It’s the middle of the winter – the time of year when students experiencing learning difficulties and problems at school are at their highest. What is a parent to do?
Dr. Richard Selznick is a child psychologist and the director of the Cooper Learning Center, Department of Pediatrics, Cooper University Hospital in New Jersey. He is the author of The Shut-Down Learner: Helping Your Academically Discouraged Child. Dr. Selznick looks for certain signs in the child’s behavior that are often not …

These days, a lot is being said about the importance of children living a healthy lifestyle. Parents want their children to grow up healthy and strong. Here are three no-nonsense tips mothers everywhere can use to help direct their children toward more healthy choices, now and in the future.
Lead by Example
Whenever you can show your children the importance you place on taking care of yourself and your body, seize the opportunity to do so. The more they see you striving to live a more balanced and healthy life, the …

Through the Spirit of Innovation Awards (http://www.conradawards.org/), high school students with a passion for science and bettering the world have a chance to patent their inventions, be interviewed in Popular Science Magazine or BBC World News, or even attend the Annual White House Science Fair and be recognized by President Obama.
The Conrad Foundation Spirit of Innovation Awards (SoIA) is an international, multi-disciplinary program that combines the Foundation’s commitment to five core principles: innovation, education, entrepreneurship, project-based learning, and community engagement to advance …

Kabongo online kids games are fun and exciting, allowing children between the ages of 4 and 7 to play games while beginning the skills needed for reading. It gets children…
“thinking—and reading—with exciting online games that they love to play! Unlike other learning games,Kabongo’s brain-boosting activities were developed by a cognitive psychologist and based in cognitive development research to help kids become more confident readers.”
The Kabongo folks asked me to do this research and write up and it sounds like just the kind of game for my …

Peter Rabbit Organics offers drinkable fruit and vegetable snacks in four ounce BPA-free pouches. I think a genius created them. Seriously. P3 is in love with the veggie packs and has been given carte blanche to eat them whenever she wants. Their 100% organic goodness for her growing body is wonderful plus it empowers her because she has free reign. Peter Rabbit Organic pouches make great travel companions as they fit neatly into lunch bags, picnic baskets, glove boxes and diaper bags. They’re easy to open and reseal with a …

Thought you’d be interested in a fun Valentine’s Day survey conducted by social texting application textPlus.
“b mine” “I <3 u” “ur hot” – not exactly sonnets, but these little love notes are what today’s teenagers are most likely to send and receive on February 14…
According to a survey of 705 textPlus users ages 13-17:
-        Nearly 40% said they think it’s ok to tell someone “I love you” for the first time via text message, and 35% have actually done it
-        35% of those who choose …

Thanks to Trop 50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 fabulous wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to help grant a friend’s wish!
While I know the 5 bloggers I am going to write about would prefer to go incognito, especially this first one, alas, it is not possible.
Kim Grabinski is one of my most wondrous and dearest friends and we just happened to have met online. She is so unassuming yet incredibly talented and gives of her talents …

Whether or not you have already been through it,  planning for a pregnancy can be both an exciting and stressful time.  Whether it’s the first, second or third time around, the mom-to-be wants to do everything she can to ensure proper steps are taken for a healthy mommy and baby.  And although the month is waning, in honor of January’s Birth Defects Prevention Month, I’m working in tandem with the Spina Bifida Association to introduce you to the VitaTrack Folate Tracker App available on iTunes, …

Forget speed dating, online cruising and bar hopping and look to the non-profit
that holds your heart to find true love.

It worked for Kristine and Kevin Leverone who found each other by following
their passion, volunteering and pumping their pedals to raise money for cancer
research and treatment through the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC), a two-day,
190-mile bike-a-thon.

It all started in August 1997. Kristine had signed up to volunteer during PMC
weekend in memory of her 11-year old brother, whom she lost to leukemia many
years before. She and some fellow volunteers were taking a …

We  have been huge Baby Einstein fans since baby numero uno arrived in our arms.  They were soothing and calming while at the same time educational and entertaining for parent and child….yes child….they continued to hold my children’s interest as they grew so we would play them not just with a baby in the house but even now, with no more babies and ages 4, 8, and 9.  I was going to give this as a give away, instead, thanks to my 4 year old you are getting a review. …

No Name-Calling Week will be celebrated in schools all over the United States during the week of January 24th-28th.  As teachers and counselors plan group activities and discussions around this important theme, you can emphasize the same message at home with these great children’s and tweenage reads:
Jungle Bullies by Steven Kroll
Jungle Bullies is a picture book for preschoolers that uses rhyme and repetition to share important messages about standing up for yourself and learning to share.  With engaging, child-friendly illustrations and inviting jungle animal characters, this is a great choice …

With nephews with Autism I am now more attuned to activities that might benefit them.  This sounds incredibly cool and I commend teachers and musicians for thinking out of the box so to speak.
The Help Group and Music for Autism are proud to present a special, interactive concert on January 30, 2011 at 1:00pm at The Help Group in Sherman Oaks. The performance featuring violinist Seami Park and Sarah Thornblade, associate principal second violin, both from the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, will be the opening event …

I admit it.  I’m a holiday junkie.  I’m the type of mother who loves to do special little things for holidays, and Valentine’s Day is probably one of my favorites.  However, I like to keep things frugal and relatively simple.  It doesn’t take much to show your kids that you care and the small, inexpensive efforts often times pack the most punch.  Two things I love to do are make a special breakfast and do a holiday craft.
Blissful Breakfast
Having a special breakfast sets the tone for the day.   My son …

This precious little board book has been written for children reading ages 4-8 by Amy Parker and illustrated by Marijan Ramljak.
In the tradition of A Night Night Prayer, also written by Amy Parker, this precious little child wanders through the house on a snowy Christmas night offering a prayer of thanks and blessing. His thanks are not of the ordinary however.  They are of each of the wonders that played a hand in the Christ Child’s birth.  The child finishes with thanks to God for the greatest …

As a child, my dad read this story (along with Luke 2) EVERY year.  And since I heard it EVERY year, and have a good memory (prior to my migraines and children at least) I could recite both ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Luke 2 by heart.
Recently I was given a fun opportunity to try the Record a Story Twas the Night Before Christmas book.  At first, I was beginning to think it was not too fun and was going to throw it against the wall you see because …

Let me introduce you to Natalie,a member of the Friends Forever Girls.
The Friends Forever Girls is a line of dolls that promotes the values of friendship including self respect, honesty and responsibility to impressionable young girls.  Each doll has her own unique interests, character traits and background.  There are 6 girls in the line – Kristina, Kyleen, Nika, Natalie, Reina, and Marlee.  They are each 18″ tall with vinyl bodies and moveable arms and legs – just right for all the hugs a girl needs.  Each comes with a set …

Shoes is more than just a book, it spreads a message to kids and adults alike. It’s the perfect example of selflessness and compassion, something that we should be talking about more than ever around the Holidays.
Description:
Shoes is a children’s picture book written by Club GoBeDo founder, Jerri James and illustrated by Norma Samuelson. This is the lyrical story of Margaret Elizabeth, a young girl who looks in her closet and realizes she has lots of shoes, plenty in fact. …

We just started our Advent calender and we are doing it in a unique way this year.  Since it has been a tough year and I feel we need to be showing the girls extra love but also the girls need to be practicing showing extra love to one another and those around them, each day of our advent calender gives that days girl the chance to do something  sweet for someone else in our family.  Most of it is as simple as a hug and a kiss or telling …

James and Heidi are some people who have just been approved for adoption through LDS Family Services, the same way we started our family.
They need help spreading the word.
Check out their adoption blog at www.jamesandheidiareadopting.blogspot.com.

Or check out their adoption profile on www.itsaboutlove.org, profile ID #24189806.
Help them start their family by sharing their blog and profile with everyone you know!

Cute, plush and smiley items like this are just what I always needed to keep my girls happy when we were on the go.  From Bright Starts, this entertaining Pretty in Pink Carrier Toy Bar helps babies have fun have fun, even at home in their seat with these whimsical pink friends. The toy bar provides multiple activities:

Smiling Flower toy features baby activated lights and 6 melodies
The ladybug toy and colorful dragonfly encourage reaching and hand eye coordination.
Colorful rattle ball for auditory development
Straps attach easily to infant carrier with velcro …

The BornFree® BPA-Free Formula Dispenser is 100% free of Bisphenol-A, Phthalates and PVC. With a flat shape that makes it easier to store and travel, the dispenser is also a handy snack carrier and has a flip top for opening and pouring with one-hand. Dishwasher-safe, the BornFree® Formula Dispenser has no sharp edges and is easy to clean by hand. Available in Blue, Green, Orange and Pink.
Since all of my girls were bottle babies, these formula dispensers were a Godsend.The amount was pre-measured and easy …

I thought I’d share this heartfelt PARADE story from our 11/28 issue about one family from Washington state who found a novel way to keep Dad, who shipped out to Iraq in 2008, close by.   It’s such a perfect story for the holidays and really resonates with Americans’ feelings about family and patriotism.
Seattle resident Marissa Stewart knew nothing could replace Daddy (US Army Staff Sgt. Jared Steward) for her three young kids. Still she was afraid they would start to forget about their father.   The …

CONGRATULATIONS TO SHIRLEY!!  She has  been contacted and is excited.
Thanks to everyone else who participated – have fun on your Family Taco Nights!
If your family loves tacos like mine, why not put “Family Mexican Food Night” on the calendar at least once a month? We are able to please everyone with Taco Night which means no dramatics and no one leaving the table hungry.  With a variety of seasonings and other complementary products, Old El Paso offers everything you need for fun nights with the …

Have you ever had a child go back to school after a Summer of high stress in their little life and basically forgotten most of or at least acted like they have forgotten most of the skills they learned the year before?  It is not that uncommon I know.  Well, we have been blessed with it.  So in trying to find ways to get caught up, I watch for ideas and ways that will help her catch up yet not bore her to tears.
Tah-Dah!  Hangman Riddles!
Hangman Riddles by innovativekids manages …

While clinical depression is a well-known psychiatric disorder among adults and adolescents, it is not as frequently reported in pre-adolescent children, simply because most people think children are immune to such a disorder. What’s more, many adults will dismiss symptoms of depression in their children because they mistaken such symptoms as the usual mood changes witnessed in kids approaching their moody pubescence.
While depressed children exhibit similar symptoms as do depressed adults, here are a few warning signs that are especially common in children. If your child is exhibiting even a …

CONGRATULATIONS TO HOLLOW SINS #39!!  She has been notified.
Thanks to everyone else who participated….y’all rock!!
Come back for more!
It is that time of year for finding books in Cheerios boxes.  Over the past 9 years through their Spoonfuls of Stories, that they have done this, they have given away almost 50 million books in the packages.  Since I LOVE reading, I always search through the boxes and try to make sure we get every title available each year.  My girls think it is an adventure, especially P2.  We have gained some …

What  do I wish I’d known at 13?   It doesn’t last forever.
If you ask me now If I would like to go back and be a teenager now, other than a few gloriously memorable moments, the answer undeniably would be “Are You CRAZY?”  Being a Mom is hard but being a teenager was way harder.  And no one asks your permission… it’s just ..PLOP..and one day you are a teenager.  No rulebook, okay maybe a few try but there you are. All the tears, and the zits and the anger …

Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure Game from Nova Development is for PC and MAC and is geared towards preschoolers ages 2-5.  It is based upon the popular Nickelodeon children’s character Dora the Explorer to educate and entertain all at the same time..
Develop essential preschool learning skills with the top-rated preschool phenomenon and all her friends! Play 8 Great Interactive Games – with 3 different levels in each – to learn more and win big every time. Now everyone can help Dora celebrate her Big Birthday Adventure™ …

Fix It, Make It, Grow It, Bake It is an inspiring and instructive guide to living the handmade life by consuming less and creating more. Practical and profound, this handy how-to covers every area of life and offers easy-to-do tips, recipes, and advice on saving money and the planet. You and your family can live more joyfully and far more creatively, all on a dime. The best things in life are free—or if they aren’t, you can have a lot of fun making them.
Learn …

This adorable Christmas Tree Whimsical Bubble Outfit comes to us from the adorable itself My Baby Clothes Boutique of Cartersville, GA.  The outfit is one of the many darling things you can find there.  Created by Mud Pie Baby, it is listed as a Size 0-6mo however after looking at it, I imagine at least a 9mo could wear it too.  But wait until you see the back…my pictures did not do it justice so I have not included them.  Sufficed to say, there is a ruffle right across the …

Visualize being in the hospital after having just given birth to your first living, breathing baby.  The nurse rolls the bassinet into your room, momentarily turns her back to you and turns back holding this little bundle you foggily think you wanted so badly for so long.  Oh, wait, you want ME to take her, your baby, you realize.  And then what?  You are handing me a bottle…you mean like I am supposed to feed her?  Hasn’t someone else been doing that?  Oh and there is stuff about charts and …

As a clinical social worker, I was trained in the nurture end of the Nature vs. Nurture debate, believing that a persons environment (family life, early experiences, traumas, etc.) was the dominant factor in shaping their personality and preferences. As a mom, I learned from the first days of both of my daughters lives how important a role nature (temperament, genetics, etc.) plays in shaping who a child becomes. I guess you could say I am official fence rider now, when it comes to the nature/nurture question dash citing …

Have you ever thought of what it would feel like to have your very own storybook, written just about you?  Your name on the Title page as they describe the contents therein and that they contain grand tales of none other than, why, you.
As an adult,it might please you, bring a bit of a smile to your face.  As a child, can you IMAGINE??????????  Why, it might be the grandest of grandest things you never wished for but were lucky enough to receive nonetheless!

Custom Made For Kids does precisely that.  …

CONGRATULATIONS nan lara!  You are the winner of the 2 Adult tickets!  You have already been emailed so just email me back with your address.
Thanks everyone else who participated.  Keep those eyes on that calendar as we edge closer and closer to the opening date for our Merry & Brite Holiday Gift Guide to start Nov. 1st  It is going to be great!
Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation restaurants want to let you know that coming up this Sunday, October 17th, Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation are holding their fourth annual pajama party …

The best gifts are beautiful and practical. The Baby Bunch is both, making it the perfect present for every new parent. The Baby Bunch is a blossoming selection of infant clothing presented as a bouquet of flowers that makes a unique gift for moms and dads in need of the essentials for baby.
“The Baby Bunch combines practicality with presentation,” says Bryony Boxer, founder of The Baby Bunch along with her husband Simon Martin. “We wanted to create a gift that was attractive yet …

Sponsored By

Cheerios® is giving you the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, your ultimate family vacation. As part of a paid promotion for their “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, Cheerios® is sponsoring my post today about what my ultimate family vacation would be. Read mine, Enter the Sweepstakes for a chance to actually win your own fantasy family trip or one of a bunch of other great prizes.
I love to travel. I do. Dearly and truly . Short trips. Long trips. Local trips. …

Ahhhh, quelle suprise! mframe won!!!!  Well good for YOU I say!!
Thanks for entering!

***GIVEAWAY DATE CHANGE***
You may recall that P1 got her ears pierced recently so earrings and especially sparkly ones are a big topic around our home these days.  Apparently someone at school had the ‘audacity’ to tell P1 that her 1st pair of earrings were not ‘real’ diamonds.  This was somewhat upsetting to her.:)
So we discussed the word ‘real’.  I asked her where diamonds came from.  She said the jewelry store.  I said that was was one place. I …

But they can still wear cute hats from My Baby Clothes Boutique
And my youngest is very good at acting goofy.
But hats are a very minor part of what they carry at My Baby Clothes Boutique.  Their baby clothes are stylish, unique, trendy, frufru, memorable, and down right adorable.

And those are just the girly things because , let’s face it, you know how easy it is for boys to be overlooked and be left in the minor, oh-yawhn category.  Not here at My Baby Clothes Boutique.  Even the boy things are …

This book begins by telling the story of Li’l Eddie’s 3rd birthday party.  One of the best  birthday gifts he received was this wonderful book, How Li’l Eddie Learns to Read.  It is designed to help him and his family help him learn to learn the joy that is reading.  It is set up in a consistent manner with a section for his parents and family, alphabet letters, shapes and numbers outlining the pages and then the opposite pages being pages pictures with words.
It is a delightful and well written …

Feeding Penny Pig by author  Jeannine Fox is a short but unique book on teaching children to save money. The grandma in the book, Mimi, is searching for just the right birthday gift for her granddaughter, Laney. When she discoveres a very sad piggy bank, she knows she has found the right gift.
Mimi teaches Laney that to properly care for Penny Pig, she must feed her coins regularly. The book explains saving money in child-friendly terms, but it also discusses ways that children can earn money, …

Congratulations to Fish-wife!
Thanks to everyone for playing!
Once there was a little boy, who didn’t want anyone to play with any of his toys… As the little boy grows into a man, he only cares about his many material possessions. He meticulously cares for his things and keeps them only for himself. Because of his selfishness, one by one, the things he cares about most begin to leave his life. Soon he finds himself all alone, trapped inside a bubble. The Bubble is a delightful …

I was not going to post this article because I have no frame of reference for it yet but then I realized I could, very easily.  I thought of our favorite babysitter and I cannot imagine something horrible like cyberbullying happening to her.  She lives to text and email and IM are just one step further and it all kind of goes hand in goes.  We all need to be aware.

Cyberbullying has quickly turned into a pandemic on the web, causing severe emotional and psychological pain to children.  …

Life moves too fast.
There you have the basic tenet of this interesting and helpful book written by Shannon Honeybloom.  She also thinks it’s time to change all that.
She’s a proponent of the Slow Home Movement, which she writes about in her book, “Making a Family Home.” In the book, she explains how to slow down the space you live in.
Anxiety-driven over-parenting has reached a peak, and parents everywhere are yearning to get ‘back to basics’ at home and with their children,” says Honeybloom, a parent and former educator. …

“Do you love me when I finger-paint with toothpaste on the bathroom mirror? Do you love me when I go right to bed?  Do you love me when I don’t?”
As he goes through a day, a child asks the typical million questions of his mother to find reassurance. Does she love him when he’s gentle? How about when he’s not? Does she love him when he jumps in wet and muddy puddles while his new sneakers? The story continues on with more sweet yet simple childlike questions all in …

Basically, Oscar is a pig.   He is a very cute little pig.  He is a very cute little pig with a problem – his Mommy is going back to work and he doesn’t really know what that means.  Will she come home?  Will she still love him?  Will she still have time for him?  These concerns and many more roll around in Oscar’s head.
Then he meets Mrs Tutu and his life is never the same. Mrs Tutu makes life everyday so fun and exciting and vivacious (whatever that means) and …

Car Seats have been a big deal in our household in one form or another for the past 9 years. Finally, we have them all in booster seats…much,much easier to manage.  P1 is no longer required to ride in one by Texas law but she likes it and I am not about to force her out of it.
So, do you know what your law mandates?  One of the things Texas law mandates is that you cannot ride in the front seat until age 12 so explain to me (mini soapbox …

“Funky Monkey Snacks were created to bring delicious and healthy snacks to everyone!  There are so many snacks that are delicious and unhealthy, or healthy but bad-tasting… wouldn’t it be great if there was a delicious, convenient snack with the wholesomeness and natural goodness of fresh fruit?  That’s what Funky Monkey is all about- we combine the great taste and nutrition of fresh fruit with the crunch and convenience of your favorite snacks.  We do it by freeze-drying full slices and pieces of …

So have any of you noticed that mouthwateringly delicious looking chocolate cupcake over on my sidebar yet?
It makes me drool every day!   Well, here is the deal and you really HAVE to check this out! There is a great new daily deals site (with awesome content too!) aimed at fun moms, and I have just …

A unique book , written and illustrated by a 10 year old girl with a desire to spread kindness and friendship, Natalie Tinti starts Sewing a Friendship with a picture of each of the characters in the book and character profile of each, answering the questions of birth date, age, family, eye color, hair color, favorite food, favorite color, and specialty.  Thus, once the story starts in earnest, the readers can know just exactly who is involved.
The story is basically about five girls becoming friends because of …

See this child?   Looks innocent,doesn’t she?  Harmless.  Well, she is that child.Yes, well, this same child is the one who fell and split her lip at age 3 and needed stitches and the same child who fell and broke her arm about a year later, made like Houdini and pulled the first cast off and had to have a second one put on.  Then of course she is also the one who suffers in silence while her ear drum is bursting so I have to try to out guess her …