What To Do When the Weather Outside is Frightful

Welcome to the first official day of winter. Mother Nature didn’t disappoint folks here in the Upper Midwest. Those who feared we wouldn’t enjoy a white Christmas are likely hitting themselves right now… with snow shovels. We got dumped on overnight; severely smashed by a massive winter storm that came in like an angry warlock. In fact, the conditions were so poor late yesterday children were told to remain indoors. For parents, cabin fever is no fun to deal with this close to Christmas. Fortunately, there are ways to keep kids from killing one another when they are forced to … Continue reading →

Don’t Pay For Convenience

As chaotic as most parents’ lives are, it’s no wonder products such as bagged salad, pre-cut cantaloupe and rotisserie chicken are in high demand. Unfortunately, convenience often comes with a hefty price tag. Think about how much you spend on items that make your life easier. Even if you purchase four cheap bags of salad each week for an entire year, you’re looking at paying at least a few hundreds dollars. You could save money by purchasing a head of lettuce, whole carrots and some celery, and then chopping them up yourself, but how do you put a price tag … Continue reading →

Seasonal Parent-Child Bonding on the Cheap

A winter storm watch has been issued for my neck of the woods. Meteorologists are predicting nearly eight inches of the white stuff will fall in less than 24 hours. As a parent, who was born and raised in Hawaii, and despises the snow and cold, I am really not looking forward to dealing with icy roads and below freezing temperatures. Still, my kid is a Wisconsinite, so I have to do what any good mother would do—suck it up. Sacrifice; it’s the hallmark of good parenting, right? Winter presents a unique challenge for many parents. Some days, Mother Nature’s … Continue reading →

Rock the Mini Vote

Will you be bringing your kids along when you place your vote on Tuesday? Most parents wouldn’t dream of dragging a squirmy tot the polls on what is supposed to be an historical Election Day, especially since long lines have been making headlines from coast-to-coast. However, if you have the means, you might consider sharing the voting experience with your child. Today, my third grader came home with a note from her teacher encouraging moms and dads to have their kids accompany them in the voting booth. She wants the kids to get a first-hand look at the electoral process. … Continue reading →

Halloween-Themed Boredom Busters for Kids

A visitor far creepier than Jason, Freddie or Norman Bates is about to storm the East Coast just in time to potentially ruin Halloween for millions of young trick-or-treaters. Hurricane Sandy is threatening to put the kibosh on All Hallows’ Eve festivities up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Residents are hunkering down in preparation for the big blow. Government officials predict some people could be without power for days in the wake of the vicious winds, rain and snow associated with the super storm. So what does this mean for parents whose children will be enjoying an unexpected hiatus from … Continue reading →

Sweet Treats

Sunday is National Dessert Day. If you are looking for a reason to indulge on a decadent treat, you have a great excuse. However, if you are a parent, you have an even better reason to spend time bonding with your child in the kitchen. Kids love to exercise their creative muscles making edible masterpieces. Give them the opportunity to hone their culinary skills by assisting them with the following simple recipe. Then, take it a step further by using the special day to give them your full attention. Chat, laugh and make merry while splurging on these chocolate goodies. … Continue reading →

Branded Kids

Last week: “Mommy, life is a fajita.” Last night: “Actually, Mommy, life is not a fajita; it’s a pulled pork sandwich.” Thanks, McCormick. My 8-year-old is not allowed to watch more than an hour of TV per day, but clearly that hasn’t stopped her from being sucked in by marketers hawking prepackaged spice mixtures. In fact, I’m starting to wonder if my child’s habit of integrating commercial content into her everyday life is triggered by the fact that she is limited to just 60 minutes of TV viewing a day. That hour is precious to her and she spends it … Continue reading →

I So Called It

Ten days. Ten short days, people. It took just 10 days, 14 hours, 26 minutes and 50 seconds before my daughter uttered these three words: “I hate school.” So, yeah, the novelty of the new academic year has already worn off and now we’re back to dealing with bullies and bad attitudes. I so called it. Thank goodness for art. It’s been a saving grace in more ways than one. Fortunately, my daughter loves art class, so I use it as incentive to get her out of bed and off to school with at least 1/10th of a smile on … Continue reading →

Back-to-School Breakfast Ideas

Now that the new school year is underway, my days as a short order cook are over… at least when it comes to breakfast. This summer, I could have easily earned employee of the month honors as a flapjack flipper at IHOP, but instead chose to use my pancake-making skills to keep my 7-year-old happy and full. Kids need a healthy breakfast in order for their bodies and brains to function properly. However, during the school year, this important morning meal often gets skipped in the interest of saving time or scoring a few more minutes of sleep. Ironically, eating … Continue reading →

Back-to-School Motivators

Like mother like daughter. When it comes to back-to-school, my daughter and I are on the same page. I’m not singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and my kid is not tailgating at the bus stop. Instead, we’ve been desperately clinging to the last days of summer vacation, squeezing in as many outdoor activities as possible before she is forced to remain indoors for nearly seven hours per day. It’s not that my child hates school; it’s just that she enjoys summer more. Ditto for the Mama; only I don’t make a habit of verbalizing my personal … Continue reading →