It’s not just celebrities that are on the party circuit! It seems like there’s a kids’ birthday party every weekend—and, gasp, sometimes it’s your turn to throw the shindig. When you’re the hostess with the mostest (and sometimes the leastest inspiration), the idea of adding a goodie bag (what celebrities call “swag”) to your planning […]
Your Lovely Parting Gift: Goodie Bag Ideas Read More »
Valentine’s Day for me evokes memories of making tissue box mailboxes and trying to eat all of the sugary goodness that came with cute pictures of cats on tiny cards before getting home from school. These days kids give and get more than just the tiny cards with witty sayings on them and a piece
Valentine’s Day Ideas Read More »
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 »
I’m hoping that this is the year we can all start having an honest conversation about toys, gender identity and socialization. It’s certainly a topic that can get people all worked up, but is it real? I don’t think so. Like so much in the media in the “age of outrage,” this is often something that’s cooked up so that people can a) pontificate on talk shows and b) sell books or consulting services. Either way, some people are getting rich making you think that a color (pink) has the mystical power to form the personality of the girls in your life.
You know about renting films, cars, even handbags or bridesmaids dresses. But how about renting toys for your kids? Is this a good idea? Certainly several sites and some news outlets have been buzzing about this as a new trend. While it might seem a good idea, there are some things you’d probably want to consider before signing up for one of these programs.
Toy Rentals—Are They Worth It? Read More »
At our house, we have toys coming out your ears. With three boys ranging from three to twelve years-old, We probably have about every toy they sell in the “boy aisles,” or at least that’s the way it seems at times. I recently decided that enough was enough and set up a rotation plan for
Rotating Toys = A Happy Mom Read More »
With Christmas less than a week away, many of us are very concerned about giving as we race around to try to finish our shopping for everyone on our lists. (I know I’m nowhere near finished, and this may finally be the year that everyone gets funny socks.)
Giving and Receiving on Christmas Read More »
You’re searching for the hot toy and can’t find it. Is there a trick to finding them? Absolutely. Here’s a little trick: During the holiday season, retailers sell most of the toys on a weekend, with traffic starting on Friday evening. Stores want to be prepared for the rush, so they make sure the shelves are full for the weekend. Late afternoon on Friday is a great time to shop, as the toy aisles are full, and you’ll beat the weekend rush.
How to find the hottest toy? Read More »
Sometimes you just have to laugh. I wonder if there isn’t anything in the media or entertainment world these days that can’t provoke adult outrage from someone seeking—and too often getting—publicity. And it all usually comes from one very popular but horribly misguided practice—adults projecting their unresolved personal issues and political agendas on anything that comes in their sights. It doesn’t matter if their opinions makes no sense or ignores the facts; it’s all about getting attention and shocking.
Storytime: Navigating the (Apparent) Minefield Read More »
When you buy a toy that operates on batteries, often they are inexpensive batteries so the toy will work on the “Try Me” mode while on a retailers shelf. It’s important to have batteries to replace these batteries, as a toy won’t work properly on them, or those batteries will deplete shortly. If you’re not sure if they’re “Try Me” batteries, there’s usually a small notice on either the front or back of the package along with batteries required.
Batteries in toys: What You Need to Know Read More »
A mom I know and respect recently talked with me about conversations in her 7-year-old daughter’s class among the kids about how rich their families were. Now before you roll your eyes, understand that this is an age when kids are trying to locate themselves within a peer structure—it’s a natural thing we do as humans—and material status is tangible to kids. So let’s assume that they are not intentionally being monsters but, as kids do when they begin to interact in the world as separate individuals looking for simplistic ways to locate themselves within the social order in which they find themselves. True, these kid interactions can create awkward questions and situations at home, but so can questions about body types, clothing, personal habits and myriad other topics that are new to kids as they first encounter the world outside their homes and realize they are encountering things that are different than what they know. Even as a child blurts out, “Why is that person so like that?” at full volume in a public place, we have to struggle to realize that they are trying to get a grasp on this big, strange world they suddenly find themselves in. They don’t know topics are off limits or inappropriate for a high decibel discussion, even as you, the adult, want to disappear.
An Attitude of Gratitude: Recalling What Thanksgiving is About Read More »
My youngest son just started preschool. He is on the autism spectrum, so he is required to go to public school to receive his therapies. Long story short: our school district is one of the poorest in the entire state of Colorado. This was a surprise to me as there are quite a few affluent
Too Many Toys? Donate to your local School. Read More »
When you were young and kid-free, you could go to eat at just about any restaurant. Fine dining? No problem! Local dive bar? Even better! Chain restaurant with a kids eat free night? Um, pass. Then you have your own kids and think, “I can still go to that swanky new restaurant! Just because other
How to Stay Sane While Out to Eat with Kids. Read More »
If your child is 2 1/2, is it OK to buy a toy that is age graded 3+?
Toys and Age Guidelines Read More »
One of my favorite things to do at this time of year when toys are top of mind for nearly everyone, is to explain to baffled adults-admittedly most of whom don’t have young kids-the wonder of a toy that does “nothing,” for example, a doll, stuffed animal, or other toy that doesn’t have an electronic chip in it. Second best is the incredulous question/statement, “You mean that’s ALL it does?!”
It does NOTHING? Ha! That’s what you think! Read More »
This is the question I am often asked: Do I do my shopping now or do wait until after Thanksgiving when the bigger sales start? Well, if you haven’t shopped for toys that much, you’ll learn this is entirely different than shopping for other presents
Buy Now or Buy Later? Read More »
I write this column every year, and this year won’t be different. Halloween has always been one of my favorites holidays with respect to spending time with my kids. The choosing of the costume (always a long hard decision), trick or treating, and Halloween parties have made Halloween a huge event. (In recent years, the trend has continued to grow as more and more adults look to the holiday as one just for themselves and their families.)
National Trick or Treat Day Read More »
This year will mark my twelfth year for trick-or-treating with kids. I’m a seasoned pro. I can spot the candy my kids will toss out from a mile away. I know which neighbors give out the full sized bars and which will give us toothbrushes. The boys rely on this information when they are “in
Halloween Fun: Trick or Treat or Toys? Read More »
From a Line Around the Block to the Broadway Stage About this time last year, I had the inspiring and heartwarming opportunity to attend the open auditions for Ballet Girls in “Billy Elliot.” It happened again this year, with nearly 200 girls and their parents waiting for hours outside the Broadhurst theatre in New York
Dreams Coming True Read More »
Lots of toys these days give some form of response that’s intended to be positive reinforcement for the play experience. For instance, the toy lights up or makes sounds when kids get the answer correct, or the toy makes an animal noise when they put the right piece in the puzzle. It’s been proven over
Parents v. Positive Reinforcement Toys Read More »
I don’t know about you guys, but I hate it when my kids are wanting to play with a certain toy and they end up dumping the entire contents of their toy box, or bins, on the floor and start looking for all the tiny pieces. Anyone with as large of a collection of Fisher
Death of the Toy Box Read More »
I’ve read a lot this summer about the so-called “brain drain” that happens when kids aren’t engaged in learning, and I’ve talked to parents who believe it’s occurring with their kids. Personally, I never experienced it because both my parents were teachers, and our summers though filled with play were also, as I see it now, filled with learning. My mom especially kept coming up with projects that kept us engaged and learning—when we weren’t outside riding bikes or playing pick up games. In a few weeks family lives will be more structured around specific school activities, but that’s no reason that the fun or learning should stop.
Year-Round Learning…And Play Read More »
With both Mother’s and Father’s Day behind us, it’s nice to feel the love from our kids. Nothing shows that love more than when your kids say they want to be just like you when they grow up. Doctors, Chefs and Construction Workers had long been the main jobs toy makers focus on for pretend/role
Just Like Dad (or Mom!) – Role Play is Important Read More »
If your parents are like mine, they’ve held on to just about every toy you had as a child—whether to remember the days when you were younger, or to have so you can pass them down to their grandchildren one day. But how can you tell if that toy is safe or appropriate for your
Toys at Grandma’s House Read More »
