Archives: September, 2010
Frumpy Middle-Aged Mom: I like baseball parents better
It’s youth soccer season, and that brings out an unpleasant truth. Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve always liked baseball parents better than soccer parents. I can’t really explain it, except maybe that shared misery brings people closer. Seems like I barely have a chance to get to know the other soccer parents, what with only [...]
I hate my teacher and I’m not going to school’ solutions: Here’s what to do when your kids don’t click with their teacher
The alarm sounds just before dawn. Sleep-deprived parents everywhere stumble into their kitchens to guzzle coffee and muster up the strength to confront their cranky lethargic lion cubs, deep in slumber. This typical scenario occurs in many households, day after day, and all parents share similar complaints. It’s time to wake up your kid for [...]
Steve Martin delivers musical book that just might motivate your kids in the morning
“Late for School” By Steve Martin, illustrated by C.F. Payne Grand Central Publishing, $17.99 Getting the kids up and out the door in the morning might sometimes seem like the most difficult part of your day. Thankfully, Steve Martin is here to help. The actor, most famous probably for screwball antics in comedies such as [...]
Heading Home: Choosing child care
The following is an excerpt from “Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality” (Second Edition): A License to care Of the roughly 12 million children in child care, about 3 million are cared for in unlicensed and therefore unregulated settings. Be sure to check that the provider you choose for your child has [...]
Herding Squirrels: What I meant to say
Last week I was part of a panel at the Central California Women’s Conference, speaking about work-life balance; which is to say, how to balance your work life with your personal life. The panel included the president/CEO for United Way of Fresno County, a vice president of Pelco, a vice president and general manager of [...]
Nameberry: Autumn names – from Poppy to Persephone
It’s fall … the air is getting crisper, the days are getting shorter … the moment to think about the names of autumn. Unlike spring, summer, and even winter, fall is not a season that immediately brings a bonanza of name possibilities to mind. But when you think about it, there are almost as many [...]
On hand to meet new baby girl are mom, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma
There was no cake. No fancy dinner. Instead, there were kind words, gentle pats and laughter. New memories being made while older ones were recounted. This celebration, you see, was about life. Lillian Michelle Gibbs-Beaver’s birth on Aug. 21 marked the fifth generation of living women in her family. Last week, all five generations Rita [...]
Would you let your kid see an R-rated movie?
I’m turning into that mom. The one who doesn’t let her kid have any fun. Last weekend my son was at a friend’s house. The dad texted: “We’re going to watch a PG-13 movie, is that OK with you?” First thought: “Ugh!” Second thought: “At least he asked.” I’m sure it won’t be long before [...]
Now THAT’S Camping!
Years ago when our two sons were little, we did a fair amount of camping, and I mean the real McCoy!…roughn’ it…cooking over the fire, sleeping in a tent, and of course roasting smores…and not taking a shower for a few days! There was this one occasion where we engaged in our “normal” camping routine [...]
Slow Down. Play In The Dirt!
The kids have been in school over a month, everyone’s been running and quality time has been in short supply. What better way to catch up than to spend a little time playing in the dirt. It’s time to plant the winter and spring annuals. Fun! Most folks don’t realize that those pretty spring [...]
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