Jun
08
Posted by
Lorain County Moms
As the school year comes to a close, kids are antsy to get summer started, and homework is probably the last thing on their minds. But to close the year strong, here are some quick tips on homework, along with some ways to evaluate your systems this year while the pros and cons are fresh in your mind.
As parents, we want to be involved, but not overbearing. We want to know what’s going on, but we also want our kids to take ownership of their own work. Here are some tips and resources:
1. Did you use a homework organizer? — Sometimes, schools supply one; if not, hopefully your child has a calendar to keep track of homework, project deadlines, quizzes and tests. Did your system work this year? If not, talk to your child...
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May
08
Posted by
Lorain County Moms
Sexting has become a teen fad that is not only raising eyebrows, but causing concern for many parents. Tech-savvy teens can send text messages at lightning speed, and some are taking it too far by sending nude photos or sexual messages electronically without realizing how inappropriate and potentially dangerous it can be.
A while back, I blogged about the controversy in the news about the cheerleaders who were kicked off the squad for sending nude pictures of themselves over their cell phones. Some experts shed light on the “why” behind the sexting, including that it may be a strategy to hold onto boyfriends. For CNN’s coverage of the story, click http://momtinilounge.com/?p195.
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Apr
06
Posted by
Lorain County Moms
I recently came across a great Business of Motherhood (www.BusinessofMotherhood.com) tip for fellow moms with the new high-efficiency (HE) washers. We were in the market for a new washer/dryer anyway, so as I started shopping, I was drawn like a magnet to the front loader. It looks like a throwback to the 1950s, comes in all kind of funky colors, and has the latest technology. Plus, I thought “laundry watching” through the huge glass window might become sport in my house. (Alas, it never did …)
Also, the model came with lots of parenting perks. Kids equal laundry. Newborns seem to run through six outfits a day — burp, change, burp, change. When they’re young, wet beds mean you’re...
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Feb
14
Posted by
besttech
The new year brings resolutions, crowded fitness clubs, and a short burst of enthusiasm for setting and achieving goals. In reality, much of this enthusiasm is short-lived, and after the initial excitement, many of us fall prey to old habits. So, here we are, a month or so into the new year, and I thought that some fitness and nutrition reinforcements were in order.
An avid believer in charts and visual reinforcements, I recently published “Chart Your Way to Health and Fitness” on Discovery Health’s web site. Parents live a very physical life — running after kids, running up and downstairs with laundry baskets, and trying to squeeze 26 hours of work into a 24-hour day. However, there’s no substitute for dedicated time for exercise. When...
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Jan
27
Posted by
besttech
As the 44th president took oath among the seas of people crowding the Mall, it was a moment in history no doubt. As a D.C.-based mom and mommy blogger, it was impossible to not see the event through the lens of a parent. The parenting challenges that lay ahead for Michelle Obama, in particular, as she raises two young girls in the spotlight, are immense. And while President Obama’s inauguration speech had many messages, why not focus for the time being on the parallels to parenting?
His theme — that it won’t be easy, but we will get there — is one that parents could teach as they face any uphill battle. And his quote, which again, could apply as easily on the playground as it does on the political landscape, is one I really loved, that we...
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Jan
18
Posted by
besttech
There’s something about the new year that brings on a cleaning frenzy in my life. I’m a big fan of fresh starts, and what better time than now to start with a clean desk, clean house, clean closets … OK, now I’m getting carried away! Most kid-inhabited houses are anything but sparkling clean; in fact, an impeccable house makes me a little suspicious, or jealous at least. But order, like everything, comes in all shapes and sizes, and there are some simple ways you can ring in the new year with a clean sparkle.
The best way to clean is through teamwork, and as parents, we usually expect too little help from our kids in this department. We either think they’re too young or that it’s simply easier to do it ourselves. However, an...
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Dec
23
Posted by
besttech
Between holiday wish lists, holiday food overload and winter break from school, it can be an overwhelming time of year for parents. Even though the kids are off school and routines are in complete disarray, don’t let your parenting skills take a vacation.
In the spirit of a famous holiday song, I put a twist on the “12 Days of Christmas.” This year, with the economy being so weak, everyone is looking for value, so here are 13 ways — a baker’s dozen — to ease stress, stay healthy and save money this holiday season.
First, on gifts:
1. Turn whining into wish lists: Get your kids to write wish lists. This serves many useful purposes. First, it teaches the important lesson of delayed gratification; provides...
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Dec
10
Posted by
besttech
By Amy Kossoff Smith The Business of Motherhood
Certain parenting books really get my interest … from the title alone. And a recent find, “How to Hug a Porcupine: Negotiating the Prickly Points of the Tween Years,” is a perfect example. Love the analogy — we all know how trick — and prickly — parenting can be.
The author, Julie Ross, executive director of Parenting Horizons, and a mom since 1988, shared some great tips with The MomTini Lounge (www.MomTiniLounge) on talking to your kids about sex, drugs and alcohol. We can’t learn enough about this touchy but critical “to do” in our job as...
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Nov
04
Posted by
besttech
By Amy Kossoff Smith
www.BusinessofMotherhood.com and www.MomTiniLounge.com.
(MCT)
Dining out with kids can be challenging. It requires manners, patience and self-control, all character traits that are under development for many kids. Young kids, in particular, may find it difficult to sit for long periods of time. Add to that the ambient noise of a restaurant, which can be distracting to little ears, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. We’ve all witnessed the scene. Kids standing in booths, throwing things around, talking in outside voices. It detracts from everyone’s experience, and can’t be fun...
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Oct
14
Posted by
besttech
By Amy Kossoff Smith The Business of Motherhood
Moms are the most fascinating group of multitasking mavens around. So when I met fellow mom/editor, Molly Rosen (a friend of a friend of a friend, and fellow mom), who was compiling a book about women in their 40s, my only question was, “How soon do you need my essay?”
From tattoos to affairs, from motherhood to mayhem, from battling alcoholism and eating disorders and everything in between, “Knowing Pains: Women on Love, Sex and Work in Our 40s” includes 32 essays from women in 11 states.
The book’s subtitle, “Old Enough to Know Better, Young Enough to Do Something About It,” says it all, but I would like to focus...
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