Parenting Children

My twins will be five next month, just old enough to have definite ideas about what they want for Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, they have always had “favorite” items on their lists like a Little Einstein movie they had seen or a Dora doll. This year they have been preparing their lists for weeks. I introduced them to all the great Christmas movies from my childhood, Rudolph, the Grinch and Frosty. All of which were on regular television, which they are not used to watching. Anything they watch I Tivo and it is from Noggin or Nick Jr where there are no commercials. With these classic movies came the introduction to commercials for everything they don’t need but have to have.

Two weeks ago my daughter started asking for High School Musical 2 DVD. I have no idea what this movie is about, I have only heard of it in passing. I told my daughter this movie was for older kids and that she could get it when she was older.
That was not the answer she wanted to hear.

So for days now, she tells me “I know I am going to get High School Musical!” and ” I know Santa is bringing me High School Musical”. So what do I do? My fear is she will open all of her gifts and wonder where this one DVD is, the one thing she wanted. On the other hand is this movie for older kids and if so should I stick to my guns and not get it for her?

What happens when your child really wants a gun and you do not approve of them? What about when your daughter wants a Bratz doll or makeup and you think those are not great gifts for children?
What do you do when your kids ask for gifts that are not age appropriate?

Christmas gifts, gifts for kids, parenting, Christmas, appropriate gifts for kids

This week New Jersey government voted on a bill to require all children to be vaccinated with the flu vaccine. The bill was approved by the Public Health Council but still needs to be approved by the State Health Commissioner. NJ would be the first state to make this vaccine mandatory. What makes this bill so infuriating to me is that these vaccines contain formaldehyde and 25 micrograms of thimersol (mercury) per dose! The vaccinating of even this small amount of mercury repeatedly year after year from multiple vaccines can cause brain damage.
What happens when there is a flu vaccine “shortage” like they have every year and you can’t get the vaccine for your children? Do they not get enrolled into school?

Now Merck has voluntarily recalled about 1.2 million doses of its Hib (Haemophilus influenzae Type B) vaccines because they may not have been fully sterilized. During testing, Merck found certain bacteria in their vaccine manufacturing equipment, but not in the vaccine themselves. The Hib vaccine is recommended for all children under 5 and is usually given in a three-shot series, starting at 2 months old.

Here is a quote from Dr. Furhman, from the Eat to Live book on these mandatory vaccines that are popping up:
“It seems that lawmakers do not understand that freedom should include freedom from forced medications for ourselves and our children. The fact that we grant religions the right to do anything, but if not under a religious umbrella, those with strong science-based, philosophical-based or strong-personal belief get no such rights, I think this is unconscionable”

Even if you support all vaccines for children, you have to be concerned about the amount of vaccines that are to be administered to children. I would love to hear from you, what do you think about the safety and amount of vaccines required for our children?

Hib vaccine recall, Hib recall, mandatory vaccines, vaccinations, safety of vaccinations, imunizations, NJ mandatory vaccinations, flu vaccine, influenza vaccine, children’s health, parenting, Merck recalls, vaccination recalls

My kids are just getting into playing games on the computer. They loved the Thanksgiving and Halloween printouts and games I found for them. It surprised even me, how may things there are for them to do online, since they are only four. Here are some things I have found that I know my kids love, we love and I know you will love too.

Go check out the Northpole for fun stories and activites. While you are there send a letter to Santa.

Whether you are baking Christmas cookies, putting up the tree or doing your homework play some Christmas music. This site has a ton of free streaming Christmas music stations.

This web site has all the answers to question you may have about Christmas traditions. It has Christmas tree facts, the history of mistletoe and Mrs. Claus or find out about Christmas traditions around the world.

If you are looking for some Christmas games to keep your kids occupied while you wrap gifts, try this site or this one.

Go elf yourself! Turn yourself and up to three other people into elves that sing and dance and is truly addicting. Call in and get your voice elfed too! This is so funny, we did our whole family and sent it to all of our family.

Lastly, get some Christmas jokes for your parties this year, track where Santa is on Christmas Eve, get the real lyrics to the carols you have been singing and do some crafts with your kids.

Christmas web sites, Christmas games, Christmas online fun, Christmas crafts, arts & crafts, rainy day ideas, Christmas music, online fun, fun for kids, kids, preschoolers, toddlers, holiday fun, traditions, parenting, parenting children

Are you looking for Christmas crafts for do with your kids? I know I am always looking for arts & craft activities to do with my kids during this season. Maybe you just want a new way to decorate your tree? Here are some ideas both you and your kids can do even if the weather outside is frightful.

Make edible ornaments. Buy cookies that have a cutout center. Tie with 18 inch pieces of ribbon. Fold ribbon in half, pull looped end through the cookie, thread loose ends through the loop and tie. You can make cookies just for this, or decorate store bought ones.

Add some fun to your tree. Buy different color parasols in a gift or dollar store. You know, the kind that come in fruity drinks. Clip them all over your tree with mini clothespins.

Add some fun to your indoor decorations. Buy a styrofoam wreath and two white (or any color you want) boa at your local craft sore. Use craft glue to stick the end of the boa onto the wreath. Wrap the boa around the wreath form and glue the other end. Repeat with the second boa. This looks like a feather wreath I have seen being sold in stores for $19.99!

Let your kids make their own ball ornaments. Buy plain colored ball ornaments in various sizes and colored glitter at your local craft store. Using glue make any pattern you want on the balls and then sprinkle your glitter onto them over a plastic container to catch all the extra glitter. Cover the whole ball with glitter, let your kids do their name and date or make cool patterns. This is a great keepsake and fun to make.

holiday crafts, crafts with kids, arts and craft ideas, holiday arts and crafts, Christmas ideas, Christmas craft ideas, rainy day ideas, moms, SAHM, family fun, Christmas crafts

I don’t know any parents or grandparents that are not concerned about toy safety this holiday season. It is on all of our minds and with over 80% of our toys being made in China, I can see why. You have to be careful of small parts, age requirements, lead paint and now GHB in our toys? During the month of December I will be reviewing and bring your ideas for kids this holiday season that are safe for both kids and babies.
Today I have ideas for the girls on your list.

My daughter loves watching me get ready for the day. She is fascinated with everything on my vanity and loves everything girly. Why not this wooden makeup playset for the little diva on your list? Made in Germany, this set includes a comb, 1 spray, 1 mirror, 1 lipstick, 1 roll-on deodorant, 1 hair dryer and 6 hair-curlers.

Little girls would love these Mary Jane rain boots. Perfect for slush, rain or a sunny day, these are adorable and affordable at $27.00.

A pram for your little one will be her best gift. It has rubber wheels, removable blue flowered fluffy cushions, blanket and a adjustable handle to grow with your child. This is pricey at $144.00 but can be a family heirloom.

I also recommend books for older girls, games for school age children and there is always stories on cds for kids.

Coming soon, safe gifts for boys this season!

safe gifts for kids, safe toys, toys not made in China, lead free toys, gift ideas for girls, toys, toy reviews, parenting, safe holiday gifts, gift ideas, holiday gift guide

Lets talk about decorating for the holidays with some easy decorations that you can do with your kids. Everyone loves garland, and you can make different garlands for your tree or home easily. If you have older kids they can do this with little to no supervision.

Everyone knows about making easy garland with red or green construction paper or fabric. You just cut strips of colored paper or fabric, loop them and staple or glue the ends together to make a paper chain. Try this with different colored papers for parties.

If you want something different to do with this idea, how about making it with candy dots? cut same size strips of dots and then tape them together. They will make the tree colorful and edible!

I remember making popcorn garland for my friend’s Christmas tree when I was a teenager. It took forever and I had many holes in my finger when I was done. What about using mini marshmallows and/or cranberries instead? It will look great and much easier for little hands to thread. If your child is too little to use a needle, you thread each piece and let the kids push it down the string!

You can always make a beaded garland. Use old beads from around your house or broken items, or buy some cheap ones at the craft store. Again, thread them into to fishing twine or thread and have the kids string them on. This would look great by twinkling lights or candles.

Do you have any holiday craft ideas that you do with your kids? Feel free to share them in the comments.

holiday crafts, Christmas crafts, Christmas tree garland, garland, making garland, paper chains, Christmas craft ideas, rainy day crafts, kids crafts, kids craft ideas, SAHM, family activities

When I came across The Dangerous Book for Boys I loved it but I wondered what happened to the girl’s book? Well Andi Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz have taken care of that, they wrote The Daring Book for Girls a companion book of sorts to the Dangerous Book for Boys.

When I first received this book I was taken by how nice looking it was, with a old fashion feel and look to it. It was gorgeous. As I read the book I became more in love, and the memories of my own childhood flooded back. Memories that maybe would have been lost, came right back to me and I wanted to share them with my daughter. Things every child of any age or adult should know how to do, like how to make a tree swing, the names of women inventors and how to build a campfire fill the pages. It is 278 pages filled with interesting facts, how tos and fun.

This book is not just for the tomboy, it has girly things to learn like how to press flowers and what games to play at a slumber party. It comes along with practical uses for the future like how to negotiate a salary and how to change a tire. I really wish I had this book when I was younger but I am glad my daughter has it so she and my son can have old fashioned, everyday fun.

With the holidays right around the corner, I think I just found my new go to item for all the girls on my list!

< em>Remember, today is the last day to enter my contest for one of two Christmas lullabye cds!

The Daring Book for Girls, books for girls, gift suggestions for girls, book reviews, parenting, books, tweens, teens, school age children, great kid books

It is coming up on that holiday season and with so many toy and baby gear recalls I am really at a loss when it comes to gifts for my kids. Of course everything on their list is made in China and I am sure will come up as poisonous to kids in a couple of months. This season I am looking to buy more arts and crafts stuff for my kids and the one thing I will never complain about buying them: books. I love books and have since I was a child, I hope I am passing that down to my children. here are three books I reviewed that is perfect this holiday season:

Olive the Other Reindeer Deluxe Edition (ages 4-8 $13.99) This tenth anniversary edition of Olive and her big reindeer dreams is my new favorite Christmas book. It is beautifully illustrated with lift the flaps, scratch and sniff and pop ups. It is so lovely and my children and I have read it at least 3 times a day since we received it!

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Junior Edition (ages 9-12 $9.99) Help a tween out with this book! It offers kid friendly step by step instructions on things like how to ace a spelling test without spell check, how to survive a school dance and how to survive being grounded. This book made me laugh and I wish I had this when I was a tween. This is my new go to book for my nieces and nephews!

Squiggles, A Really Giant Coloring Book (all ages $12.89) This was on my wish list for awhile before I actually received it. I originally wanted it for me but ended up giving it to my kids (I’ll have to get another for myself). Fun illustrations that are not finished allow the artist to finish the picture using their imagination. Color, paint or draw the colors won’t bleed through these thick pages. Keep the book and you have a keepsake of your child’s (or your) artwork forever. If you like this book (you will!) they have others to chose from.

What books do you like for kids this holiday season?

Don’t forget to enter my contest for a Christmas cd!

holiday gifts, Christmas gifts, books for kids, tween books, children’s books, Squiggles, Olive the other reindeer, The worst case scenario Handbook, books, reading to kids

I am on the fence about vaccinations. I have written about them before and although I do vaccinate my children, I do it on my own schedule and I always have. I wish I lived in a state that let me pick which vaccinations to omit, but New Jersey is a all or nothing state like twenty seven others that only let you waive vaccinations if your religion dictates so.
My children get ONE vaccination at a time and I will delay some vaccinations. I finally found a pediatrician that not only supports me in doing so, but does not lecture me on the “safety” of vaccinations and hand me a piece of paper from the AMA.

I, just like any other parent, want to do what is right and healthy of my children. If you give them 4 shots in a single office visit, if that child has a reaction to the vaccines, how will you know which one gave her the reaction or which she is allergic to? That alone is enough reason to give one vaccine per visit.

I have read many books and web sites that are pro and anti-vaccine. I find some of it very important, and some just confuse me more.
The single best book, in my opinion, out there today that is about vaccines just came on the market. It is called The Vaccine Book by R. Sears. It is neither a pro or anti vaccination book. it simply tells you about each vaccine that your child gets, what is in them, what the possible side effects are and how to treat them. It allows you to make your own informed decision about these drugs we are putting into our own and your children’s bodies. It is an open minded book that I will recommend to any parent.

Have you read this book, if so waht do you think about it? Do you read about the vaccines that are given to your children or do you trust your doctor enough to go on their schedule?

vacciantions, vaccination safety, safety of vaccinations, childhood vaccinations, childhood diseases, The Vaccine Book, Dr. Sears, parenting, parenting children, vaccine schedule

I never realized how much keeping my children safe would be on my mind when I became a parent. It is the number one thing on any parents mind, but it seems like every news show I put on, or every magazine has something dedicated to a abducted child. According to www.kidsave.com seventy five percent of all abductions are committed by a family member or friend of the family. So maybe we should be talking to our kids about stranger abductions as well as if a acquaintance tried to take them.
Here are some tips to keep your kids safe:

The Buddy System- never be alone or in a position that anyone could take them without anyone seeing. Walk home with a friend, go to the park in a group etc.
(more…)

I recently wrote about a Maine middle school who would like to pass out birth control without parental consent to its students. I have read some other articles about it as well. I am not in favor of schools giving any medication out to my children without my permission, there are many health risks involved with medicating anyone. I also don’t think a middle school child some who are as young as eleven years old are mature enough to remember to take a pill the same time every single day to prevent pregnancy.
Also if we let eleven or twelve year olds have birth control are we lowering the age of consent? I think we are.
Are condoms as readily available? I wonder if boys are being taught about STDs and prevent pregnancy as much as the girls are.
Is taking a pill every day giving these children a false sense of security to prevent pregnancy but STDs?

A new poll that came out on Thursday shows that my opinion is not in the majority. The survey of 1,004 adults found that those who were younger and from cities or suburbs were more likely to support no restrictions, while minorities, older and lower-income people were more likely to favor parental consent, the AP reported. Sixty seven percent of adults favor allowing public schools to provide birth control to students. Sixty two percent said they believe providing contraception would reduce the number of teen pregnancies.

I wonder what you think of schools handing out contraceptives without parental consent. Let me know in the comments.

contraceptives in school, schools handing our birth control, birth control in schools, parenting, teens, tweens, preteens, middle school students, birth control, parenting children

Halloween is today. If that catches you of guard, that may mean you are a procrastinator. I understand, holidays can sneak up on you. I have some last minute costume ideas and fun games and things to do with your kids before it is time to go out and collect all that candy.

Do it yourself last minute costume ideas:

Tourist: Get a hat, sunglasses and hang a camera around your neck

Cookie: Dress in all brown and pin felt colored circles all over to look like M&Ms

Mummy: wrap your self in toilet paper. Enough said!

Athlete: dress up in a old jersey or uniform. Bring along a ball.

If all else fails call up family members, or neighbors and ask if they have a costume that you can borrow.

How about you make masks of everyone in your family and then trade them. Be your husband or daughter for Halloween and have them be you or their brother. This could be fun all year long!

This is a great site for simulating a pumpkin carving. It kept my kids fascinated for hours. Here is another one that is better for older kids.
Ben and Jerry’s has not only recipes and crafts ideas but also print outs and games.

Remember to go over safety tips with your kids and be safe out there!
What is your favorite last minute costume idea?

last minute costume ideas, costume ideas, Halloween crafts, virtual jack o lanterns, kids, parenting, teens, craft ideas

I have some tips and tricks for Halloween with your kids this year. We also want to keep kids safe this time of year especially those that are old enough to trick or treat alone so we will also talk about safety.

Don’t want to give out candy for Halloween? How about giving out juice boxes or kid sized waters? Try stickers or other craft items and if you have any leftovers put them into your child’s craft box for a rainy day. The other thing I have seen lately, which I love, is the mini playdoh containers. Although the older kids may rather have candy!
(more…)

A Portland Maine school board approved a measure allowing middle-school students to have access to prescription birth control without notifying parents. The plan which was approved in all but two members of the board allows the King Middle School to provide birth-control medications and counseling for sexually transmitted diseases.

Of course not all parents are involved in their children’s lives to know if their child even has a boyfriend or girlfriend. Maybe even some parents are involved but they could never let themselves believe that their children could be sexually active. I am just not sure how I feel about birth control being handed out to young children without parental knowledge.
I think sexual education is very important in schools. I think children in middle school should know about stds, health issues, and the emotional impact of having a sexual relationship. I think this should be a conversation that takes place both at schools and at home. I realize that many times it does not take place at home and maybe only on a rudimentary level at school. I applaud the Portland schools for stepping up and going beyond entry level health issues.

I know that I wouldn’t want my children to be given birth control without my knowledge. I also know if kids are aware their parents will be told they have been given birth control that many kids wouldn’t take birth control and engage in risky behaviors anyway. I am also aware that kids will find a way to do what they want to do.
I am just not sure what the middle ground is. I think our daughters are oversexualized at a younger and younger age. As paretns we need to let our daughters dress approprietly for their age. We need to teach our sons and daughters to respect themselves and their bodies.
We need to start doing this right now, because it is already too late.

In the 2006-2007 school year out of the 134 Portland students polled 4% admitted to having sexual intercourse. Is this enough to start handing our birth control or is 1 child in middle school who has had sex enough to up the sexual education given?

Are we giving sexually active teens the tools they need to stay physically and emotionally healthy and safe?
I would love to hear from parents of teens and tweens, what do you think of this new policy in this middle school?

birth control for teens, contraception in schools, teens, tweens, middle school to give out birth control, birth control in middle school, parenting, parenting children, sexually active teens

I was excited to review the new cookbook from Jessica Seinfeld, Deceptively Delicious, simple secrets to getting your kids eating good food. I couldn’t believe that this book would be any good, after all I bet she has a team of chefs cooking for her and her family. I was surprised by the extent of quality recipes and how well it was written.

When I first received the book the first thing I noticed what how much I liked the retro design and spiral bound cookbook. It is visually very appealing with colorful photographs and cute illustrations.
Basically, the book is about how to hide vegetables, fruits and healthier food into everyday meals. Do your kids like eggs? Then add cauliflower puree to it. If your children only want to eat chicken nuggets then make your own and add beet or spinach puree to it.
(more…)