children

 

POSTED by
 
Allison Empey
 
 
 
 

“Oh Dear” and the Big Boy Bed | August 19, 2010

Dear Hayden,

Mommy remembered how to type!  Will wonders never cease?  Remember that time when I promised I’d chronicle your milestones in a letter each and every month, so you could look back on them and be embarrassed for the both of us?  Well.   Turns out that with a toddler, one doesn’t have an abundance of time to chronicle or blog or apply deodorant or what have you.  So I present to you this “multi-month newsletter” and hope that you’ll forgive me for slacking and take it with a grain of salt.  Or MULTIPLE grains of salt, like the rim of … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Leslie Bogar
 
 
 
 

Top Ten Things You Need To Know About Teens | July 30, 2010

If you want to build a lasting relationship with you teen you need to master the top ten.


 

POSTED by
 
Michelle Lehman
 
 
 
 

Getting Organized to Send Child to College | July 26, 2010

I can’t believe school is literally right around the corner! I thought I would write my next two articles about getting your high school graduate off to college organized and ready to take on the new world.

Have your him/her make a list of what is most important to them to bring with them to college. This will help you have a grasp as to how much they have and what you have left at home to make room for you new craft room!  From the list you can see how much they want to bring and this will give you … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Allison Empey
 
 
 
 

Newsletter: Months Eighteen and Nineteen | May 31, 2010

Dear Hayden:

Mommy is bad at blogging.   I totally missed your 18-month newsletter, partly due to the fact that I HAVE AN 18-MONTH-OLD.   Anyone who owns a toddler knows what I’m talkin’ ’bout, Willis.  So I’m combining your 18th and 19th month letters, as the last couple of months have been a blur, anyway.

Might I start off by saying that you’ve been SUPER helpful these past couple of months?  That sounds totally sarcastic when I read it back, but I’m actually dead serious.  You’re eager to help mommy with tedious chores such as folding laundry (read: hoisting yourself into the laundry … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Kristel Gillies
 
 
 
 

The Life of a Singleton – Adventures in Babysitting | May 11, 2010

As the only one in my social circle who does not have, nor is attempting to conceive, a child I sometimes get asked if I can watch little Bobbi-Sue or Billy-Ray when my friends are in a bind for a sitter and if my schedule permits (and it almost always does) I am more than happy to oblige. Consider me biased but my friends have the cutest, smartest, most well-behaved kids on the face of the planet so I’ll take every chance I get to spend some one-on-one time with them. After all, I’m always looking for an … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Allison Empey
 
 
 
 

Newsletter: Month Seventeen | April 1, 2010

Dear Hayden:

Two weeks ago, you turned 17 months old.  Turns out they don’t have a greeting card for that particular milestone, so I just gave you a 75-cent box of Handy Manny valentines that were on clearance at the grocery store.  Granted, Mr. Lopart no longer has a head in most of them, but I’d like to believe that’s your creative way of weeding out the losers.

I guess I would dub Month 17 as “Month O’ The Tantrum”.   Sure, you did other noteworthy things here and there, but THE TANTRUM trumps all of those quadratic equations that you managed to … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Editor
 
 
 
 

The Fresh Air Fund NEEDS Host Families for Summer 2010 | February 8, 2010

In 2009, The Fresh Air Fund‘s Volunteer Host Family program, called Friendly Town, gave close to 5,000 New York City boys and girls, ages six to 18, free summer experiences in the country and the suburbs. Volunteer host families shared their friendship and homes up to two weeks or more in 13 Northeastern states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.

The Fresh Air Fund relies on donations to provide memorable summers to NYC children.

The Fresh … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Jayne Costello Goode
 
 
 
 

Unlocking A Gift of Love | February 4, 2010

A while back, my daughter was six.  Then, she turned seven.   A while back, my daughter repeatedly asked me to replay her favorite episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants™.  Not much later, she asked to watch an HBO special called “Locks of Love: the Kindest Cut” over and over again.  The documentary chronicles an organization that collects hair donations to make wigs for children who have lost their hair. My daughter’s first viewing was followed by many, many questions.

“Where did their hair go?” she asked.

“The children are not well,” I replied.  “Sometimes sickness makes hair fall out.  Sometimes medicine makes hair fall … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Bryna Jones
 
 
 
 

Book Review: The World Needs Your Kid | February 2, 2010

In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings. ~ Ann Landers

Bringing up a child in global village can be a daunting task. It’s hard to hide the stark realities of poverty, natural disasters and disease in an increasingly connected world.

What do you say when your child asks about Haiti? How do you respond to the tough questions? How do you encourage them to “be the change,” as Gandhi said? Enter Craig and Marc Kielburger, co-founding brothers of Free … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Jayne Costello Goode
 
 
 
 

Giggle Your Way Through The Tooth Fairy | January 26, 2010

Sports.  Tutus.  Rock –n- Roll. Julie Andrews. Puns. Romance.  Conquering a fear of failure. Fantasy.  It’s all there.

If you are looking for a film that will tap into your emotional core, scratch your cerebral itch or leave you reflecting upon moral conundrums as you leave the theater, this movie is not for you.  If you are looking for a movie that you may safely giggle through with every member of your family, “You Can’t Handle the Tooth” is just the ticket.

The movie presents a simple tale told, the formula for which has been in play over and over again.  An … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Allison Empey
 
 
 
 

My Love Affair with the Imagination Movers | January 18, 2010

It’s official: I’m in love.  Did I mention that it’s with a children’s television show and the characters on said television show?  Did I mention that I’m 28 years, 11 months and 29 days old?  (I’m trying to tiptoe around the fact that I’ll be 29 later this week.  Futile.)  Oh yes, there’s a new quartet of men in my life and I’m shouting it from the rooftops (or, from Twitter, at the very least).

For all you parents out there stuck watching Barney on a worn-out VHS tape, I have news for you:  There DOES exist a show that both … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Allison Empey
 
 
 
 

Tips For Fearlessly Photographing Children | January 11, 2010

I was an avid amateur photographer before I had my son in October 2008, but I’m a little embarrassed to admit just how many times I’ve clicked that shutter since his birth.  Kids are beings that just BEG to be photographed – they’re adorable, messy, and delightfully candid.  Are the photos you’re taking of the kids in your life worth a thousand words?  Here are a couple of tips and tricks for taking amazing pictures of kids:

Quantity CAN equal quality. My son is one of those kids who smiles for pictures- AFTER the flash has gone off.  Missing … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Beth Anderson
 
 
 
 

A Day to Celebrate | December 28, 2009

Birthdays are special in my family.  As a child, my mom always greeted my birthday with a smile and a song.  Even now, my first phone call bright and early on my birthday is from my Dad.  I think he secretly always wants to be the first to wish me Happy Birthday.  This is preceded by my mom singing through the receiver at the top of her lungs.  Always a great way to start the day.

I now torture my own children with these morning greetings on their birthdays.  I’m not sure if they exactly appreciate it right now, but it’s … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Michelle Lehman
 
 
 
 

The Children will be Home Soon! | December 16, 2009

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but next week is the last week you have before the kids are out of school.  YIKES! I realize you have 100+ things left to do on your to-do list but maybe we could rearrange some items to take advantage of children being at school.

Try to get as much done next week that is secretive such as; wrapping their Christmas presents, making sure Santa has gotten everything on their list, stocking stuffers and even if you have a return or two to make because you decided on something else for your … Read More »


 

POSTED by
 
Denise Tong
 
 
 
 

Giveaway: Children’s Books and Blanket | December 10, 2009

Husband and wife team Tony and Angela DiTerlizzi have made a splash in the children’s book world with their Adventure of Meno series. Meno, a sweet space-elf, is accompanied on his journeys by his best friends Yamagoo and Wishi. Outlets such as Publisher’s Weekly have lauded the series; illustrated in a fun retro style, it is a great collectible for adults in addition to being fun for children (ages 1-5) to look at. The series, which has two installments so far–Big Fun! and Wet Friend!–will eventually become a six-book collection.

Chic Galleria and the authors are happy to give away one signed copy each of Big Fun! and Wet … Read More »