Author Archives: Nicki Bradley

Do You Support A School Wide Cell Phone Ban?

Parents in New York City are up in arms over the recent enforcement of an old cell phone restriction in high schools. Many schools allow cell phones but restrict usage to certain areas or times of the day. New York City restricts the phones all together. The restriction was in place for a long time but was rarely enforced. Students routinely brought and used cell phones at school. However, now New York City’s Major Bloomberg spoke out in support of the use of portable scanners in schools to aide in finding unauthorized objects. Since then, cell phones have been confiscated … Continue reading →

Father’s Day Gift Idea: Coupon Books

This is the last of a four part series of Father’s Day ideas from the heart – creative, fun, inexpensive, and most of all, memorable Father’s Day gifts you can put together with your children this year. COUPON BOOKS This is an incredibly easy and quick gift – perfect for last minute gift-giving. If you have a printer and paper, it’s free! Dads love to be pampered just like us Moms – just in different ways. Think of the ways your husband would love to be pampered and write up a book full of coupons. These coupons can have an … Continue reading →

Father’s Day Gift Idea: Themed Gift Baskets

This is part three in a series of Father’s Day ideas from the heart – creative, fun, inexpensive, and most of all, memorable Father’s Day gifts you can put together with your children this year. Gift Baskets Gift baskets are an easy and fun way to get kids involved in picking out a gift for Dad. They can be as inexpensive and affordable as you want to make them. Gather the kids and discuss together what Dad’s interests and passions are. Decide on a “theme” for your gift basket. Here are some possible themes: Tools – Protective goggles, tape measure, … Continue reading →

Father’s Day Gift Idea: Daddy Books

This is the second in a series of Father’s Day ideas from the heart – creative, fun, inexpensive, and most of all, memorable Father’s Day gifts you can put together with your children this year. Daddy Books This idea is simple, very inexpensive and gives Dad something he can hang on to for a lifetime and look back on year after year. A Daddy Book is a child’s book to Dad with pictures and expressions relaying all their favorite Daddy-related memories. All children who are verbal can create a Daddy book and all children – young and old – enjoy … Continue reading →

Father’s Day Gift Idea: Stepping Stones

Ok, so Dad might really enjoy a week away golfing in Vegas but let’s be real! When us Moms are juggling so much and finances are tight and a week in paradise isn’t a realistic option, we need to be more creative. I like to give my husband a token of my appreciation and a little something from all of our children, as well. After all, he’s their father, not mine! But finding something that six small kids can do or make for their father is a daunting task. This is the first in a series of Father’s Day ideas … Continue reading →

Backyard Neighborhood Summer Camp For Kids!

Last year, my kids and I got it into our heads that we ought to create summer camp right here in our own back yard. This is a fun, inexpensive way to encourage kids from the neighborhood to pay a visit and stay for awhile and a great way for kids to enjoy a summer camp experience without spending the money, doing the car-pool thing or spending days away from your favorite buddies. Step One: Create a time frame that you will hold camp. This might be every day for a week or one day a week for the whole … Continue reading →

A New Parent’s Surprising Look at Birth Control

We do so love our children. But many of us find ourselves in a position of wanting to slow down or stop the baby-making. Most of us know the basics about birth control. We know that condoms are effective if used consistently and as long as they do not break. We know that The Pill is very effective but may have side-effects that are not pleasant. We know about abstinence. But what are the other options and how effective are there? Are there any issues for those of us with post-childbirth bodies? Did you know that the withdrawal method is … Continue reading →

Parents: Considering Homeschooling?

It’s that time of year. Parents are wrapping up another school year with their kids. Hopefully this was a fantastic year but sometimes parents are faced with the challenge of making difficult educational decisions for their children’s future school career. Perhaps your child is struggling to keep up. Perhaps the social experience of school was painful and difficult for your child. Perhaps your child has shown gifts that their current school is not prepared to support. Maybe your child has been diagnosed with a learning disability or ADHD and you question the diagnosis or the treatment. There are many situations … Continue reading →

TV: How Much Is Too Much?

The survey results from the Kaiser Family Foundation were released recently showing a disturbing trend in “screen time” for children. Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that all screen time be limited to just 1-2 hours per day, Nielsen data shows that children are spend approximately 3 hours per day watching television and a whopping 6.5 hours per day in front of all combined screens. This hasn’t changed much in the last few years; there seem to be new trends adding to the old. Twenty percent of children, we have learned, have a television in their bedroom before the … Continue reading →

The Parental Price of Technology

What do you think of when you read the title of this article? Do you think about how expensive it is to keep up with the latest and greatest new gaming system your child just must have? Or how to save money buying your child’s next computer? Think again. I’ve written a few articles about the benefits of having a technologically driven home such as why you should buy your child a cell phone and a fun look at tech toys for tots. I’ve also written articles about how children should be monitored online and how parents should watch out … Continue reading →