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All Playdate Articles

High Viral Loads Make Kids ‘Silent Spreaders’ of COVID-19
August 20, 2020
THURSDAY, Aug. 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The largest study of its kind finds that children can carry exceedingly high amounts of the new coronavirus, even in the absence of symptoms. Researchers say that could make them ideal “silent spreaders” … read more

Clotting Tied to COVID-19 May Harm the Placenta
May 27, 2020
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Women who had COVID-19 while pregnant showed evidence of placental injury, suggesting a new complication of the illness, researchers say. The good news from the small study of 16 women is that “most … read more

‘Kangaroo Care’ Has Big Health Benefits For Preemies
May 25, 2020
MONDAY, May 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Skin-to-skin contact between parents and babies — often called “kangaroo care” — provides major benefits to preemies’ hearts and brains, Australian researchers say. They assessed 40 babies born about 10 weeks early with … read more

Babies Are Spared Severe COVID-19 Symptoms
March 16, 2020
MONDAY, March 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Infants can become infected with the new coronavirus, but their bouts with COVID-19 appear to be milder than those of older folks and people with chronic health problems, experts say. Doctors in China … read more

Sleepless Babies May Face Emotional Troubles as Kids
March 10, 2020
TUESDAY, March 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Infants with chronic serious sleep problems may be at increased risk for anxiety and emotional disorders later in childhood, according to a new study from Australia. “Persistent disturbed sleep during infancy may be … read more

Secrets to Soothing a Cranky Baby Safely
September 5, 2019
THURSDAY, Sept. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Trying to calm a cranky baby can be stressful for parents, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has an important caution about what not to do. Don’t place baby in a so-called … read more

How to Protect Your Baby Against Eczema
August 22, 2019
THURSDAY, Aug. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Using a rich moisturizer, even an inexpensive one like petroleum jelly, is one part of keeping eczema under control. Now researchers have found that this skin care step can keep many newborns at … read more

How to Protect Your Baby From Unsafe Products
July 24, 2019
WEDNESDAY, July 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In an average year, close to 70,000 children under age 5 go to the emergency department because of injuries from common nursery items, according to the journal Pediatrics. About 90% of these injuries … read more

How to Soothe Baby’s Teething Pain Safely
May 9, 2019
THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Few things are as distressing as baby’s cries when his or her first teeth are coming in, but it’s important to know what not to use to soothe that pain. Over the years, … read more

How to Protect Your Child From Choking
May 6, 2019
MONDAY, May 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Eating solid foods is a milestone in your child’s life. With the right precautions to reduce the risk of choking, you can make this a safe transition. Teach children to sit up straight … read more

How to Tame Morning Chaos
April 30, 2019
TUESDAY, April 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Are your mornings always chaotic? Between making breakfast, packing lunches, getting everyone dressed and hunting for homework assignments, it’s easy to feel like you’ve put in a day’s worth of work before 9 … read more

Nearly 700,000 Infant Rocking Sleepers Recalled Due to Infant Deaths
April 29, 2019
MONDAY, April 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The Kids II company is recalling nearly 700,000 of its Rocking Sleepers for infants, after reports of babies dying have been linked to the products’ use. In an announcement posted Friday on the … read more

How Much Does Your Kid Weigh? Chances Are, You’re Underestimating
April 28, 2019
SUNDAY, April 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Parents and doctors often overlook how overweight kids are, which could leave youngsters at increased risk for health problems linked to excess weight, British researchers say. They reviewed 87 studies that included nearly … read more

When You Go From a Family of 3 to a Family of 4
November 23, 2018
FRIDAY, Nov. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Wondering if having a second child will affect your marriage even more than baby number one did? There’s no doubt that having a baby and changing from a couple into a family requires … read more

Bringing Baby in a Lyft, Uber? Child Car Seats Are Rarely Included
November 9, 2018
FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are wide variations between states when it comes to child restraint rules for ride-share services such as Lyft and Uber, researchers report. This can cause uncertainty and confusion for parents and other … read more

Experts Sound Warning About ‘Baby Boxes’
October 18, 2018
THURSDAY, Oct. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cardboard baby boxes are gaining fans, but are they as safe as cribs and bassinets? Experts say no. Without supporting evidence, “the cardboard baby box should not be promoted as a safe sleeping … read more

A-C-T to Prevent Hot Car Tragedies
July 7, 2018
SATURDAY, July 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Every nine days, a child dies in a hot car in the United States, but a safety expert says such tragedies can easily be prevented. “Three letters can help drivers remember to take … read more

Smart Steps for a Safe Nursery
June 27, 2018
WEDNESDAY, June 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Getting a nursery ready for a new baby can be a lot of fun, but keep in mind these important considerations to make it a safe haven. For crib safety, choose a new … read more

More Than 1 Day of First-Trimester Bleeding Ups Odds for Smaller Baby
May 10, 2018
THURSDAY, May 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Some first-trimester bleeding occurs in up to 1 in every 4 pregnancies. Now, new research suggests that if bleeding extends beyond a day there could be implications for baby’s birth weight. The study … read more

Rear-Facing Car Seats Protect Tots in Crashes From Behind: Study
April 3, 2018
TUESDAY, April 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Rear-facing car seats provide effective protection for children in rear-end crashes, researchers say. Previous studies have shown that rear-facing car seats significantly reduce infant and toddler injuries and deaths in front- and side-impact … read more

Baby Sitters, Relatives Often Unaware of SIDS Risk
April 2, 2018
MONDAY, April 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A baby’s risk of death from being placed in an unsafe sleeping position or location is higher when they’re under the care of a baby sitter, relative or friend, a new study found. … read more

Window Blinds: A Silent Killer in Your Home
December 11, 2017
MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Decades after the danger was first recognized, young children are still being injured or even killed by the cords in window blinds. Researchers found that between 1990 and 2015, nearly 17,000 U.S. children … read more

Babies Start Connecting Words Early On
November 21, 2017
MONDAY, Nov. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Babies apparently have a better understanding of adults’ language than you might think. New research reveals that they can identify the meanings of some words and even recognize that some words are more … read more

Parents Getting Better at Using Car Seats Safely
September 15, 2017
But older kids often miss out on booster seats read more

Too Many Babies Still Placed on Stomach to Sleep: Study
August 21, 2017
Pediatric experts recommend infants always sleep on their backs to avoid SIDS read more

Time for Some Summer Sun Safety Tips
June 18, 2017
Pediatricians offer advice on preventing sunburns, other warm weather problems read more

Can Sharing Your Bedroom With Baby Come With Risks?
June 5, 2017
Despite latest guidelines, odds of poorer sleep and SIDS are higher, study finds read more

Hospital ‘Baby Boxes’ May Help Prevent SIDS in Newborns
May 26, 2017
The innovative take-home gift helped curb the dangerous practice of bed-sharing, study found read more

Fewer SIDS Deaths in U.S., But Gaps Among Racial Groups Remain
May 15, 2017
Sudden infant deaths are twice as common for blacks as whites, study finds read more

How to Protect Your Child From Accidental Poisoning
April 9, 2017
Kids under 6 account for 1 million calls to U.S. poison control centers a year read more

More Babies in Strollers, Cribs Winding Up in ER: Study
March 13, 2017
Concussions driving upswing, with only 1 percent of cases blamed on product failure read more

Dressing Baby for a Safe Winter Drive
February 5, 2017
Avoid bulky clothing, American Academy of Pediatrics says read more

Curbing Excess Weight Gain in Pregnancy May Not Lower Risk for Complications
January 27, 2017
Study found no benefit, suggesting that obesity’s effects on a pregnancy may begin before conception read more

Pediatricians Say No to Wearable Smartphone Baby Monitors
January 24, 2017
Sensors in infant clothing that track ‘vitals’ can cause unnecessary alarm, report says read more

How to Spot a Common, Potentially Dangerous, Childhood Illness
January 11, 2017
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is similar to a cold but can lead to complications that include pneumonia read more

Confessions of a Twisted Sister
March 25, 2016
Dear Mrs. Playdate, My uncle age 37, had recently fallen on hard times and lost his job. So, my mom (his older sister) invited him to come to live with us, about a month ago, until he got back on … read more

The Best Way to Handle Spoiled Children
February 17, 2016
My 12 year-old daughter recently became a vegetarian. Though I’m not, I encouraged her to try it. This entailed having to make special dishes for every meal which was more work, but I was more than happy to support her. … read more

Testing your Child’s Honesty
February 12, 2016
Okay, I admit it. I test people all the time. It’s the only way I know to build trust. I do it with people from work, my friends and even family members. I don’t mean to be offensive and I … read more

Listening Without Hearing
February 5, 2016
My oldest daughter (15 years old) just came back from her class trip, where they went on a hike for the day to Santa Monica National Park. Yes, it’s a National Park and is beautiful, though not many people know … read more

Dealing with Slackers at Home
February 2, 2016
Is it just me or are there people out there who have mastered the art of getting out of work? Somehow, they’re able to pawn things off on everyone else causing others’ workload to increase, while they sit back and … read more

Don’t Pull a Dog’s Tail
January 29, 2016
This article isn’t literally about dogs, although a dog’s tail is an extension of their spine, has small hairs and is extremely sensitive. Hence, when you pull it, even the nicest dog in the world might turn around and bite … read more

How to Organize Your Closet
January 26, 2016
“Mom, have you seen my pink dress? Why can’t I ever find ANYTHING in my closet! Don’t EVER put my clothes away again, because I can never find what I’m looking for!” First of all, let me start with … read more

My Kids Hate My Food
January 22, 2016
Why is it that most of the people around me, who have tasted my cooking, think that I’m the best cook in the world, while my own children, can’t stand my food? It drives me crazy! However, I’ve learned … read more

Have a Secret Affair
January 17, 2016
Life is always better when you have a little something on the side that keeps you going. Something that you look forward to every day. Get your mind out of the gutter because it’s not what you’re thinking. I’m not … read more

Dressing for Safety
January 14, 2016
In this day and age, in the year 2016, I’m embarrassed to say that, for safety reasons, I have to think about what my kids, and I, are going to wear when we leave the house. No, I’m not talking about … read more

I’m Leaving You Nothing
January 7, 2016
When it comes to thinking about cutting off one or more of our children from their inheritance, many of us may think about it, some of us may even dare to verbalize it, but nearly none of us would have … read more

Proper Hand-Washing Reduces Illnesses
January 3, 2016
You put your right had in, you put your left hand in, and you shake it all about. I’m talking about the way kids wash their hands. Usually it’s a quick rinse, if you’re lucky, with water barely covering their … read more

The Innocence of Language
December 30, 2015
Idioms that I take for granted will amuse or baffle my five year old daughter. Recently, I commanded her to ‘cut across the grass’ to get to the other side of the lawn. “Mommy! I can’t cut all across the … read more

I Love My Compost
December 27, 2015
I put off composting for years. I used every excuse I could think of. Our building doesn’t allow it. I will get fruit flies. It will smell. The real reason was that I felt it was just one more thing … read more

Recycling Santa, Thank You!
December 22, 2015
This past Sunday, my family and I went on an outing to Rancho Park, which is near Cheviot Hills in Los Angeles. We try to get out as a family at least once a week and jump around to different … read more

Community Parenting Project
December 19, 2015
Every Thursday, there are 15 nannies that meet up to watch the children they care for at the local park. They bring potluck food and help each other out with all the children. Everyone benefits. The children have playmates, the … read more

Raising Children to be Hungry for Success
November 16, 2015
I hear concerns from parents, on both ends of the socioeconomic spectrum, who worry about their children lacking motivation or the desire to pursue their studies or a career. It often leads to frustration and parents wondering what they did … read more

Outdoor Dining: Forced Portion Control
November 11, 2015
A few weeks ago, an old friend invited our family over for dinner, which turned out to be a festive cultural experience. It was during their holiday of Succoth (the Jewish holiday of Tabernacles), so we got to eat in … read more

It Pays to Eat Healthy
October 27, 2015
I have relatives who scoff at my organic, BPA-free, grassfed, natural, label-reading, healthy way of eating. They can’t go as far as calling me a crunchy, granola-eating hippie because, A) I don’t eat granola – the oats haven’t been soaked … read more

Waste Not, Want Not
October 22, 2015
I would like to allow my children to explore their creativity without stifling boundaries. So I bite my tongue when I see them taking sheets of paper, drawing one letter on it, and taping them to the wall to spell … read more

Traveling Tips: Packing Light for a Family
October 17, 2015
My family of five went on a month-long adventure around Europe with two suitcases. That’s right, two suitcases! One was filled halfway with diapers and gifts we were bringing to friends and family. In front of us in line at … read more

Talking to Children about Drugs and Alcohol
October 12, 2015
At dinner last night, my seven year old asked me for a glass of wine. I panicked. Just last week she asked me for a cup of coffee. Should I be worried? Are these signs of her addictive future foreshadowed … read more

Loosey Goosey Stretching
October 6, 2015
I am getting older, my body becoming stiffer, creaks happening in joints that once moved fluidly through their daily motions. Yikes! Methinks I need to stretch more. But when and how? I can fit in the occasional weekly yoga class. … read more

Tips to Prevent and Treat Mosquitoe Bites
October 3, 2015
In this politically correct day and age, am I allowed to declare my hatred for mosquitoes? I haven’t met anyone who claims to like them nor would they be upset if they were on our endangered species list. They live … read more

Birthday Parties – Lowering the Bar
September 23, 2015
In our family, birthday parties for our children kinda suck. Yes, I admit it. They are plain and boring with money spent only on good quality food. We don’t hire the magician, we don’t order $200 in mylar helium balloons … read more

Raise Your Own Children
September 12, 2015
This past week, I had the pleasure of volunteering, as a teacher’s assistant, in my son’s 4th-grade class. It was part of our school’s mandatory 20-hour volunteer program, in which each family needs to participate. I wanted to get it … read more

A Walk Around the Block
September 5, 2015
Often, I need to walk my children around outside as we don’t have a backyard. I have been doing this for years. I used to joke that it felt like I was walking the dog around the block. They need … read more

Taking Back Sundays
September 1, 2015
Pasar el dia is one way to say picnic in Spanish. It means to pass the day. I love this particular expression because it suggests that nothing else has to be done for that day. I envision a lazy Sunday … read more

Got Grit?
August 29, 2015
Not as in a way to measure the sand on your sandpaper. Rather, there is a psychological term to describe a person’s innate ability to overcome challenges, resulting in their being more influential and more successful, than their contemporaries, in … read more

Things to do for Grandparents
June 21, 2015
Grandparents, for the most part, can be wonderful. There are many different kinds of grandparents, young and vibrant ones, older feeble ones. The ones who babysit, the storytellers, the educators of family histories, the affectionate ones, the ones who spoil … read more

The Anti-Cheat Sheet
June 14, 2015
It’s natural and even healthy for every human being to have a voracious sexual appetite. However, when you’re married or in a committed relationship the sex can become routine or your desires are not being fulfilled by your spouse and … read more

Why I Go to Yoga
June 9, 2015
It is a lot of work to be a parent. Any arguments there? I thought not. Is it also rewarding? Yes. Fun? Yes. Tiring? Exhausting! Some days I don’t get much time to myself, as in ten minutes is a … read more

Cleaner Breathing
June 6, 2015
A student at my daughter’s school did a science project about air pollution. The child tested the air quality by taking paper plates with glue on them and placing them in various parts of the home, neighborhood and even city … read more

Manipulation through Kindness
June 2, 2015
I know it’s totally cliche, but I never seem to do anything right in the eyes of my mother-in-law. I’ve heard her concerns and complaints and fortunately, have developed a thick skin to were it doesn’t bother me anymore. At … read more

Hype and Healthcare of Designer Dolls
May 15, 2015
I’m still not sure why we buy into the hype of designer dolls, but kids all over the world just have to have them. My daughter’s (insert expensive brand-name) doll was recently hospitalized due to a broken leg and severed … read more

The Happy in Mother’s Day
May 8, 2015
Recently I was at a dinner party and overheard a conversation that caught my attention for many reasons. Mainly because the conversation was riddled with insecurities, insults and defensiveness, which most likely, neither side intended. I imagined what these mommy’s … read more

A Tale of Two Cities…at War
May 5, 2015
After hearing a blurb on the radio, my elementary-school-aged child innocently asked me, “Daddy, why are they fighting?” ME: Z wants the land and X wants the land. They both want to be in charge of the same area. CHILD: … read more

Painting Rooms – The Psychology of Colors
May 2, 2015
A friend of mine recently renovated and painted her house. Everything looked beautiful. However, her children began to fight a lot more. She couldn’t figure it out when she had taken such care to decorate their room with whimsical fabrics, … read more

Mothering Nature
April 29, 2015
My daughter is part of a once a week cooperative preschool in which we meet outdoors, away from the noise of the city. The children play, without using toys, props, tools or other artificial stimuli. Nature is their guide, their … read more

The Odds your Child will Attend College
April 26, 2015
There is a teacher at my son’s school who has her work tables sectioned off by university names. Some are named for Ivy League schools and some are named after state schools. Various calibers of schools are fairly represented. I … read more

Make Your Own News
April 23, 2015
Being a mother of four, I seem to never have time to listen, read or watch the news. As a matter of fact, I would be completely clueless about what’s going on, in the outside world, if it weren’t for … read more

Motivating Children to Exercise
April 19, 2015
Growing up, I never had the pleasure (or torture as my kids would describe it) of going out for a run with my parents. They were usually too busy or too tired trying to make ends meat and keeping up … read more

Motivation to Save for College
April 3, 2015
There are smart phone applications and computer programs available that will age a photo for you, showing you what you will probably look like as an 80 year old adult. Yes, that app which you have wondered about its purpose … read more

The Superbug and Antibiotics
March 26, 2015
My family recently went through a heavy bout of illness. Just a cold, I thought initially. After weeks of coughing and wheezing, maxing out school absences and really putting a wrench in our plans (we had to cancel a trip … read more

Knock Before Entering
March 19, 2015
In the early days of our marriage my husband noticed an unopened envelope from a credit card company sitting on the desk. It was addressed only to him. He asked why I didn’t open it to which I replied that … read more

Fun Activities for St. Patrick’s Day
March 16, 2015
One place I would love to go on St. Patrick’s Day is to Ireland and have a Guinness and listen to the bagpipes. Although these things have nothing to do with the true meaning of St. Patrick’s Day. In actuality, March … read more

One Good Thing About In-Laws
March 14, 2015
Pretty much everyone has “issues” with their families, whether biological, adoptive or in-laws. They could be major but, more often than not, they are new world issues, meaning minor, or even, dare I say it, petty ones. Often, our own … read more

Blocking Children’s Internet Access
March 12, 2015
I just got back from an “emergency” assembly called by the principal and psychologist of my daughter’s school. It was for all the parents from her class (sixth grade) as they’ve recently had an epidemic of children who were bullying … read more

Signs Your Relationship Needs Professional Help
March 7, 2015
I had a yoga teacher who said that when she first got married, she and her husband fought the first year incessantly. They went to their spiritual guru who said, newlyweds fight a lot because they are getting used to … read more

OMEGA WHAT?
March 3, 2015
Omega is the 24th and last letter of the Greek alphabet. The literal definition of the word is “great O” (Great Oils), ō mega, mega meaning ‘great.’ It can be so confusing these days when trying to figure out how … read more

Modern Day Grandparents
February 27, 2015
Growing up, I have fond memories of walking over to my grandma’s house, every day after school, and spending a few hours with her until one of my parents picked me up after work. What really stuck out for me, … read more

Kitchen Rules and Hours of Operation
February 24, 2015
These days, with four kids in the house, it feels like my life revolves around housework. Between cooking, cleaning, making beds, helping out with homework and etc., it seems like I have little to no time for myself. Some parts … read more

Don’t Hide the Remote
February 18, 2015
Yesterday afternoon, I was over my friend Rochelle’s house working on a business proposal for an internet venture we plan to launch this summer. We were three hours into our work when her two children, ages seven and ten, got … read more

Valentine’s Day the Right Way
February 13, 2015
When we were first dating, I told my husband that he better not buy me that silk-covered red heart-shaped box of chocolates and overpay for roses that have been marked up for the week of Valentine’s day. I told him … read more

If Our Kids Only Knew How Bad we Were
February 11, 2015
I was helping my nine year-old son with his homework last night after he lied to me and told me that he had already completed it at school during his break. I hate having to check up on him but … read more

Queen of Yes
February 8, 2015
I was so tired of saying “NO” all week long that I decided to take a rest from the word. On Saturday, I chose to ‘yes’ my children for one day. It took a lot of focus and long deep … read more

Bee Love
February 5, 2015
I love honey. The sweet floral taste of the local wildflower honey. The viscous texture. The amber color. It is like liquid gold. The ever-popular Manuka honey can cost around the same amount per ounce. Almost. I’m drinking it in … read more

Kids Don’t Need a Father or Mother Figure
January 29, 2015
At parent-teacher conferences last night, I saw my friend Carl, who was a single-parent, after he and his wife divorced a little over three years ago. His ex had moved out of state, with her new husband, who was in … read more

Should One Child Get a Larger Inheritance?
January 26, 2015
This past Saturday was “girls’ night out” for three of my friends and I. So, we decided to go to the Derby, in Hollywood, for some swing dancing. A little different than our usual club scene, but we wanted to … read more

If You Play You’re Going to Pay
January 19, 2015
My 12 year-old daughter went to a birthday party last night for one of her classmates. The party started pretty late on a Sunday night, so I wasn’t very “gung ho” about her going altogether. None the less, it was … read more

Avoid Getting Ripped-off on Home Repairs
January 16, 2015
I’m writing this as I stand here in my lopsided shower, the result of a botched home repair that my husband hired someone to do. He brought someone from his office who also happens be a “part-time” contractor. He got … read more

Show Them Disgusting Behavior
January 11, 2015
My husband had this annoying eating habit of fist-grabbing his silverware whenever he sat down at the table for a meal. I hated it and it bothered me to no end. Imagine how I felt when we had guests over. … read more

Write It, Don’t Type It
December 29, 2014
“I love you”. Most people still appreciate the value of these words when handwritten as opposed to typed font. Kids appreciate reading their parents’ writing. I remember my parents’ handwritten notes in my lunch box (it was also fun and … read more

Fake Estate, Real Estate
December 26, 2014
It’s a sham! Homes aren’t affordable to the working class or even the upper middle class. Renters too. In big cities it seems that rent has become as expensive and daunting as buying a home. For me, I just want … read more

Let it Go
December 24, 2014
Not as in the song. (Talk about an earworm – I am still humming that song and I haven’t heard it in two whole days. But I digress). This article is about letting clutter go. How to really once and … read more

Be Good, Do Good, See Good
December 22, 2014
I was driving past a familiar spot where there are usually panhandlers asking for money at the freeway exit. This time there was no one there. Instead, there was a message written with rolled-up newspaper tucked into the chain link … read more

Grandparents: How to Irritate Your Children & In-Laws
December 17, 2014
* Comment at least five times a day how the baby is not warm enough and needs more layers. Make sure this is said during a heat wave. Then during a snowstorm, comment on how overdressed the baby appears to … read more

Becoming a Big Sister or Brother
December 15, 2014
I was asked by a newer mom how to handle the reaction and transition of the elder sibling when her new baby would be born. Since I have done this twice now with little upset to the elder sibling, I … read more

Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating
December 12, 2014
The holidays are upon us and so is the junk food. Oh joy! Gingerbread cookies, Christmas pudding, candy canes, Channukah gelt, latkes, and so on. Since it would be too challenging to say no to all of these delicious goodies … read more

Don’t Just Stand There
December 10, 2014
This past Sunday, my 11 year-old son and I went roller blading down at Venice Beach boardwalk. We love to “people watch” and, believe me, that place has more than its share of diversity (more like weirdos). We observed a … read more

Letter to the Editor: More Manners Please
December 8, 2014
I once read an article which interviewed a British man responding to why his children were so well-behaved compared to their American counterparts. His response was simple, “Because we expect them to be well-behaved”. Recently, while at the library, I … read more

Don’t Give Up Parenting
December 5, 2014
This past weekend my family and I attended a Relationship Workshop, in Santa Barbara, California with some friends from our church. The theme for the retreat was Family Dynamics, so everyone was encouraged to bring their children. It was quite … read more

My Kid Sucks at Sports
December 3, 2014
Coming to the realization that your child is not good at sports can be hard for many parents to accept. I was reminded of that this past Saturday night as I attended my 12 year-old son’s basketball game. He’s in an … read more

The Art of Positive Thinking
November 30, 2014
Whether you are a “cup is half full” or the “cup is half empty” type of a person, it really doesn’t matter because the good news is that both sides are right. We all know that there is positive and … read more

What if…?
November 25, 2014
What if I lost my job and couldn’t support my family? What if we moved to another country and my kids were miserable? What if we bought a house and it turned out to be a horrible investment? What if … read more

No Parents Allowed
November 22, 2014
We recently moved to the “other side of town” in Los Angeles and decided to try a new gymnastics facility, which is a little closer to home. Our current facility is great but the commute was killing us. It’s about … read more

Family Peer Pressure
November 19, 2014
This past weekend my family and I went down to visit our cousins in Palm Springs. We don’t get to see them often and had planned to sleep there overnight since we were scheduled to have a late dinner and … read more

The Trick to Making Good Habits Stick
November 14, 2014
Many of us, including myself, know exactly what is good for us and what we should be doing. We’ve read the series, “Eat This, Not That” and have a pretty good idea of how to live healthy. None the less, we … read more

Leave Your Sick Kids at Home
November 8, 2014
I have a pet peeve with some of my fellow parents, who are bringing their sick and likely contagious children to public places. Common sense tells us to keep kids in bed when they are sick. Yet, over the years, … read more

My Friends Don’t Have to Be Your Friends
November 5, 2014
My daughter played with a regular group of her toddler friends and even kept some of them after kindergarten. Somewhere along the way, she drifted apart from some of her friends. Simply put, they no longer like one another. However, … read more

Now Who’s Afraid of the Dentist?
November 2, 2014
I know of a local dentist who cleans young children’s teeth one quadrant per visit so that if they start crying, they stop the cleaning and the child returns again so that the children don’t grow up fearing the dentist. … read more

Preventing Lice
October 30, 2014
Tis’ the season for the back-to-school fun to start with kids scratching their heads and parents frantically worrying if their children brought home lice to share with the whole family. Even if you don’t actually have lice, just talking about … read more

Musical Instruments and Brain Development
October 3, 2014
Okay, so we always believed that playing an instrument at a young age was healthy for our children. While at a 2013 Neuroscience conference, with my psychologist husband, new research shed light on how playing an instrument fosters plasticity in … read more

Storytime is More Than Just a Story
October 1, 2014
Sometimes young children don’t want to discuss what is bothering them directly with a parent. They may tell one spouse and not the other, and may even talk to a friend or some other family member. None the less, for … read more

Infant Baby Massage
September 29, 2014
A newborn doesn’t move much. The only circulation a baby receives is when he cries and perhaps from some light kicking and arm motions. So sometimes you have to get hem moving to get that blood circulating. Test a small … read more

Take Back Your Music Playlist
September 26, 2014
Are you tired of hearing the Frozen soundtrack for the millionth time? Tired of singing Wheels on the Bus? Me too! The first few years of kid’s music were tolerable. But not anymore, I can’t take it and I really … read more

No More Listening to the News
September 24, 2014
I don’t watch or listen to the news when my children are awake – the images are too violent for their innocent eyes and ears. Instead, I listen to NPR or other news radio while cooking a meal in the … read more

Sensory Play: A DIY Shape & Color Sorter
August 29, 2014
Since birth, babies are wired to explore the world through their five senses. As they grow, from smelling their first flower, to dipping their finger into ketchup and tasting it for the first time, to feeling the texture of laces … read more

Maybe Someone Else Would Be a Better Father?
August 26, 2014
During my husband’s recent 20-year high school reunion, which I dreaded having to attend, we got to making some small talk with one of his old high school buddies, Anderson, with whom he hasn’t spoken in over ten years. Andy … read more

Napping – Not Just for Kids
August 24, 2014
I don’t know if the birds or bees do it. But cats definitely do it. So do many Europeans, as well as the Spaniards – who call it a siesta. I do it. My kids do it. It’s the ultimate … read more

Pregnancy: Doulas Don’t Just Give Back Massages
August 21, 2014
I used to think that doulas were an upper class luxury. I thought their main purpose was to be available to massage a laboring woman’s lower back, at a ridiculously high price. I was very wrong. After giving birth to … read more

Emotional Bullying at School
August 19, 2014
When we hear the words bullying at school, we think of children threatening each other physically, taking lunch money, knocking down books – -stuff like that. There is another type of bullying, and it’s not new. However, awareness of it … read more

Motivating Kids for the New School Year
August 17, 2014
Prepare Two Weeks Prior to the Start of School: Do nothing for two weeks before school starts. Seriously. Bore your kids so silly so that they will be excited to see friends and play at recess. Sounds manipulative? It is. … read more

Who Needs a Mentor? Everyone!
August 14, 2014
When I wanted to break into the internet business, I had no idea of where to start or who to turn to for direction. I knew that I loved writing and if there was a any chance that I could … read more

Things No One Tells You about Childbirth
August 12, 2014
Congratulations – you’re expecting! As a first time mom, you’ve probably already taken, or are planning to take, a whole roster of classes that range from Birthing to Infant CPR to Breastfeeding. While no class will fully prepare you for … read more

Reduce Your Children’s Sugar Consumption
August 10, 2014
Back in the day, it used to be that sugar was given to kids on special occasions and by relatives. Why does it seem that sugar is at the center of every activity for kids these days? Why can’t we … read more

Etiquette 101: Visiting New Parents
August 8, 2014
When visiting new parents, we think to bring flowers, balloons — perhaps a little outfit and a stuffed animal for baby, too. All thoughtful gestures, but as a new mom who’s had her share of visitors recently, I want to … read more

How to Read Parenting Books
August 5, 2014
A friend of mine won’t read any parenting books. She says that they cause her to feel guilty because she doesn’t utilize even a small percentage of the parenting techniques advocated in them. I totally understand her perspective. Although I … read more

Attitude Adjustment toward Food
August 3, 2014
Through the proper attitude and environment toward food, children can learn to eat in a healthy way. Moderation, celebration and sanctification are key. How can we teach children about food moderation? By demonstrating that there is a time and place for … read more

Exposure before Extinction
August 1, 2014
When our children are older, we might find ourselves asking them, “Do you remember eating watermelon with seeds?” or “Have you ever seen a payphone?” Here’s a list of some things to try with your kids now, before we can … read more

Everything Must Go: Tales of a Clean-up Fairy
July 28, 2014
Everywhere I turned, there was something to clean up. Toys, arts and crafts supplies, clothing and so on. I tried getting toy organizers, baskets, cabinets. I tried nagging the kids to clean up. I tried offering rewards via a chore … read more

When to Give In
June 10, 2014
As I’m waiting for my daughter at her gymnastics practice, along with 12 other parents in the confines of a small and stuffy waiting room, I’m distracted by a screaming 6 year-old child sitting directly behind me. “GIVE ME A … read more

Everything Comes at a Price
June 8, 2014
Recently I had the unfortunate honor of being the conservator of my 62 year old uncle who had no children and was hospitalized after suffering from a cardiac arrest, along with other medical problems. He was in and out of … read more

Schedule Activities or they Won’t Happen
June 5, 2014
A good friend of mine called me this past week and said that she was interested in writing a book. She thought of me because she knew that I had done some writing in the past and she wanted to … read more

Can I Buy Some of Your Time?
June 2, 2014
My wife recently came up to me and asked if she could buy some of my time. I wasn’t sure what she meant, but she explained that it was the only way that she could get me to focus on … read more

Recycling Scavenger Hunt
May 30, 2014
This past weekend was my son’s seventh birthday and we decided to have his party at one of the local parks. That way the kids don’t destroy our house and they have much more room to run around. One of … read more

What’s in a Title?
May 26, 2014
I hate titles and despise people who wear their degrees on their sleeve (sometimes literally) like some badge of honor for which they expect others to bow down to them or extend them some special courtesy or doting respect, which far exceed the expectations of everyone else. Well, … read more

Profiles of Sexual Predators
May 23, 2014
I have been a psychologist for over 20 years and worked on both sides of the spectrum of treating and prosecuting sexual predators, the latter of the two being much more rewarding. It never ceases to amaze me how diverse … read more

What Message are we Sending our Children?
May 21, 2014
It must be because tax season just ended and my bank account is at an all-time low that I feel like I must be doing something wrong. I’m working my tail off, doing the best that I can to raise … read more

Don’t Settle for Less Test
May 19, 2014
Let’s face it. No one is perfect! We all know it because that’s what makes each of us so unique and special. The good thing is that we don’t need to find someone who’s perfect as long as they’re compatible … read more

Go Ahead, Talk to Yourself!
May 16, 2014
Have you ever watched a tennis match, or any other competitive sport for that matter, and noticed how the players seem to be talking to themselves? Some get really intense and just go off on themselves with a burst of … read more

Family Stretch Time
May 13, 2014
I hate stretching! I have to admit it, even at the risk of my kids seeing this article. This is definitely one of those “do as I say and not as I do” behaviors. I often preach and can attest … read more

Mother’s Day Heart Catcher Project
May 11, 2014
Now that it’s Spring Cleaning at our house, my mom handed me a box filled with old plastic pony bead bracelets. I made so many that I’d only wear for a week or so before tossing them to the side. … read more

Turn your Play into Pay
May 9, 2014
If you love your job, get compensated well and have more than enough money to cover your bills and to spring for some extra leisure activities as well, then consider yourself lucky. Let’s face it, however: most of us need … read more

Motherhood and Sanity
May 7, 2014
How do new mothers stay sane? I find myself asking friends and random people at the park or grocery store this question all the time, as they juggle multiple children, careers and errands all while making it look completely effortless. … read more

Don’t Believe All Parenting Tips!
May 5, 2014
It seems like every week my wife comes home with a new parenting plan that she’s read online or from one of her magazine subscriptions. Sometimes I just can’t keep up with her. She must read it all while waiting … read more

Our Parents Weren’t That Bad After All
May 2, 2014
It’s ironic because I always hear parents talking about how they want the best for their children and want to provide them with more opportunities than they had as a child. They often go to the opposite extreme of how … read more

Three Things You Should Never Say To Your Children
April 30, 2014
1. “Hurry Up” It is never easy trying to get out the door with a dawdling toddler. I used to be quite punctual. Not these days. Daily, I find myself saying to the tiny being beside me, “Hurry up, we … read more

Fixing an Ill Will
April 28, 2014
My childhood best friend, Jay, flew in from San Francisco with his husband to attend his father’s funeral in Los Angeles. Jay and I grew up together since the age of 5. His mother, whom I’d known basically my entire … read more

Beware of Endearing Nicknames
April 25, 2014
“Hi dear/sexy/doll/handsome,” and whatever else you can think of. It’s interesting to me how some people get totally offended by nicknames, or “pet names,” while others use them as a staple in their everyday conversation and think nothing of it. … read more

Sticking with an Extracurricular Activity
April 23, 2014
I’m fortunate that I have two daughters who have each found their little niche and have taken to a specific extra-curricular activity that they’ve stuck with for the past few years. For the most part, they tend to be pretty … read more

Diary of a Facebook Mom
April 21, 2014
Sunday 7:30pm Decide to wait to change my Facebook cover picture until Monday since a lot of my ‘friends’ on the East Coast won’t be up to see it. Plan on a 9am-ish upload. Picture and caption ready for AM … read more

Toilet Paper Roll Bunnies
April 18, 2014
If there is one thing that you are just about guaranteed to find in every house across America it would be tp. Even in our poorest state we still have the money for toilet paper. If you have toilet paper, … read more

Egging your Neighbors
April 16, 2014
Last year, near Easter, our house got egged. It’s not as bad as it sounds though. It turns out it was a friend of our daughter’s. Without us knowing they came to our house and hid a handful of eggs … read more

Is Anyone Patriotic Anymore?
April 14, 2014
If I hear another person bad-mouth military service, while in the same breath talk about how patriotic they are, then I’m just going to explode. Of course, this is not the case everywhere, but I’m talking about your typical 4th … read more

Stop Killing Everyone around You!!!
April 11, 2014
As I pulled up to the red light with my four kids in tow, I looked over to the car immediately to my right, which was also held up at the light. They had two small kids in the car, … read more

Ten Reasons Cheaters Are Willing to Risk it All
April 9, 2014
Last week my husband and I went to our children’s parent-teacher conferences. While there I ran into an old classmate of mine, Karla, who I hadn’t seen in over 15 years. We started chatting and as I pointed out my … read more

8 Reasons Why I Keep My House Clean
April 4, 2014
Throughout my adult life my idea of clean has drastically changed. I have had seasons of a relatively cluttered home, followed by seasons of one that is immaculate. Lately however, I am leaning more towards a more clean home. That … read more

Colored Play Foam
April 2, 2014
My kids, like most their ages, love a good hands on craft. They love learning and playing by doing and touching. We go through quite a bit of play dough over here. Every once in a while I do my … read more

“Must Have” Baby Gear – Not
March 28, 2014
I always hated that statement. Must have. Because let us all be honest here, there really is not a whole lot that is a “must have.” The lists all the baby suspestores give you are ridiculous. You absolutely do not … read more

Cradle Cap Blues
March 26, 2014
I remember before my kids were born I spent many hours dreaming of their appearance. Would their eyes be blue, brown, or green? Would we have a red head? None of my visions ever included cradle cap. To be honest, … read more

Edible Rainbow Craft
March 24, 2014
Because spring is here, despite the fact that it is still snowing outside here, we have started our flowers and butterflies and rainbow crafting. It just makes the house feel so much more cheery. After the long winter we have … read more

Travel Art Cases
March 19, 2014
Taking my whole brood out to eat is always exhausting. My kids always end up bored and ready to leave long before the food arrives. That’s why my purse is always loaded with stuff to do. Usually crayons and the … read more

Please Don’t Donate Used Shoes!
March 17, 2014
At my work, we often have food drives, toy drives, and you-name-it drives to try to help the needy. These are all wonderful and commendable events. However, currently we are holding a “shoe drive,” which I just can’t stand. It … read more

Letter School App Review
March 14, 2014
We love all things educational around here. Maybe it is because I am a huge nerd, but I love to incorporate educational apps into my kids school day as often as I can. When it comes to choosing an app, … read more

Excuses People Make and What They Really Mean 
March 10, 2014
Excuses, excuses! It never ceases to amaze me what creative ideas people come up with to get out of doing things. The only baffling point is how they think the rest of us will accept those excuses time and time … read more

Giant Life Sized Board Games
March 5, 2014
We have been snowed in this winter more times than I can ever recall. Being stuck inside all day is fun once in a while, but more often than not it ends up with bored, grumpy, and restless mommy and … read more

Edible Food Paint
March 3, 2014
Whoever said you shouldn’t play with your food clearly wasn’t a fun person. Remember the old ‘plane coming in for a landing’ trick to get them to eat? Sometimes my picky eaters just eat better when given the option to … read more

Dixie Cup Pyramid
February 28, 2014
I don’t know about you but regardless of what toys I have had in our house, for some reason my kids always want to experiment using everyday household items to create their own game. And that’s a good thing! From … read more

The Anti Diaper Bag
February 26, 2014
With my first child, I had the twenty pound diaper bag, I had enough diapers, wipes, clothes, extra pacifiers, and toys for at least three kids. Looking back it was slightly laughable. Okay, it was really laughable. It was ridiculous. … read more

Family Olympic Games
February 21, 2014
Our family is enjoying our ‘stay cation’ so far. We have enjoyed making memories in all sorts of unique ways. Most of which have not cost us anything, or less than five dollars. Unfortunately, our ‘stay cation’ is right in … read more

Preventing Cavities in Children
February 17, 2014
When my five year-old son came home complaining of tooth pain I thought that he might have a loose baby tooth. But when I took a closer look I could see a black spot, which would not come off with … read more

Memorable Movie Night
February 14, 2014
My husband is on vacation this week. Instead of spending the money of taking a trip we opted for the ‘stay cation’ this time around. But just because we aren’t actually leaving our home doesn’t mean that we cannot have … read more

Cupcakes and Tea
February 12, 2014
A few months back we celebrated my daughter’s birthday. She turned seven, and like all mature self respecting seven year olds she requested an elegant tea party. What she could not decide on was how to decorate her cupcakes. Usually … read more

Valentine Scratchers
February 10, 2014
My husband and I are quite frugal. We are doing our best to save most every extra penny that comes our way. Because of that fact holidays, like Valentines Day, are quite simple and small for us. Usually just a … read more

Homemade Ring Toss
February 5, 2014
My kids tend to get restless in the winter. When the temperatures drop into the negatives, and there isn’t even any snow to play with, they get bored. Therefore I am constantly helping them to come up with fun ways … read more

How to “Un Permanant” Permanent Markers
February 1, 2014
I have a pretty strict rule around here involving permanent markers like sharpies. Personally I love sharpies and could use them for lots of fun things, but I have a two year old. A mischievous two year old who manages … read more

My Kid’s Job
January 27, 2014
My kids all have chores that they are responsible for each and every day. Most are simple things like making their bed, and tidying their rooms. We believe that families have to work together in order to maintain cohesiveness. Chores … read more

Improving your Legacy
January 15, 2014
I just got back from a funeral of a distant uncle (through marriage), who passed away in his early 60’s. As depressing as it may sound, it was an untimely death resulting from a DUI car accident. I was never … read more

Baby Sitter Boxes
January 8, 2014
I don’t often leave my kids with a baby sitter. Usually when I do, it is another mother with lots of kids. On occasion though, we hire an actual baby sitter. When we do I like to be prepared to … read more

Home Baked Dog Treats
January 6, 2014
I bake all the time for my family. Several times a week in fact. So the other day when I was perusing the aisles at Target and I saw dog bone shaped cookie cutters, I had an epiphany. It was … read more

Man Baby Showers
January 3, 2014
Women get to have all the fun when it comes to having a baby. Okay, one could argue that they also put in the most work too. What with the whole carrying the baby for nine months, heartburn, back aches, … read more

Dry Erase Books
January 1, 2014
I am all about things my kids can do that are quiet. Loud is fun and good, but quiet is even better. I do my best to come up with things for my older kids to do while my youngest … read more

Heading Off the Bully
December 27, 2013
In my years of training with the Navy and Law Enforcement Agencies, I was often tasked with assessing the reaction time of individuals to a perceived threat. One instrument we used was a Scenario Simulator, which is essentially a life-sized … read more

Snow Dough
December 25, 2013
All kids love playing with mushy dough. Play dough, clay, putty, whatever it is, my kids love it. My kids also love playing in the snow. Sadly it is still fairly early in our snow season this year so we … read more

We Can’t Afford It – Class Trip
December 20, 2013
It’s hard to believe, but my oldest daughter is now in eighth grade and asking to go on her class trip. In the past all school trips have been no more than a four-hour car ride away. These trips have … read more

Sibling Gifts
December 18, 2013
If you are expanding your family for the second time (or beyond) you might have worried about how your older child will react to the news. Of course this is different for each child, and their ages and developments. One … read more

The Window Tree
December 13, 2013
I might be a tad touchy about my Christmas tree. I decorate it just so, and I would really like it if it stayed that way. If you have little kids in the house, you probably understand why that is … read more

Craft Stick Snow Flakes
December 11, 2013
The winter season is upon us and we are busy making as many crafts as we can. Now that my kids are old enough to do some crafting we encourage them to make as many Christmas gifts as they can … read more

Pom Pom Ornaments
December 9, 2013
We are back to making some fabulous Christmas ornaments today. This one is geared toward the most tiny of fingers. Okay, maybe not the most tiny, but definitely small. I’m talking one to two year old hands. Although my big … read more

DIY Wrapping Paper
December 6, 2013
I am cheap. It really is no secret. But my tendency to be cheap makes me be a bit crafty too. For example, designing my own wrapping paper. You might think its tacky, but I think it makes things look … read more

Ten Worst First (and Last) Playdates
December 4, 2013
I love first playdates and love getting to know new families. So, I try to mix it up every once in a while for my kids by inviting children who are new to our school or new to our neighborhood. … read more

DIY Glass Picture Ornaments
December 2, 2013
Every year my husband and I get our kids an ornament for the Christmas tree. They usually get to pick one out. It is a family tradition. I love looking back at all of the ornaments as we decorate the … read more

Dealing With Strong Willed Kids
November 29, 2013
Let’s face it, some kids are just harder than others. My first two kids are so laid back, easy to please, and more than willing to follow any instruction given to them. They make me feel like a rock star … read more

Thanksgiving Role Play
November 27, 2013
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I’m always trying to come up with creative ways to teach my children to appreciate what we have. My parents used to always remind us of how there were starving children all over … read more

Rhymin’ Simon
November 25, 2013
My ten year-old daughter has had a male friend, whom she has called her “boyfriend”, since she was seven. Even though she’s only ten, the term “boyfriend” still doesn’t sit well with me. I’m her father- need I say more?! … read more

Simple Home Made Body Cream
November 22, 2013
I love home made Christmas presents. Each year I do my best to make as many as I can. Last year one of my favorites that I passed out was home made body cream. It is so simple, and only … read more

Muffin Tin Advent Calendar
November 20, 2013
I love advent calendars. The excitement of Christmas, a countdown, small toys or candy, all rolled into one! Each year I try to do something different. The one thing that I do the same is avoiding to buy the store … read more

I Am Project
November 18, 2013
My daughter is seven. Just a mere seven years old and already she suffers on occasion with doubting her self esteem. I am not sure where this comes from really. Goodness knows her daddy and I do our best to … read more

Homemade Baby Gate
November 15, 2013
I have a two year old. A really cute, busy two year old. He is the sole reason that I dye my hair. His antics have made me go gray. Yet still, I love him and I want to keep … read more

Stained Glass Ornaments
November 13, 2013
Do you remember being a kid and making those stained glass ornaments that were really just melted beads? I absolutely adored them so much, and I begged my parents to buy them for me every year. And of course every … read more

Amazingly Practical Baby Shower Gift
November 8, 2013
I am at that age where I am constantly being invited to a baby shower. Luckily for me I enjoy a good baby shower. Especially baby showers for brand new mommies. Something about the freshness of new moms, and their … read more

Magic Glowing Milk
November 6, 2013
Did you ever do the dancing milk experiment as a kid? The one where you fill the bottom of a pie dish with milk, drip some food coloring into it and then dab dish soap to watch the colors dance … read more

Homemade Chalk, Because We Can
November 4, 2013
I love trying to make things at home. Even things that aren’t really necessary, like chalk. I guess I just like the challenge. Plus, every time my kids and I attempt to make something like this it counts as a … read more

Any Good Piano Teachers Out There?
November 1, 2013
It’s hard enough to get my kids to practice any instrument as it is, so why can’t piano teachers make my life easier and make learning to play the piano more fun? I consider our family pretty musical –my husband … read more

I Spy Jars
October 30, 2013
Keeping my kids busy can really be a challenge. Especially on long car trips. Our last trip we tried out I Spy jars. I originally saw this idea on Pinterest and I knew that it was a great idea for … read more

DIY Bath Toys
October 28, 2013
Sometimes I think that my husband is a genius (and other times, not so much. JK!). Besides being an amazing father, he has some of the greatest ideas ever. Most recently his idea was homemade bath toys. Our kids love … read more

Homemade Pedialyte
October 25, 2013
Having made the decision to go down to one car can sometimes be a challenge. For example, it means that I cannot simply run out to the store every time I need something. Honestly, I find this a blessing now. … read more

Marbled Planters
October 23, 2013
In my never ending perusing of the web I came across this fun idea for marbled flower planters. I originally saw it here. But since have seen it all over so I am not sure who the original credit goes … read more

Microwave Play Dough
October 18, 2013
We make a lot of crafts around here. Because of that I am always looking for easier ways to do things. So when I heard about making play dough in the microwave I jumped at the opportunity to give it … read more

Painting on Foil
October 16, 2013
Being a stay at home mom, and a homeschool mom, means that I get lots of opportunities to do arts and crafts with my kids. It is a great thing really, because I enjoy a good craft. I also love … read more

Pumpkin Spice Play Dough
October 11, 2013
It is officially that time of year again. The time of the pumpkin. Pumpkin spiced everything. You can’t turn the corner without being bombarded with the sight and smell of pumpkins. I’m not really complaining, I happen to love pumpkins. … read more

Shake Painting
October 9, 2013
My kids enjoy painting. Sadly the activity doesn’t last as long as I wish it did. Perhaps it’s because I let them do it too often, so it is no longer a novelty. So to keep things fresh I like … read more

Travel Activity Folder
October 7, 2013
My family and I are about to make the big trek down south to Disney World. We are of course all excited to go. The hardest part of the journey is understandably the 10 plus hour drive. Long road trips … read more

Painting Pumpkins
October 4, 2013
Now that Halloween is just around the corner, seriously it is, I am thinking about all of the fun crafts the kids and I will tackle. Halloween happens to be one of our all time favorite holidays. So much so … read more

Send a Hug
October 2, 2013
My parents live pretty far away from us, and with the economy what it is we don’t often get the opportunity to visit with them. Thankfully we live in a cool age of technology so we can FaceTime or Skype … read more

Making Disney Trips Extra Special
September 30, 2013
A trip to Disney is pretty magical all in itself. But sometimes a little extra magic is needed. Maybe you are celebrating something special, a birthday, anniversary, or even a first visit. Believe it or not, but you don’t have … read more

Homemade Wipes
September 25, 2013
I like to DIY things. Not really because I am crafty, or have an aversion to things that are not homemade, but more because I am cheap. I loathe spending money when I don’t have to. That is what initially … read more

Coloring Thank You Cards
September 23, 2013
I love a good thank you card. One sent via snail mail. To me they just mean so much. In this day and age where everything is as easy as using your iPhone, the extra effort of mailing a card … read more

Homemade Modeling Clay
September 20, 2013
It is no secret that we are a crafty sort of family. I like to do crafts with my kids. Plus I am super frugal (read that cheap) so I tend to make as much as I can at home … read more

Stop Thumb Suckers!
September 18, 2013
Two out of my three kids have been thumb suckers. For the most part, I prefer it over pacifiers. For one, rarely did my kids suck their thumbs while out in public. I know that is not always the case, … read more

How to Grow Your Own Apple Tree
September 13, 2013
One of the best things about kids is their insatiable hunger for knowledge. My daughter studied botany this past school year and was very eager to put her knew found smarts to the test. She decided that she wanted to … read more

Salt Painting
August 30, 2013
My three kids are budding little artists. We cannot get enough art projects done around here. One of our new favorites involves school glue, salt, and colored water. This is an easy afternoon experiment, not exactly an art project because … read more

Homemade Blocks
August 28, 2013
It seems like this is a popular month for babies to be born in my neck of the woods. Seems like everyone I know is welcoming their new bundles of joy. For me, that means lots and lots of gifting. … read more

Playing Cards
August 23, 2013
Summer time for me always brings back memories of spending time at my grandparent’s house. More specifically I remember learning to play all manner of card games with them. Nowadays it seems that the fun of playing cards has been … read more

Soap Races
August 21, 2013
It is hot. All I want to do is sit outside in a pool with a drink that has an umbrella inside. My kids have other ideas though. They want to run and play, and get dirty. I am for … read more

Water Play Yo-Yo
August 19, 2013
Summer means being outside and playing in the glorious water. My kids, much like me, love to play in the water. And they really love water balloons. Their love of water balloons, and my love of keeping them active and … read more

Lego Team Building Game
August 16, 2013
Sometimes my kids don’t get along. Sometimes they fight, and bicker, and make me want to pull my greying hair right out of my head. I know when this starts happening a lot that it is time to play the … read more

I Spy License Plates
August 14, 2013
Keeping your kids busy on road trips can really be a challenge. My family takes at least one big road trip a year, so I have begun to complete a list of things that work for us to keep the … read more

Citrus Lane: A Super Unique Baby Gift
August 12, 2013
While at our pediatrician’s office for a well visit last week I overheard some cute new moms talking about Citrus Lane. They were discussing some product that they had received and how much they loved it. I quickly joined in … read more

S’mores in a Solar Oven
August 9, 2013
My brood of kids just returned home from camp. Along with all of the fun stories and games was a gem I wanted to pass along. Solar Oven S’mores. This really is as awesome as it sounds, and easy. I … read more

Back Yard DIY Fossils
August 7, 2013
A few weeks back we went to a local museum which featured a fossil exhibit. As a mother of two little boys, you can imagine that this was a huge hit for us. We had to continue to circle back … read more

Car Snacks or Toy Holders
August 5, 2013
Traveling with young kids can always be a challenge. My husband and I live here in the South, my parents are in Pennsylvania, and the rest of my family is happy in Southern California. That means I get the pleasure … read more

Walking Water
August 3, 2013
Science experiments are so much fun. I think I enjoy them almost as much as my kids do. I know what you’re thinking, “What a nerd.” Which makes me a pretty good mind reader. And if you aren’t thinking it, … read more

Adults Getting Bullied
August 1, 2013
This past weekend my family and I weathered the crazy heat in Palm Springs (122 degrees) to attend the National and Inter-National gymnastics tournament for my ten year-old daughter. I’m not a big fan of these very competitive events, and … read more

Do It Yourself: Detangling Spray
July 29, 2013
My daughter, like most kids with long hair, gets knots and tangles. Each and every day we would fight over combing her hair. Being nearly seven years old she would assure me that she was capable of brushing it out … read more

Kid GPS?
July 26, 2013
Is it just me, or is the world scarier now than when we were kids? I know a good portion of my perception is just filtered through the lens of actually being a parent now, but I cannot help but … read more

‘Just in Case’ Checklist
July 24, 2013
This is one of those necessary checklists – not fun but vital. Accidents happen. Sudden life changes occur. Illness and death are a part of the circle of life. But when terrible things happen and a family is grieving the … read more

Crayon Hot Rocks
July 22, 2013
This year my family and I made ourselves a garden. It is nothing amazing, just some spices and a few vegetables. We did our best to keep our kids involved in the process as we could. One of the ways … read more

Summer Home School Experiment
July 19, 2013
Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to home school your children? Well I’m pretty certain that I don’t! It’s not that I don’t love them to death, I just don’t want them to drive me there … read more

Kiddie Cook Books
July 17, 2013
I love to cook, and I especially love cooking with my kids. Not only is cooking a useful skill to have, but it teaches several things. Following directions, simple math, sequences, chemistry, and of course a love for food. Each … read more

Positive Reinforcment Jars
July 15, 2013
I love positive reinforcement. I love the way it makes me feel when I find good things to talk to my kids about. Our whole day goes by much smoother if we focus on what they are doing right, instead … read more

Keep in Touch – Calling List
July 12, 2013
I’m so bad at keeping in-touch these days that I’m embarrassed when I don’t have time or simply forget to return someone’s call. Let’s face it, we all get busy with work or family and have been guilty of neglecting … read more

Tree House Code Violation
July 5, 2013
This past week, after months of listening to my children beg, I finally caved in and allowed them to build a tree house in our backyard. Of course, it had to be under my terms and my rules, to which … read more

Toddler Busy Bags
June 28, 2013
Toddlers are a lot of fun. So much fun in fact, that on occasion (at least once a day) I need them to slow down for a few minutes. You know, long enough for me to take a shower, or … read more

Shaving Cream Snow
June 24, 2013
I love my kids, it is no secret, but man can they be frustrating. It never fails during the winter months that they long for shorts and summer weather. Now that we are heading into those warm months they were … read more

Summer Reading
June 21, 2013
Summer vacation has finally made its beginnings. I could not be more excited! The only problem is that over the summer many kids forget half of what they learned in school. It is a huge bummer. I have a rising … read more

Skip a Grade or Stay On Track
June 19, 2013
Is it just me or does it seem like kids these days have so much more homework in Elementary school than we ever did? As a matter of fact, I don’t remember doing any homework until I entered High School. … read more

Homemade Soda Bottle Sprinkler
June 17, 2013
The summer temperatures officially hit here today, getting us up well into the 90s. I was not really prepared. Just last week it was in the 60s and raining. After being outside for just a few minutes my kids were … read more

Homemade Face Paint
June 14, 2013
Like most kids, mine really enjoy getting their faces painted. Dragons, butterflies, puppies, and frogs, all the things my kids have had painted on their faces. The problem is that it becomes hard to find pace paint that is affordable … read more

Summer Bucket List
June 12, 2013
School is finishing up, the weather is nice, and that can only mean one thing. Summer vacation! I don’t know about you but I absolutely love when my kids are home from school for summer. I think I am more … read more

Spice Painting
June 10, 2013
I’m always looking for things to do with my kids, anything to keep them moving and away from the tv or video games. Big plus if it can be an activity that is somewhat educational too. Fun, no tv, and … read more

Flour in the Face Game
June 7, 2013
My kids’ school introduced them to a new “game.” This game made such an impression on my kids that they simply couldn’t wait to get home and tell me all about it. Then once they finished telling me, I decided … read more

Ways to Eat Healthy at Disney
June 5, 2013
With my family’s Disney vacation just around the corner, I am starting to contemplate what we are going to eat while we are there. I tend to be someone who has to care about eating healthy, so I cannot deny … read more

Library Playdate
June 3, 2013
A few weeks ago, my 10 year old son had a friend over for a playdate. I was doing some light cleaning and de-cluttering around the house. It’s just amazing how fast junk piles up when you have four kids. … read more

How to Get Organized – Ten Step Program
May 29, 2013
One of the biggest complaints many people have in their relationships is that their spouse is totally disorganized. The adjectives they use are: scattered, flighty, disheveled, all-over-the-place, and several other choice words that I am sometimes privileged enough to hear. … read more

Ten Reasons Why I have to Write
May 27, 2013
It’s amazing how so many of my friends have told me that they would love to write their life stories, and if they did, then it would make for a great book. After hearing some of their tales, I couldn’t … read more

I Hate Running Late!
May 24, 2013
Okay, so maybe I’m a little ‘over-the-top” with being on time and am a little sensitive about punctuality. I don’t like waiting around so I try not to make others wait for me. I’m best when I’m on my own … read more

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

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