I’ve been talking to a lot of parents about summer reading and some of the challenges they’re facing getting their kids to read-even when it’s assigned by the school.
Summer Semester: Technology Saves the Day Read More »
With the release of the trailer for Rock Band’s new Beatles Rock Band I’ve become all fired up. As a child of former hippies the Beatles where a staple in our house hold. Till this day they are the band to which I measure all other bands. It is if they are water, the basic necessity for life and all other bands are just flavors added to water. As a parent now I find myself playing Beatles songs for my son. And just like his father and his father before him he has taken to the fab four. Below is a list, in no particular order, of a few our favorite child friendly Beatles songs.
The Beatles Children Songs Read More »
School is almost over! My daughter is graduating in two weeks, but has a few finals this week. (Why do they give senior finals at the end of the year; does it really make a difference?) My other daughters have finals and then summer begins! One girl in camp for three weeks, a little vacation, and a little fun.
Back to School – already Read More »
Last week, I spoke about the need to be active, and I heard from tons of people who remember with fondness the ready accessibility of firecrackers, M-80s, cherry bombs and the like.
Summer Semester: The Joys of Reading Read More »
What better way to teach your children about healthy living than growing your own vegetables together? Kids are natural gardeners. By the time they’re about 4 years old, they’re eager to help and ready to learn about growing veggies. Plus, children are more likely to eat – or at least try – vegetables they’ve grown themselves.
TTPM: In The Garden Read More »
A lot has changed since I was a kid. You probably don’t want to know this, but we had ready access to cherry bombs, M-80s and other things that blew up. A pack of matches, the gas can out of the garage and a bucket of army men was enough to entertain us for the afternoon. Left to our own devices, we had many a wonderful day, and without ongoing parental supervision, well…let’s just say it’s a good thing we all have all our fingers and toes. But it does strike me as alarming that with all the constant mini-explosions going on in our neighborhood (53 kids under 13 spread out over two city blocks), that no adults ever seemed to be worried. “Be careful,” “Outdoors with that,” and “Not near the cat,” were the most dire warnings we got. We were turned outdoors after breakfast, expected back for lunch and had to come in after the street lights came on. It’s not like that today.
Summer Semester: Get Out and Play Read More »
The decision is one of the hardest, yet most important you’ll ever make – what to name your baby. It seems easy and straightforward, right – I mean it’s just a name. We all have one. How hard could this be? No pressure – but your decision will impact and influence their entire life.
TTPM.com: The Name Game Read More »
When I would crash my bike or fall out of a tree, which happened a lot as I was a really active kid, my parents’ admonition was always, “shake it off.” (Not that I didn’t get proper medical attention when broken bones and concussions were involved.) I learned to do that, and later, coaches would admonish me to “walk it off” if I got the wind knocked out of me playing sports. It’s great advice. I learned that my spirit was stronger than any injury, and I learned how to avoid that horrible epithet—”cry baby.”
Laugh It Off – Why Humor Matters Read More »
One observation I’ve made over years is that toy companies are adverse to making food play toys. The common consensus is that parents tend to avoid such purchases in fear of instigating a mess. But seriously, what better way to teach your child than with play?
Eating Can Be Fun Too Read More »
The Back-to-School season is a huge cultural event. Retailers invest millions trying to get you to stock up on new supplies, new clothes and hundreds of other items. No surprise; it’s a big transition time for families as schedules are reconfigured and families switch into high gear.
Back to Summer – A Season that Needs Planning Read More »
This is National Turn off the TV Week that promotes turning off the television and finding other activities. In my house, you will not find the television turned off. I liken this to a crash diet that you lose 10 lbs in a week but then return to your normal lifestyle and way of eating the following week
Turn off the TV Week – I’m not Participating Read More »
When I was growing up, we got our training in manners from our parents and grandparents and virtually every other adult in our life. Elbows did not go on the table. Talking with the mouth full was verboten. If you didn’t utter “please” or “thank you,” you might as well not have spoken
Goops, Games and the Real World Read More »
Recently our 18 month old son decided that he doesn’t want to wear a bib anymore. Once he’s in his booster seat and he sees that sucka coming he scrunches his neck and squeals a continuous giggling of ‘no’s.
As I’ve always suspected play is not just for children, athletes and weekends, but rather it is as essential to the human condition as water and air. Check out Stuart Browns lecture, “Why Play Is Vital — No Matter Your Age”, and enjoy a very insightful look at why we need to play. See you at the playgroun
When kids are engaged in open-ended play or on the playground, the occasional bump and scrape is almost unavoidable, and it’s not always a bad thing.
Bumps and Scrapes-Not the End of the World Read More »
Ah, yes, if we didn’t need something else to get our knickers in a twist over, now there is evidently “controversy” over the fact that Dora the Explorer is growing up.
Dora – GASP – Grows Up 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 been talking to a lot of parents lately about allowances. It’s not an easy subject, but as the economy contracts, having an allowance may actually be a benefit.
The Allowance Question Read More »
Yes, this is another response to the latest Ann Coulter kerfuffle. Coulter, who spews bile, dresses provocatively and, apparently laughs all the way to the bank, is raking in piles of publicity. One thing we can all agree on: The woman knows how to market herself.
What in Heaven’s Name Are We Modeling for Our Kids? Read More »
I’ve been thinking a lot about the song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” this week. Partially because, well, it’s the season, but also because I heard Liza sing it in her fantastic show at The Palace last week. But mostly, I’ve been thinking about it as I’ve been talking to people who are in
It’s Here: Enjoying Christmas Presents 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 »
I am often asked this question: When you go to buy the toy your child wants, and find out it’s a hot toy and there are none left, what do you do?
What To Do When Your Kids Favorite Toy is Sold Out Read More »
