Following the wise advice of Dad Extraordinaire, Jim Silver (link to his page here), this year for the holidays we had the kids make up a list for Santa of all the things they wanted. As you might suspect, it was a bit long, and so we let them know that they wouldn’t get everything […]
As my kids get older, I’m learning that where the grown-ups were once in control setting rules, now virtually any situation can occasion high-level negotiations. Even when it comes to rules we think we have established, we can still be surprised. However, there are times when the grown up must turn dictator, especially when the
I love children’s books and everything about the moments I get to share with my kids while reading to them, and now, them reading to me. (*sigh*…How fast they grow.)
That’s… Really NOT Okay Read More »
There’s been some controversy around a recent J.Crew ad that has generated a lot of chatter about gender-appropriate play for kids, and what role parents should have in defining those boundaries. The ad featured their style director painting her son’s toenails pink, and included some text about how lucky she felt to have a son
Gender-Appropriate Play Read More »
My daughter’s First Grade class is learning about the neighborhood we live in via short field trips to local businesses and public spaces. Each of these excursions requires several chaperones. A 1:3 grown up to kid ratio, in fact. So my husband and I signed up: He got a scavenger hunt in the park; I
To Chaperone, or Not to Chaperone Read More »
Last night my 3-year old son was telling me a story about his sledding adventures that afternoon, when an alert went off on my Blackberry, notifying me of a new message. So I did the thing I’ve been trained to do; I picked it up, ignored the conversation I was having, and checked to see
Mom Behaving Badly Read More »
I work with a lot of parents and have reported on a lot of parenting issues that have conflicting points of view. Through both of those exercises, I’ve learned that there is no “right” way to tackle parenting…there’s just your way, and most of us are doing the absolute best we can. One of my
Straight From the Mouth of… Parents Read More »
I never thought I’d be the one to jolt parents into a shopping frenzy…but after a few years of last-minute shopping blitz experience under my belt, I’ve decided to act on my biggest New Years resolution for 2010. It’s that I won’t put myself through procrastination-induced holiday madness this year…and there’s plenty of room for you on my bandwagon. And so with that, I offer a few tips below to help bring some organization to your festive chaos.
Holiday Toy Shopping Tips Read More »
Kids love Halloween…and what’s not to love? They get to dress up, eat candy, explore with their friends and stay up late.
First sleepovers can be a nerve-racking experience for kids and parents alike, but an open line of communication between all involved parents can instill peace of mind and ensure that the child feels secure in their biggest – and often, first – move towards independence.
Preparing Your Child – and You – For The First Sleepover Read More »
Shannon Eis gives The Early Show tips to help parents make family time stress-free.
Helping Parents De-Stress… Just a Bit. Read More »
It’s that time of year again when parents everywhere are dealing with re-setting their child to get back in the school mindset. But before the learning begins, there are some basic routines that families can establish to make the transition as smooth as possible. Some of it rests with parents while kids themselves also have a role…so how is the work divided?
Transitioning Into a School Year Routine Read More »
It can be a nightmare for both parents and children: kids continually waking up in the middle of the night. Shannon Eis shared some advice and products on “The Early Show” to help get some “rest for the weary.”
A Better Night’s Sleep for Your Child Read More »
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to occupy time this summer. Simple activities that don’t cost a bundle can actually help everyone enjoy summer without turning parents into cruise directors. But keep in mind, it’s important to schedule – without over-scheduling – your child while still allowing time for free play.
Avoiding the “I’m Bored” Chorus This Summer Read More »
My 5-year old daughter recently told me “that just because boys are stronger than girls, doesn’t mean that they can hit us”. Which she then immediately followed with, “and just because girls are smarter than boys, doesn’t mean that we can call them stupid.”
I’ve sat through three parent sessions this week at my daughter’s school that dealt with “summer brain drain” and how to keep kids from losing 30% of what teachers worked hard all year to cram into their little brains. And while some of the information was useful, very little of it took into account that kids actually need and deserve some time off. I was also struck by “fun activity” recommendations they offered parents for keeping kids’ minds engaged all summer. I’m pretty sure that my daughter would not, in fact, enjoy me dumping her LEGOs all over the floor so that she can count them as she cleans them up.
Summer Brain Drain Read More »
I used to think I was creative and resourceful…and then my daughter started preschool. I’ve since learned that a last-minute approach to class gifts will never do.
The Mannered Mom On… Class Gifting Mania Read More »
I’ve just returned from a momentous and exciting trip to Washington D.C. for the Presidential Inauguration and am still totally blown away by what I experienced and saw there.
The Mannered Mom at the Inauguration! Read More »
I’m more frequently asked by people how they should deal with other people’s kids while traveling than I am asked for tips on how people should manage their own kids. This leads me to believe that other people’s kids are the real problem here, as seems to be the case with most things. I’m not an expert on other people’s kids but can provide my own “how to’s” for managing or avoiding the most common kid travel mistakes:
The Mannered Mom on… Traveling With Kids Read More »
‘Tis the season for entertaining and travel and so it’s a great time to refresh the fundamentals of being a good houseguest, nearly none of which apply if you’re crashing with family (Sorry, grandparents!). But for others who may be hosting you and, more importantly, your kids, there are some considerations to keep in mind.
The Mannered Mom On… Being a Great Houseguest Read More »
With the holiday season upon us, many of us are gearing up for an exciting period of entertaining and hosting overnight guests. While we know in the back of our busy minds that our guests are there to see us – not the state of our kitchen floor – we still obsess over the details
The Mannered Mom on… Hosting a Family of Guests Read More »
As the mother of two young children and recipient of many odd, duplicate, or “way too cute” gifts, I have become a “regifter”. There, I’ve said it. Whether regifting is your answer to a penny-pinched shopping season, you’re a chronic regifter, or if you truly believe some one else will covet the copper pumpkin potpourri
The Mannered Mom on… Re-gifting Without Shame Read More »
Video games are everywhere. You’d think with all of this distraction and hype that parents would want to learn more about what was going on in these virtual worlds consuming their kids, but alas, the fact that they’re everywhere seems to have the opposite effect. Increasingly parents trust their kids to make appropriate gaming choices
The Mannered Mom on… Gaming Without Fear Read More »
It’s back to school time and families everywhere are getting back into the swing of managing busy schedules and commuting needs. As you embark on your carpooling duties – or prepare your child to be a good passenger – there are some things you can keep in mind to keep things on time and at
The Mannered Mom on… Carpooling Read More »
