Parenting Children

The winner of our Bake Me A Wish giveaway according to random.org is comment #101 Barbara! Please check your email and get back to me within 48 hours or I will have to pick a new winner.

I also wanted to let you guys know that I was asked to visit General Mills at the end of this month for a Table Talk event! We will dish about:
-How to bring value, nutrition and family fun to your dinner table
-Exclusive sampling of new products and twists on family favorites
-Ideas of how we can help bring variety to your dinner time
I guarantee you have General Mills products in your house right now, they are the makers of such brands as Progresso, Betty Crocker, Old El Paso, Green Giant and more.

So I would love to know from you if there is anything you want me to tell General Mills? Any products you would like to see, any concerns about their products, what would make cooking for your family easier? Just leave me a comment and I will ask them directly!

giveaways, General Mills, moms, parenting, cooking for family, moms

When we decided to have more children we didn’t want that many years between the twins and the new baby. We wanted to make sure the twins were out of diapers, can play by themselves and be a little self sufficient before we brought home a new baby. We thought 3.5 years was perfect. Unfortunately that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage and by the time we tried again the twins would be 5 years older than Baby K. If we didn’t have twins, I probably would have started trying to get pregnant a lot sooner.
I want to know from other parents what you think the best age difference is.

Irish twins- this is what we call two babies under 2 years old. I think Irish twins are worse than good old regular twins. Getting a 2 month old to sleep and a 22 month old to be quiet? Forget it. It seems like a logistical nightmare.
Bonus: kids that are close in age can enjoy the same activities, have same interests and you can do the same things with them. Also, maybe you can potty train together!
Negative Factors: LACK OF SLEEP. Need I say more?
Two in diapers at once, the older child is really still a baby when you have another baby.

Four years or more- Your older child will be more independent and able to help himself or you when you need things like more diapers or a bib.
Bonus: You can avoid financial toll of two kids in daycare or college at once. Babies LOVE their older siblings and older kids love to help quiet a crying baby or play with them.
Negative factor: kids will be in different places in development, so they might not have such a tight bond as kids closer in age may have. Also, the hand-son parenting will last longer. You just get your older child to be independent and not need you as often and then you have to do the sleepless nights and potty training all over again.

Tell me how you decided what was the best age split for your family?

parenting, parenthood, having more kids, deciding to have another baby, siblings, kids, pregnancy

Lately I have been reading about the “mom” blogging issue that is known now as “Blog-ola”. Apparently many bloggers are writing anything for swag, and even cash.
Moms are the ones who do the most shopping and loyal brand buying in most households. They are a huge influence and companies want them to blog about their products.
I think it is great- to a point. I see many bloggers who have random blogs and write about anything and everything.
I get most of my great recommendations on the newest or tried and true great products from my fellow moms but you can tell when a blogger is just writing posts to get free stuff.

I do not and will not buy something from a recommendation that I think or know someone is being paid to say.

Blog With Integrity, is a result that is needed for blog reform.
From their site: “The Blog with Integrity pledge recognizes that there’s no single right way to blog and more than enough room in the world for different approaches.
What matters is the relationship with our readers. Meeting our commitment to them and to our community. Clear disclosure of our interests so they can evaluate our words. Treating others with respect. Taking responsibility for our words and actions.”

I signed the pledge and you can see my button in my sidebar.
That being said, I wanted to make clear my personal blogging policies. I have never taken anything (cash or a product) to write a positive review about a product.
I often receive products to review and if I do, I say so in my post.
I never do paid posts.
I do not take many products to review, only the ones I feel are a good fit for my blog and readers. I never post a review of something I (or my children) haven’t tried out, and I will always give you the pros as well as the cons in my reviews.

I aks you to join with me and blog with integrity. Let’s make it known to companies that we cannot be bought with a $5 sample.
Don’t frequent blogs that post for payments.
Stand up for yourself as well as for me.

reviews, mom reviews, blog reviews, mommy bloggers, blog with integrity

Tupperware is launching the Chain of Confidence Challenge which invites you to nominate a woman who has inspired you through an act of kindness. Tupperware is no stranger to promoting the empowerment of women. Recently, the company re-established the SMART Girls program at the Boys & Girls Club of America. With a donation of over $1.5 million dollars, Tupperware is dedicated to promoting confidence and healthy lifestyles for young girls, and ensures the next generation of women is given the same chance at confidence.

The Chain of Confidence Challenge is a ‘pay-it-forward’ contest which invites everyone to share their personal stories of inspiration on ChainofConfidence.com by nominating a friend, relative, or member of the Tupperware community, who has empowered them through an act of kindness.
This challenge is committed to reinforcing strong bonds between all women, young and old, by giving thanks and attention to those special women in our support networks. At challenge end, three nominees will receive $5,000 to donate to the charity of their choice!
To nominate a friend, relative of member of the Tupperware community, visit the Chain of Confidence website and write an essay (1500 characters or less) on how a friend or relative has inspired you through an act of kindness by August 14th, 2009.

Giveaway-
Ifyou take the time to nominate someone for the Chain of Confidence Challenge, come back HERE and enter to win a $150 prize pack from Tupperware! The prize includes Impression Tumblers, Ideal Bowl Sets, Rectangular Modular Mates and TupperLiving microfiber dishcloth set and the kitchen towel set.

You MUST nominate someone at the Chain of Confidence website and you MUST include “Parenting Our Children” in your essay so we can verify your entry.

How to enter:

Nominate an inspirational woman at the Chain of Confidence website and include the “Parenting Our Children” in your entry. Come back here and leave me a comment letting me know you did.
I will verify that you entered!

Contest ends August 14th 2009.
Good Luck!

tupperware, Chain of confidence, women, moms, giveaways

With things finally (hopefully!) turning around financially for my family, I have been looking at family vacation spots. I would love to find a vacation that has something for everyone in my family and is inexpensive. Then I was introduced to Epic Summer.
From the site: Epic Summer – A Colorado Family Vacation is a summer program designed by Vail Resorts. Vail Resorts is the premier mountain resort company in the world and our product is the great outdoors. We are a leader in destination-based travel at iconic locations. Our Company operates in three separate segments, but highly integrated segments including mountain, lodging and real estate development. In continuing with our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences we have a created a summer program that allows families to experience an all-inclusive vacation in Colorado

Colorado isn’t the first place I think of when I think of vacation, but once I heard about their special 7 or 4 day getaways, I have to say I really changed my mind.
It is a all-inclusive way for your family to experience Colorado with scenic gondola rides at Keystone and Vail, whitewater rafting in the Rockies, horseback riding in Beaver Creek and panning for gold in Breckenridge, there is something for everyone.
Epic Summer — A Colorado Family Adventure . This is a trip unlike any other because they take care of all the planning and details, and they pair your family up with a local guide who knows the area intimately.
The age range for them to accommodate kid’s needs are 6-12 and they have great activities for them as well.

With everything from meals to outdoor trips covered, all you have to do is have fun! Plus, the all-inclusive pricing proves surprisingly affordable. I think we will keep this on our list of family vacation spots!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog and giveaway campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Epic Summer and Vail Resorts. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

family vacations, vacations spots, Epic Summer, Epic Summer A Colorado Family Vacation

I recently read and article in a parenting magazine that was about the 6 friends every mom should have. They were a glamorous friend, a mom friend that is much like you and a brutally honest friend. I think they left a few off of the list so I wanted to compile my own list. These are the friends I keep around and I think you should too:

The single friend. Sure you are not into the singles lifestyle anymore but that doesn’t mean you don’t crave your old life a little sometimes. The single friend is a perfect companion for some “girls night out”. They know all the hot new places to go for dinner or a drink and the big bonus is no kid talk.
Plus you can live vicariously through her all the while glad you are not her any longer!

The friend with a pool. C’mon, we all you those are the most popular friends in the summertime.
Bring over a snack for the kids and a little sangria for you two and watch the kids swim and have a ball while you get to catch up with your friend and enjoy each other’s children.
Better yet, get a pool for your yard and you will have no problem with boredom this summer.

The friend with kids around the same age as your kids. Maybe you wouldn’t be friends if you didn’t have kids the same ages, but it is good to have. Not only with your children like to visit with you and are entertained but you can compare mom stories and maybe get some parenting tips and tricks along the way. The best advice usually comes from other moms.

I would love to know who you think are your most valuable friends.

moms, parenting, mom friends, parenting children, kids

We were never allowed to have horrible snacks in our house and by horrible, I mean the good kind. I think the most outrageous snacks we had on hand were Kudos bars, you know- the chocolate covered granola bars. Somehow they slipped through my moms junk food crack down. Lest you think we were that deprived I have to say we were allowed the occasional ice cream.

Finding healthy snacks for my kids is becoming increasingly hard. They love healthy snacks here at home, they beg for hummas, yogurt and vegetables and dip. School is a different story. There they see what all their friends have for snacks and lunch. Suddenly I am in the grocery store and my kids are pointing out all the things their friends bring, Yogos! (what are those anyway?) Cheetos! Fruit snacks! All the *great* things that I don’t let my kids have.

Can I keep my kids on the healthy track all their lives? I am sure that I can’t and as long as they have healthy eating habits at home, I know it is okay to indulge in birthday cakes and sugary snacks once in awhile. After all, I can’t keep them locked in the house with no knowledge of chocolate flavored cereals forever! I will try to keep them on the straight and narrow for as long as I can but if I ever see them with a Hi-C mustache, I can’t guarantee they will ever leave the house again!

healthy snacks, school lunches, kids, healthy eating, snacks for kids, parenting

Why Milk? Why Not Milk? Milk is one of those beverages that goes fast in my house, the baby and my son LOVE milk. My daughter? Not so much. To get more calcium in her diet we have chocolate milk, atmeal made with milk or make smoothies which is my kid’s favorite drinks.

Did you know a standard 8-oz. serving of milk provides:
30% Calcium - Helps build strong bones and teeth; reduces the risk of stress fractures and osteoporosis. Plays a role in promoting normal blood pressure.
25% Vitamin D - New and emerging research reveals that vitamin D, nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin,” may help support a healthy heart, normal blood pressure, healthy aging and help regulate the immune system.
20% Phosphorus - Works with calcium and vitamin D to help keep bones strong.
20% Riboflavin - Helps convert food into energy. Plays a vital role in the development of the nervous system.
16% Protein - Helps build and maintain lean muscle; the high quality protein in milk contains all of the essential amino acids (the building blocks for protein).
13% Vitamin B-12 - Works closely with folate to make red blood cells. Helps maintain the central nervous system.
11% Potassium - Helps regulate the balance of fluids in your body. Plays a role in maintaining normal blood pressure
10% Vitamin A - Supports good vision, healthy skin and maintains integrity of immune system.
10% Niacin - Helps enzymes function normally in your body.

Check out the Why Milk website for recipes like pudding, smoothies and soups.
Thanks to Mom Central for getting the word out!

why milk, milk, calcium for kids, healthy eating, recipes for kids

Having twins is truly a blessing but can be difficult as well. Just because you had two babies at once doesn’t mean they are the same child, they are individuals and they have shown that to us since they were in the womb. My daughter was bFrom conception, she was taking all the nutrients, and on one ultrasound I did witness her kicking her brother in the head.
L, my son was and still is smaller, more sensitive, a follower and his sister is his leader. He got his sister back for kicking him in the head by urinating on her when they were one day old.

Parenting these children at the same time can be challenging. I don’t think aboutmy “parenting style” very often and I sometimes wonder if i do have one. I tend to be the parent that disciplines more but I also have more patience.
Do you have a parenting style like authoritative or laid back and parent all your children that way, or do you change your parenting style to fit the child?
Does having a different parenting style for each child cause conflict in the family, like jealousy?

These are things my husband and I struggle with when one child is a better sleeper and is very bossy and the other is very sensitive and shy.

I want to know, what type of parent are you?

parenting, parenting styles, kids, children, moms, dads, family, families, teens, new parents, raising children, moms, parenting children

My husband and I believe it is never too early to teach children about nature. They are naturally curious and it is easy to feed their curiosities. Even tiny babies love their feet in the cool grass or sand or water! There are many activities you can do with your child to develop their love of the natural world.

Bird Watch- Buy a bird book for your region or take one out of the library. Buy a pair of binoculars to see which birds come to your yard. Buy a bird feeder or bath or make one of your own with pine cones, peanut butter and seeds.
Find an aviary in your area.

Go on a nature walk or hike- Look for pretty leaves and flowers, gather some and bring home to press under two pieces of wax paper.
Have a scavenger hunt on your walk. Before you go out make a list of things you hope to see on your trail, check off the things as you see or find them.

Camp- As nervous about camping with kids as I am? Put up the tent in your backyard. Have a practice run with s’mores, campfire stories and flashlights. This will give your kids and you the chance to see if you are all ready for a big time camping trip.

Journal- have your kids keep a journal of what they see, or hear (bird calls, frogs, crickets) every day. This will allow your kids reading and writing practice as well as a love of the world around them.

What do you do with your children outdoors?

parenting, parenting children, summer activities, children, kids, introducing children to nature

When my twins started pre-school, we knew we wanted to keep them together. Their pre-school was private and there was no problem with that arrangement. When it came time for public kindergarten, I knew I would fight for the right of my twins to stay together. It turns out they wanted separate classrooms and teachers but wanted to know the other was right there in case they needed each other.
The school and teachers were very helpful of our arrangement. After all our twins were the only ones in kindergarten that were separated, the other 3 sets were all kept in the same class per their parents.

Traditionally, schools have had a preference for, and some have mandatory policies separating twins in classrooms. It was thought that twins would learn better apart from each other.
Not always true as many studies have proved.
We were lucky our school in NJ was flexible they told us they read that separating twins was not always for the best so they left the choice up to the parents.
When we moved to NH they told us they always separate twins, which was fine because they had already thrived in their own classrooms, but I wanted to argue the case with them that their policy was not always the best.
In recent years, psychologists and twin experts recommend that unless there is a compelling reason to separate multiples, the benefits of keeping them together, especially in elementary school, outweigh the cons.

Our twins are fraternal B/G twins and that seems to have made it a little easier when they decided to separate. We let it be their decision with it known to my children and their teachers that if the arrangement didn’t work, we would put them back together.

I would have kept my twins together in school if:
They were very similar and need a similar teaching style- maybe the school only has one type of teacher they both needed.
They had a traumatic event in their lives- keeping them together will comfort them and allow them to learn and thrive
They were not thriving in separate classes- if their separation had a negative impact on their thriving in the classroom I would ask for them to be put together.

If you are thinking of keeping your twins together in school I would have a meeting with the principle and guidance counselor.
Tell me, did you separate your multiples in school?

twins, separating multiples in school, when to separate twins in school, separating twins, parents of multiples, parents of twins, twins in school, parenting children

When thinking about next years birthday party for my twins, my husband and I decided that we wanted a home birthday party. Since we live in NH now there isn’t many places to do a birthday party out anyway. I think I know just what to do during the party too- Wii!

Birthday Party Bash for is a fun and interactive new Nintendo Wii game just released July 14th, from 2K Play. Invite your child’s friends over with the included invitations for a unique birthday experience or just get the family together and let the party begin with a roster of mini-games, game rooms and fun!
In Birthday Party Bash up to 12 partygoers can play their way through over 20 birthday mini-games. My kids and their cousins LOVED this game and had so much fun playing it.
They can’t wait to use it at their real birthday party.

Some of the Features include:
-Over 20 classic birthday party games including Pin the Tail, Hot Potato, Present Frenzy, Balloon Popper, Musical Chairs, Sack Race and many more.
-Ten different girl and boy themed party rooms including: pirate, glamour, sports, princess, construction, stuffed animals, monsters, magical forest, army men and music.
-Customize customizable for any birthday boy, girl, friends and family (even grandma).
-Accommodates up to 12 players.
-Free party invitations and special Duncan Hines coupon included to bring the virtual party into reality.

Now you can have an old fashioned birthday party at home with a new twist!

Birthday party bash, Wii games, new Wii games, kids, parenitng, birthday parties, birthday party ideas, parenting, games, mom reviews

There is one thing I have always made the time for and that was writing in my children’s baby books. I think writing down “firsts” and memories of baby’s first year or beyond is priceless. I always wondered why nobody ever made books that go beyond baby’s first year. While Between You and Me Journals are not quite record books, they are even better!

From the site: Give these keepsake journals to the people you care about most. Each hardcover, spiral-bound book
measures 6 ½ ” x 7 ¼ ” and contains 35 - 45 fun-to-ask and fun-to-answer questions.
You get them back with handwritten responses you’ll cherish forever.
They have books for mothers, sons, sisters, grandparents, dads couples and even for reunions!
Inside each book there are 35-45 questions for you or your recipient to answer. For example “what is your favorite childhood memory”, “before we met, what did you picture your future mate like?” or “when we were kids, what did you like most about me?”.

These books are perfect keepsake journals you can pass down to your children. A great way to share family traditions, memories and history. At just $14.95 each, these are great for a Anniversary, birthday, baby shower or a “just because” gift.
There are now spanish versions available and if you want to buy a bunch for your whole family, ask about their bulk discounts.
Discount: For every book you order take $1.00 off by using the code: PARENTING. Now, this code is for my parentingourchildren.com readers, but feel free to share!
I think I just found my new, unique go-to gift!

Between You and Me Journals, keepsake journals, Between you and me, baby shower gifts, parenting, children keepsakes, children’s journals, journals for kids, gifts for kids, gift ideas

Someone should tell you when you get married it’s the “I’ll nevers” that will kill you.
I’ll never will let my kids watch TV………
I’ll never let them eat processed foods………
I’ll never do what my parents did…….

Just thinking about those words, never mind uttering them puts exactly what you dread right onto your plate. I can say I have been a bit less rigid about parenting over the last few years. I don’t get stiff and have a lump in my throat when people hae given my kids things I would never let them eat.
I am more lax when it comes to my mother-in-law parenting my children. I can bend the rules a little and let me tell you something, I have never felt so free as a parent.
It made me feel wonderful and so less stressed to say yes rather than weigh the pros and cons and have a small debate in my head.

I was so happy with myself when I decided the kids could stay up a little later and have a second ice pop. It made my kids happy and in turn made me happy.
Of course, there is a place for rules and some of the rules I have are to make sure my kids are safe or happy and some of them are to make sure I don’t go insane.

Parenting is a roll of the dice and because you let your children watch whatever they want on TV or let them eat fruit without washing it first does not make a better mother.
It makes me a different mother with different kids than yours.
Each of my children needs different things from me and I need to give it to them. It is my job to know when to bend the rules and when to say yes.
Do they need a box of high fructose cereal with a side of perservatives? Nope, but it is sure nice to say yes.
Sometimes.

parenting, parenting our children, kids, teens, toddlers, twins, moms, saying yes to kids, disciplining children

Twitter moms and Parents Connect are having a fun contest about Momfinitions. You know what momfinitions are, they are parenting terms that may or may not have caught on with the rest of the world.
Here are mine:

Mom Date [mom date] verb- to go out with other moms and talk about mom like things
“I would really like to clean these dishes but I have a mom date I am looking forward to with Stacy at 4pm.”

Twincident [ba-bo-bed]-noun- An accident involving twins.
“I am sorry you bumped head with each other, it was just a twincident”

Suburban Momporn-[sub-er-ban mom porn]-noun- Any magazine or website that is about food, recipes or anything culinary related.
“It is the beginning of the month, the mail man should be delivering my suburban mom porn soon!”

WWWee [W W wee] verb- the action of trying to wrestle your toddler to put on a new diaper or his shoes.
“Wow! That WWE session left me with a bruise and perhaps a minor concussion but he has his shoes on!”

Toynando [toy-na-do] verb- what your house looks like after 11am.
“I will help you with your homework after I clean up the toynado in the living room!”

So those are mine and I would love to read yours, I hope you will leave your favorite momfinitions in the comments!

momfinitions, parenting, kids, children, moms, twitter moms