June 2009

  • Fun with Mommy & Me

    By sarajean on 6/30/09 1:59am
    Add Comment

    When you work full-time (or even part-time), it can be very difficult to incorporate activities that are both fun and educational into your main job—parenting. Sure, you might do a puzzle together while the pasta boils, or doodle together while you’re waiting on the phone with customer service, but planning really creative adventures can sometimes fall by the wayside.

    Enter Fun with Mommy & Me. OK, I will be the first to admit that the title is a turnoff. Even though Mommy & Me is a nationally recognized program, this activity book is also great for dads—so fathers of the world, don’t write this one off! Though published eight years ago, this book is choc full of simple but creative, fun and educational activities for busy parents and their kids. I stumbled on it at the library and had to get a copy; there are many used, super cheap ones available.

    Read more >

  • The Great American Backyard Campout!

    By sarajean on 6/27/09 7:19am
    Add Comment

    We’ve got our hotdogs, buns, and sauce. The graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate are set for some wicked s’mores-making. The tens are ready, the bedding is all here, and we are set for the Great American Backyard Campout this weekend!

    Or, we were, until there was a heat advisory issued.

    Backyard camping is something free and fun most families can do. It’s a great way to get away from work for a while and play with your kids. You can teach them all about nature and camping at home in a comfortable setting—and if you don’t know much about camping, you can learn together.

    But if you’re like me and it’s hot enough to completely melt your s’mores before you roast your marshmallows, you can still have a great camping adventure inside. Here are some tips for having your own indoor campout when Mother Nature has other plans.

    Read more >

  • Summer Fun on a Budget

    By hellenwyeth on 6/24/09 1:21pm
    Add Comment

    This summer there are a lot of families out there looking for things to do with the kids while on a tight budget. I'm always up for a good time with the kids when it's free or reasonably priced. Who isn't? The amount of money you spend doesn't determine how much fun you will have. That's one thing I know for sure. But since most everyone has had to take a financial hit one way or another communities seem to be coming together to make summer fun for kids of all ages at little to no cost at all. You just have to know where to look.

    Read more >

  • All About Co-Sleepers

    By hellenwyeth on 6/23/09 1:18pm
    Add Comment

    I've noticed a few posts on sleep and we all know how important it is to make sure we get enough. But what about when you are trying to get your sleep in and have a newborn as an hourly alarm clock? Work requires that you get good rest but when you add a baby to the mix (especially when you are a nursing mother) it's even more important.


    Most parents have baby sleeping in the same room for at least the first few months. While this does make your trip to the baby a lot shorter, you still have to completely wake up to tend to your little one's needs. It is highly not recommended, and for good reason, to not have baby in bed with you. This can end up in ultimately hurting the baby. However, there is a way around it; the co-sleeper. It's like having your newborn's bed in your own.

    Read more >

  • Toxoplasmosis and Why Pregnant Women Should Avoid the Litter Box

    By hellenwyeth on 6/23/09 11:57am
    Add Comment

    A big thing that pregnant women are told to stay away from and warned about is the cat's litter box. Isn't the sound of that great!? Doctor's orders to have someone else do the the dirty job for once! Once that is said not many people ask why it's not good for pregnant women to be exposed.

    Read more >

  • Free Office Suite Download You Won't Regret!

    By hellenwyeth on 6/23/09 9:00am
    Add Comment

    Always in need of a good word program, I knew there had to be a free alternative to Microsoft Office. I can't count how many times I have had to reformat a computer and end up not having all the disks needed to reinstall the office suite programs. A quick search online landed me with a wonderful download and here's why:




    Read more >

  • Children Watching Their Parents Fight Usually Emerge With Ill Effects

    By Anonymous on 6/17/09 11:26am
    Add Comment

    Witnessing violence in their parents’ relationship may result in poor mental health, study says

    Adult individuals who were able to witness violence in their parents’ relationship during childhood are at greater risk of developing problems with regards to mental health, according to a group of researchers who analyzed data from 3,023 adult people in Paris.

    For the study, the researchers examined the present depression of the participants, as well as their experiences with violence committed against children, violence in an intimate relationship, suicide attempts throughout their lives, and dependence to alcohol. The report which was published recently in the online issue of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health said that the study participants were further asked about their growing-up experiences with violence when their parents fought.

    Read more >

  • Recess at Work Day

    By sarajean on 6/16/09 11:37pm
    Add Comment

    Every year on June 18, everyone gets a chance to be a kid again—or should! Recess at Work Day is the celebration of teambuilding, company spirit and general fun for at least half an hour. So take a cue from your children and see if your employer will make June 18 Recess at Work Day for your company. Work from home? Be sure to take a half hour of “recess” for yourself.

    Below are some ideas for celebrating Recess at Work Day:

    Go for a traditional recess. Visit the park and swing with your co-workers. Climb the jungle gym in your suit. Go down the slide—with your arms in the air! Bring a ball and play catch or kickball. Remind yourselves what it was like to see the world through your child’s eyes. Jump rope, play tag, or throw a Frisbee.

    Do it the grownup way. Go out for a mid-day happy hour. Have lattes as a group and talk about anything but work.

    Read more >

  • Celebrate Great Outdoors Month

    By sarajean on 6/15/09 6:43pm
    Add Comment

    If you’re a parent who works from home like me, you might worry that you’ve let your kid watch Wall-E one too many times. We sure try to keep them occupied while we work—in my case, I try to get most of my work done at night, and when I have to work during the day I pretty much let my three-year-old make any mess she likes, within reason. But sometimes there’s that unexpected meeting, or that deadline that’s just so close—and boom, there’s the TV being used as a babysitter again.

    Since June is Great Outdoors Month, let’s take a break from our keyboards and spreadsheets and take the little tykes outside for a while. Studies show that sticks and rocks are much brainier toys than any old electronic thing you can buy, and with kids spending more and more time on the Internet and playing electronic games, they’re losing out on the value of nature. So this month, why not let them explore it instead? Try…

    Read more >

  • 10 Great Gifts for Dad

    By sarajean on 6/15/09 4:56pm
    Add Comment

    Father’s Day is quickly approaching, and I know I’m one of the hundreds of people searching for a last-minute gift for my dad. Here’s a list of ten ideas for those of you who, like me, are scrambling to show our fathers—and husbands or partners—that they’re really rad dads.

    10. Universal Remote. You know it will come in handy, and you can pitch the ten other remotes he has.

    9. New clothes. Dads are usually the least likely to buy their own. Does he need a new suit? A casual outfit for summer barbecues? Clothe your father.

    8. Sporting gear. Replace an old golf club or deflated basketball. I might sneak in myself and restock my dad’s tackle box. What a surprise that would be the next time he opens it up!

    7. Sporting time. Pay for a round of golf or a trip to the batting cages. Bonus: go with him for company.

    Read more >

  • Great Kids’ Craft Blogs to Follow for Summer Fun

    By sarajean on 6/14/09 3:22pm
    Add Comment

    Oftentimes the summer grows old after a week of sleeping and watching Wall-E in your pajamas. Even with scheduled trips and vacation plans, the long days of summer can take a lot out of both parents and kids. These crafty blogs will give you tons of ideas to stay occupied while creating something amazing—while spending some quality time together.

    Let’s Explore: This blog is full of ideas and activities that are great for just about any skill level. Categories allow for quick activity searching, whether you want something for your toddler, something to do “in the kitchen,” or even travel activities. Some of the greatest things about this site are the photos that usually accompany simple step-by-step instructions.

    Read more >

  • Family Tax Relief Act

    By sarajean on 6/2/09 7:53am
    Add Comment

    Child Care CenterChild Care CenterI’m fortunate enough to work from home so I can be with my toddler all day. I had a bad experience in day care as a child and decided early on in my pregnancy that I would find a way to stay with my daughter. I’m lucky. But most working parents simply can’t do this, and rely on a multitude of sources for childcare.

    Read more >