faces when babies try a new food or texture. I also love those little lip … read more

Party Crashers
January 9, 2012
A couple of months ago I picked the short straw and ended up being chauffeur for the day. I took my 7-year old to a birthday party, and my 5-year old came along for the ride, allegedly. But it turned … read more

Constipated Babies
January 7, 2012
Let’s talk BM, yes Bowel Movement. Excited? I know, me too. Recently my four month old has stopped pooping every day. Instead he is opting for the every other day method. This really wouldn’t be such a big deal, except … read more

Learning a 2nd Language
January 6, 2012
Growing up, 25-30 years ago (seeing those numbers is frightening!) I remember my parents debating as to whether or not to speak their native language with my siblings and I at home. Back then there was also a stigma against … read more

Kids and Cliques
January 4, 2012
This is an article for most kids to read on their own (younger ones might need some adult help) because they’re the ones who are going to be dealing with cliques. Besides, sometimes advice is more easily taken when it … read more

Getting Kids to Practice
January 2, 2012
The importance of music in a child’s development has been researched and proven over and over again. Music improves coordination, concentration, self-confidence, and provides structure. At the very least, it is certainly a better use of time than spacing out … read more

Sticks and Stones… Reframing
December 30, 2011
Most of us have heard the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” I’m not sure who came up with that saying but I can assure you it wasn’t a therapist. Not … read more

No Gifts, Please!
December 28, 2011
Why would a child not want to receive gifts at their birthday party? read more

Good, Bad and Forgotten
December 23, 2011
While watching the news last week with my older children the Jerry Sandusky story came on. They were curious about it after the 3-minute news blurb was over. Their barrage of questions gave me the moment I needed to decide … read more

Parent-Teacher Conference Checklist
December 22, 2011
11 questions you need to ask your child’s teacher when its conference time! read more

Children and Homework
December 19, 2011
Sitting down with my children while they are doing homework is a luxury I don’t have. Maybe it’s for the better, but the fact is that while they are doing homework I am working/cooking/cleaning up/taking care of our pets or … read more

True Lives
December 16, 2011
Is it ok to save a few dollars by being a little dishonest? read more

Meet the Baby-Que
November 14, 2011
My third pregnancy is coming to an end, thankfully. I’m not one of the lucky ladies who enjoys being pregnant. The first time around really was the best for me. Maybe that was because I didn’t know what was coming, … read more

Baby Monitor? It depends
November 3, 2011
Do you really need a baby monitor? It depends, how good is your hearing? How loud does your baby cry? How big is your house, and how far away is your child’s room? My kid’s rooms are upstairs while mine … read more

Setting Children Up to Fail
October 24, 2011
Sounds crazy, I know! Yet many of us unintentionally set unrealistic goals for our children and try to avoid the topic of alternative options (otherwise known as: reality). What I’m talking about here is a little different from the issues … read more

Beginners Photography
October 15, 2011
Want to get great photographs of your kids? read more

Bounce house
September 25, 2011
This past week we had cold weather. After temperatures well in the 80s its very hard going back to low 50s! Especially for kids, who want to play outside all day. By about day three of this weather, we decided … read more

Pick Up a Project
September 12, 2011
While driving home from gymnastics with my six year old son he reminded me of my promise of a toy chest for his room. We’d gone looking once or twice but the prices were astronomical for a little box made … read more

Labor Fears
August 20, 2011
As you near your due date it is completely common to start having fears about labor and delivery. I’m approaching my third, and I still find things to worry about. Even though I know what to expect. Each labor was … read more

My Daughter the Author
July 20, 2011
My daughter is at that age where her imagination is out of this world. About 18 months ago, she looked at me and said, “Mommy, tell me a story about a dragon named Oreo.” So it began, I started the … read more

Car seats expire?
July 19, 2011
This came as a huge surprise to me, so I am going to take a chance and assume that it is in fact news to others. Car seats, booster seats, and infant carriers expire. Thankfully they last longer than your … read more

Bouncy Seats vs. Swings
July 17, 2011
Figuring out what you need for your baby can be daunting. Stores give you an exhaustive list of things that you need. Are they must haves or are stores trying to get you to buy more? My favorite example is … read more

Preschool Pressure
July 15, 2011
My daughter is four. She is not in preschool. There, I said it. Does this make me a terrible mother? I certainly don’t think so, but to many it makes me the worst kind of mother. Not only is she … read more

Top 8 Pregnancy Books
July 11, 2011
With each of my pregnancies I have done tons of reading. I like to read about other women’s experiences, what worked for them, what didn’t. I enjoy humor, and I enjoy straight forward facts. There are so many books out … read more

Nighttime Fears
July 10, 2011
My son has reached that magical age where he is fully aware of his surroundings. His independence has made him willful and opinionated. With all this comes new fears. He fears the unknown, mommy and daddy leaving, strange things on … read more

Family Getaways
July 2, 2011
Summer vacation is the perfect time to plan a family getaway. My kids aren’t quite up for the big trips just yet, but each summer I have a blast considering all the places I want to take them, and all … read more

Life – Interrupted
June 26, 2011
I recently found myself sliding down the slippery slope at home of interrupting conversations and only half-listening to stories as I answered texts, checked emails, and inadvertently gave everyone else priority over my family. I had a general rule for … read more

Co-sleeping?
June 25, 2011
I was recently introduced to the concept of co-sleeping. I apparently don’t pay much attention to the way others parent so I had no idea what this meant. I did some research and discovered that in America co-sleeping and bed … read more

R.L.S.? Yep!
June 22, 2011
It’s the end of a long day. You have finally gotten into bed and found that ever so elusive comfortable position. Here it comes, you can feel yourself drifting off to dream land. When out of nowhere your leg begins … read more

Choosing Guardians
June 18, 2011
Once you have kids it is time to start thinking about their futures. I’m not strictly talking about financial matters either. While saving for their college education is obviously important there are other things you should think about first. Heaven … read more

Don’t Speak!
June 17, 2011
I had an epiphany the other day. One of my children was pestering me intentionally (or so it seemed) trying to irritate me and push my buttons. And no one pushes my buttons as efficiently as my children or my … read more

Father’s Day Gift Unwrapped
June 15, 2011
With Father’s Day fast approaching we are inundated by the media with suggestions for “The Best Father’s Day Gifts.” With all of the hoopla, which list is right? I’m skeptical because they don’t know each of us and most list … read more

Family Camp
June 7, 2011
As summertime approaches the question that pops up all around is, “What are your kids doing for the summer?” and “Which camp are they going to?” I used to try to avoid the topic or just say that we hadn’t … read more

Kids and Cell Phones?
June 3, 2011
There’s nothing more amusing (or sad depending on how you look at it) than seeing a half-pint kid talking on a cell-phone, during recess time, like s/he is trying to close on some big-time business deal. Some parents start getting … read more

Older Sibling Gifts
May 31, 2011
The other day someone asked what I was giving my older children as gifts when our newest baby arrives. To be honest, I hadn’t thought about that. I never knew that you were supposed to give the other kids gifts. … read more

Maddie Uses a Coupon
May 29, 2011
I find so much joy in teaching my kids about money. How to save it, how to spend it, how to give it, how to respect it. You can imagine my delight when my four year old daughter decided to … read more

Encouraging Labor
May 27, 2011
Once you reach the end of your pregnancy, you may become desperate to get that baby out already! The third trimester can be quite uncomfortable to say the least. With my first two I was desperate by 38 weeks. I … read more

It’s Okay to Hate It
May 23, 2011
I often hear women say how they will never admit to the fact that they dislike being pregnant. They don’t want their children to think they disliked creating them, or what not. Personally, I think that is absolutely ridiculous. I … read more

Encouraging Hand Washing
May 20, 2011
As a parent, you know the virtues of hand washing. I don’t know what age we are when we finally understand that washing our hands (especially after using the bathroom) is so vital. It seems my kids think that hand … read more

Things you never say
May 18, 2011
Recently I sat around with a few of my girlfriends who are also expecting a baby soon. After gushing about our future babies, their clothes, nurseries, and our delivery plans we got on to a topic much more entertaining. Things … read more

Gestational Diabetes
May 17, 2011
Once you hit the magical 26-28 week of your pregnancy your midwife or OB will test you for gestational diabetes. Sometimes gestational diabetes will be present without any symptoms, so it is important to get this test completed. Gestational diabetes … read more

Pups and Babies
May 15, 2011
Dogs are pack animals, and don’t always enjoy when a new member of their pack unexpectedly joins. Especially when it becomes clear that the new pack member is now higher up in rank. There are things you can do to … read more

Older Kids and Labor
May 13, 2011
If you are pregnant with your second (third, fourth or even fifth) child you may be worried about what to do with your older kids when you go into labor. It is such a common fear that every pregnant woman … read more

Non Food Cravings
May 11, 2011
When you are pregnant you often become accustomed to craving all sorts of strange foods, or combinations of foods. You may even crave foods that you normally don’t enjoy while pregnant. We have all heard about pregnant women wanting to … read more

To Induce or Not
May 10, 2011
This is my third pregnancy. Twice I had perfect labors. Once for 23 hours, and one for just two. It is that fact, that my OB has suggested inducing me at 39 weeks. Both of my other children came within … read more

Kids and Restaurant Manners
May 8, 2011
A few days ago my husband and I decided to take our kids out for breakfast. It was a nice little unexpected treat. Once we were settled at the restaurant I began to realize that this was probably the third … read more

Unwanted Belly Touching
May 6, 2011
What possesses complete strangers to touch my belly is a mystery that I fear I will never solve. read more

Kids Sharing a Room
May 4, 2011
But I worry about eventually putting a baby into the same room as a toddler. How will I handle night time feedings? read more

Easy Snicker Doodles Recipe
May 3, 2011
My four year old can practically make them herself! read more

Kids and BMI
May 2, 2011
BMI can be estimated with height and weight, but it is not exact. read more

Your Friend Had a Baby
May 1, 2011
Here is some advice for when your best friend has a baby. read more

The Great Spring Clean
April 30, 2011
Secretly I love to spring clean. Sometimes I even add a fresh coat of paint to freshen things up. read more

Big Girls Wipe Their Own Tushies
April 29, 2011
Some suggestions on keeping their posterior pristine. read more

Morning Sickness
April 28, 2011
Causes and tips on how to make it stop! read more

Temper Tantrums
April 27, 2011
Some advice on every parent’s biggest annoyance – especially when those tantrums happen in public. read more

Pregnancy Beauty
April 26, 2011
Beautiful is just not the word I would choose. I would have gone with astonishing, or miraculous. Not necessarily beautiful. read more

First Sleep Overs
April 24, 2011
Those first sleep overs can be a big deal. If something feels off, it probably is. read more

Junk Food – Get it Out!
April 23, 2011
It’s best to not have it around at all. read more

Pregnancy Insomnia
April 22, 2011
I am 22 weeks pregnant with my third child, and I cannot sleep to save my life. read more

Chores and Allowance
April 21, 2011
How to teach them to save and how to spend, coming from one mom’s experience with motivating her kids. read more

Airline Travel During Pregnancy
April 20, 2011
Tips for flying the pregnant skies. read more

Spring Cleaning
April 19, 2011
Get started by donating your unneeded things. read more

Hand-Me-Downs
April 18, 2011
Ideas for passing clothes down or buying used, and it’s not nearly as bad as you think. read more

Raising Talkers
April 17, 2011
A smart, simple way to not ‘hurted’ their feeling.s read more

Meatballs Recipe
April 16, 2011
A great recipe for making tasty meatballs! read more

Mom Confessions
April 15, 2011
17 things that might surprise you about being a mom. read more

Unfriendly Advice
April 14, 2011
Ever hear advice that you just weren’t looking for? read more

Pregnancy Fears
April 13, 2011
What’s rational and what’s not? read more

Creating Baby Registries
April 12, 2011
Tips on creating registries for that all-important new birthday! read more

Making a Baby
April 10, 2011
Tips on getting pregnant for the rest of us. read more

Grandparent’s Role
April 9, 2011
What’s their level of comfort, and what’s yours? read more

To Tell or Not To Tell
April 8, 2011
Do you let the world know about your baby’s gender? read more

Ultrasound Preparedness
April 8, 2011
Be Prepared is the Boy Scout motto, and it’s mine too. read more

Packing for the Airport
April 7, 2011
Don’t forget the Pillow Pets! read more

Coffee – A Wake Up Call
April 6, 2011
How much is a cup of joe really worth? Find out the details. read more

Dressing the Bump
April 4, 2011
Maternity fashions have come a long way in recent years. read more

Stop Interrupting!
April 4, 2011
Being able to finish a sentence can be a rarity, unless you know what to do. read more

Happily Ever Laughter
April 3, 2011
A good laugh has more benefits than just working your stomach muscles. read more

Choosing the Right Childcare
April 2, 2011
11 Tips on finding the right place for your kids. read more

Sharing custody – Practice what you Preach
April 1, 2011
Sometimes you will need to agree to disagree. read more

Birthdays and Holidays after Separation/Divorce
March 31, 2011
How to handle the details without sweating them. read more

Learning Reality
March 31, 2011
Kids have lots of questions about things that are and aren’t so real. read more

Dating after Divorce
March 30, 2011
Dating again now that you are older and wiser can be exciting, and daunting. read more

Packing for the Hospital
March 30, 2011
16 things to remember before heading to the hospital. read more

Talking to Kids about Divorce
March 28, 2011
10 Tips for discussing divorce with your kids. read more

The Cost of Formula
March 27, 2011
Baby formula is expensive – here are some pointers. read more

Money Smart Kids
March 26, 2011
Get them on a budget too. They’ll thank you someday. read more

Contact Sports
March 25, 2011
Some helpful hints for the big sporting decisions. read more

Coupons
March 20, 2011
The key to coupons is only buying what you would normally buy. read more

A Working Play Date?
March 19, 2011
Have fun AND get some stuff done too. read more

Make Pizza
March 18, 2011
Making your own actually saves a lot of money. read more

Boys and Girls are Different?
March 17, 2011
It’s tiring living inside two pretend worlds at the same time. Exhausting really. read more

Mommy’s Night Out
March 17, 2011
Keeping sane while being a mom takes some effort. read more

Can We Get a Dog, Please?
March 16, 2011
Dogs are a privilege and are a great way to teach your children about responsibility. read more

TV Time
March 15, 2011
Set some simple rules for your home. read more

Creepy Climbers
March 14, 2011
How dangerous is ‘Auto-Pay’? read more

Creative Playdates
March 13, 2011
Keep things exciting and original and full of imagination when it’s time for a Playdate. read more

Put the Kids to Bed Early
March 11, 2011
It’s just as important to have some time for yourselves. read more

Keeping Sane and Soothing
March 11, 2011
Stay sane from babies crying with these pointers. read more

Not Pizza, Again!
March 10, 2011
A kid’s opinion on that round starch disk with cheese on top. read more

Wear More Than One Hat
March 9, 2011
Multi-tasking for parents in the 21st century. read more

Mommy Time Management Revisited
March 8, 2011
More Tips for Mommy Time Management Success read more

TV or not TV
March 7, 2011
Children are flexible and will adapt to their surroundings. read more

Mommy Time Management Tips
March 6, 2011
Here are my tips for how I keep things working in our home. read more

Dragon Soup
March 5, 2011
Tasty soup full of imagination. read more

Pregnancy – The Third Trimester
March 5, 2011
What to expect in the third trimester of pregnancy. read more

Pregnancy – The Second Trimester
March 4, 2011
What to expect in the second trimester of pregnancy. read more

10 Minute Move
March 4, 2011
Get moving and burn some calories. read more

Pregnancy – The First Trimester
March 3, 2011
What to expect in the first 3 month of pregnancy. read more

A Ladybug’s Point of View
March 3, 2011
The world according to a four year old. read more

Counting on Math
March 2, 2011
Here’s hoping for geniuses. read more

My Poop Discovery
March 2, 2011
Do the diaper math and save! read more

Balancing Work and Parenting
March 1, 2011
Have your cake and eat it too. It just might be low-fat. read more

How Much is a Dollar Worth? Think Again!
March 1, 2011
Think of this the next time you spend money. read more

A Stroke of Genius – Have You Seen It?
March 1, 2011
The more you learn, through either reading or hands-on, the more experience you gain. read more

Classes to Consider Before Your Baby Arrives
February 28, 2011
Tips on educating yourself before the big day comes. read more

Having “The Talk”
February 28, 2011
Talking with Your Kids about… Ess. Eee. Exx. read more

Over Parenting
February 27, 2011
There’s a balance between smothering and neglect. We help you find it. read more

Birth Plan Checklist
February 27, 2011
Lots of tips on making a perfect birth plan. read more

Getting Kids to Clean
February 25, 2011
Make it easier on them to make it easier on you. read more

Keeping Away Colds
February 23, 2011
Your best defense is a good offense. read more

Refinishing a Crib
February 18, 2011
Why buy a new one when you can reboot an old one? read more

Pregnancy Cravings
February 16, 2011
Cravings are normal, and your baby will thank you for giving in! read more

Birthday Olympics
February 15, 2011
A kid’s view on an original birthday party idea. read more

Heart Pancakes
February 14, 2011
Annual tradition on the day of love. read more

Bad Dream Blues
January 29, 2011
Monster spray would be a great invention, but in the meantime read more

Extracurricular Activities – When is it too Much?
January 24, 2011
Tips on not letting your kids get overwhelmed by after-school stuff. read more

Should I Let Them Sleepover?
January 19, 2011
To sleep over or not to sleep over, that is the question. read more

Leg Warmers
January 14, 2011
Leg warmers are a nice touch on top of tights on extremely cold days. read more

Epic Gross
January 6, 2011
Sickness invades Mrs. Playdate’s household. And it’s disgusting. read more

Tinkerbell Bracelet
January 4, 2011
Not all toys are perfect out of the box. read more

Beat the Rush Hour
December 29, 2010
Getting them off to school doesn’t have to be total insanity. read more

Making Room
December 12, 2010
More kids = less room; here are some steps to follow. read more

Swirly Ornaments
December 10, 2010
It’s Holiday Craft Time at Playdate! Make your own ornaments. read more

Imagination Movers
December 7, 2010
Don’t let TV get in the way of imagination. read more

Christmas Tradition
December 4, 2010
Enjoy your holiday traditions no matter your financial situations. read more

Holiday Travel
December 2, 2010
Gee the traffic is terrific. Thanks Como, that joke never gets old. read more

Baking Makes the World Better
December 1, 2010
I’d like to bake the world a cake… read more

Christmas Light Show
December 1, 2010
Make memories and be dazzled with your neighborhood shows. read more

Drop ‘N’ Shop
November 30, 2010
Drop them off and shop – what a great idea! read more

Sing-a-Ma-Jig
November 29, 2010
Just what we need, another toy that makes noise. read more

The ‘D’ Word
November 24, 2010
Handling bad behavior isn’t so bad. It just takes a little D. read more

My Favorite Sweeper
November 23, 2010
Something I can’t live without: my Swiffer Vac. read more

Thanksgiving Craft
November 16, 2010
Turkey Day totally fun ideas for fun stuff to do. read more

Why I dislike Pillow Pets
November 12, 2010
Relax, it’s not what you think – they’re actually great. read more

back to top^

<a href="http://media-d.optimalfusion.com/w/1.0/rc?cs=4f3af0c3a325c&cb="><img src="http://media-d.optimalfusion.com/w/1.0/ai?auid=153445&cs=4f3af0c3a325c&cb=" border="0" alt=""></a>

other posts

Here are some more articles to check out:

<a href="http://media-d.optimalfusion.com/w/1.0/rc?cs=4f3af0c3a325c&cb="><img src="http://media-d.optimalfusion.com/w/1.0/ai?auid=145023&cs=4f3af0c3a325c&cb=" border="0" alt=""></a>

playdate poll

Do your kids complain of being bored?Market Research

playdate top articles

Business Playdate | May 22, 2013
Minimizing Distractions | May 17, 2013
Shaving Cream Playdate | May 15, 2013
Homemade Chocolate Syrup | May 13, 2013
Water Balloon Pinatas | May 10, 2013
Sidewalk Paint | May 08, 2013
Gender Reveal Ideas | May 06, 2013
Saving without Compromising | May 03, 2013

view more>

<a href="http://media-d.optimalfusion.com/w/1.0/rc?cs=4f3af0c3a325c&cb="><img src="http://media-d.optimalfusion.com/w/1.0/ai?auid=145024&cs=4f3af0c3a325c&cb=" border="0" alt=""></a>

<a href="http://media-d.optimalfusion.com/w/1.0/rc?cs=5165d6ca1e92b&cb=" ><img src="http://media-d.optimalfusion.com/w/1.0/ai?auid=399497&cs=5165d6ca1e92b&cb=" border="0" alt=""></a>