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 »
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 »
Spring is finally here! When the warm weather arrives, I know by the young kids playing on the block I live. It feels like the Daytona 500 with all of the Power Wheels vehicles driving on our street, except real racecar drivers are more conservative. Different types of balls everywhere, and bubbles everywhere.
After a long New York winter it’s fantastic to finally go outside and enjoy some nice 70 degree sunshine for a change. I love spring. The weather is ideal and the bugs haven’t made their way out yet. It’s the best time to play outside with my boy.
Spring Weather and Outdoor Toys Read More »
We need the Susan Boyle’s not just for their talent, but to start culture-wide conversations. The Internet is unifying human experience the way that television did.
What Susan Boyle Means for Parents: It’s Not Pretty; It’s Beautiful Read More »
I find myself babbling long-winded solutions to life’s little problems. I guess, in a way, that’s the way I became the Brady Bunch.
The Brady Connection 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
Over the last ten years I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the Western Toy and Hobby Show several times. The Western Toy and Hobby Show has always been one of the more enjoyable shows for me.
Western Toy and Hobby Show Read More »
In the last few days I have flown five plus hours from New York to Los Angles and just completed a fifteen hour flight from Los Angles to Hong Kong. I’m now waiting to embark on a five hour, third leg of my trip to my final destination, Singapore
Breaking Technology 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 grew up in a middle class Long Island, New York neighborhood. We weren’t poor and we weren’t rich. My parents were hard working people who watched their P’s and Q’s. My two sisters and I got what we needed and for the most part were content. That is until the 4th grade.
Our son, Nico, is 17 months old and he absolutely adores music. He claps his hands and dances everytime he hears even the shortest jingle. There is always music playing in our house.
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 »
You Say Budget Like It’s a Bad Thing! As predicted, last weekend (the first weekend after the historic election) saw people going to the stores to make start their holiday shopping. With the uncertainty of the election season behind us, and the prospect that the economy is not going to turn around by magic over
Is the Economic Crisis Creating Happier and Smarter Shoppers? Read More »
A very funny story happened to me about 10 years ago that we can all learn from. The year was 1998, and Furby was the hot toy of the year. You couldn’t get it anywhere, and people were frantic to try to get it. It was about 10 days before Christmas when I received a
Promises, Promises! Read More »
