Who says you have to fork over thousands of dollars or travel hundreds of miles to strengthen the parent/child bond? During the summer months, many moms and dads feel obligated to spend an exorbitant amount of money on fancy vacations in an effort to build a better relationship with their children. However, child psychologists say the best gift you can give your child while he or she is out of school is good old fashion time. Instead of handing over a wad of cash to your kid and letting him run amuck at the mall while you get some chores … Continue reading →

While some parents are busy belting out “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” I am desperately trying to squeeze as much outdoor fun into what’s left of my daughter’s summer break. Classes resume next week and neither one of us is ready to say so long to the season. My family spends a ton of time outside during the summer months, and this year has been no exception, despite the record-breaking heat. Now that the new school year is about to start, we are trying to get in as many outdoor adventures as possible. Since I telecommute, I … Continue reading →

So long summer. My soon-to-be third grader heads back to school next week and she couldn’t be sadder. Ditto for the mama. I’ve never been one of those Staples commercial-type parents, who glide through school supply aisles belting out, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” at the top of my lungs. Honestly, I dread back-to-school season and the tears and tantrums that come with it. Consequently, I’ve learned to ease into the end of August. After all, crabby kid = crabby mommy. To lessen the back-to-school blow, I’ve been trying to distract my daughter with fun, affordable and … Continue reading →

Remember the days in high school when the captain of the football team or president of the student body wouldn’t give you the time of day, let alone a peck on the cheek. Back then, you may have lamented the harsh sting of loneliness and wondered if you’d be doomed to walk the halls of life solo for the rest of eternity. Then, you gave birth and going to the toilet, showering, or even brushing your teeth became a team sport. From the moment your baby arrives in your arms until he or she moves out of the nest, “me … Continue reading →

My daughter loves getting mail. Not email, snail mail. She’s seven years old and doesn’t own a Smartphone, computer or any other digital device which allows her to email her BFFs to LOL about her WAHM. She does it via longhand, instead. While I dread the short walk from the front door to the mailbox for fear of what other bill may be waiting for me there, my kid counts down to the mail carrier’s visit each day. We’re old school here at Casa Cheplic and the United States Postal Service loves us for it. Why? Two words: Pen Pal. … Continue reading →

August is here. We’re more than halfway through summer. How are you holding up? At this point, many parents are counting down the days until school starts, especially if their kids are suffering from a severe case of the summer blues. If summer camp is winding down, you’re broke from splurging on an extended Fourth of July family vacation, or you simply need a quick, easy and affordable way to keep your kids entertained and your sanity preserved, consider taking a trip… to the Dollar Store. A quick ride the Dollar Store or a spin around the dollar bins at … Continue reading →

How do you keep your kids from singing the summer blues? My daughter is suffering from too-much-pool-itis. Consequently, her singing has gotten louder in the last few days. I feel for her. It’s too hot to simply play outside in the yard. You really have to be immersed in water if you are going to be exposed to the sun for a prolonged period of time. Still, I don’t want her sitting in an air conditioned house staring at a TV all day, just because she wants to take a break from the pool. Fortunately, my kid is a whiz … Continue reading →

Kids in Hawaii started the new school year last Monday. Meanwhile, my pal in Atlanta just told me her kids head back to class tomorrow. Are you ready to say so long to summer? I’m not! I am dreading the back-to-school blues, including packing lunches, ironing uniforms, looking for missing shoes as the bus sits at the end of the driveway, and fighting with kids about going to bed when the sun is still shining brightly at 7:30 p.m. Still, if there is an upside to back-to-school, it’s got to be the sales. Not the ones on school supplies; rather, … Continue reading →

You don’t need to stroll down the baby book aisle at your local library or even Google “pregnancy concerns” to learn about all the ways you can harm your unborn child. Stress, unhealthy eating, excessive consumption of alcohol and spending too much time in a hot tub are huge no-nos for pregnant women. Now, women looking to add to their families can tack yet another risk to the ever-growing list: Working after the eighth month of pregnancy. According to a new study conducted by the University of Essex–which compiled research done in the UK and the US–women who continue to … Continue reading →

Last year, I gave into the hype and actually purchased chocolate-covered bacon on a stick at the Wisconsin State Fair. It was as gross as I thought it would be… for $5. If you like fatty strips of bacon threaded on a wooden skewer and dipped into gooey milk chocolate, you’ll likely find the sweet and salty treat to be incredibly appealing. However, if you prefer spending hot summer days cooling off with a frozen slice of heaven on a stick, I would highly suggest making the following. Not only are these easy recipes kid-friendly, but they are also a … Continue reading →