From the first week of our child’s birth, we encouraged her connection to nature through all of her senses. Her ears perked up at the sound of the nesting birds’ melody. Her eyes opened to the vastness of a mountain lake and her perception increased gradually with each passing week as we said the names of the plants animals, insects, stones, etc. She smelled and felt the grass, leaves, flowers, and water as we passed through our surroundings. She later tasted the berries we picked for her along the way. And she is still always intrigued by the sound of a passing brook. We use our imagination to inspire and develop our senses every day. Here are some of the ways you can help your child do so, too: Read the rest »

Women are often defined by their relationships to others, and for most of history women followed the single-lane path from being a father’s daughter to a husband’s wife to a child’s mother. While familial labels also apply to males, men have traditionally been allowed to just be whomever they are—without a stated link to someone else. (Think of the notable men, past and present, about whom you know little or nothing regarding their marital and family status.)

I make this observation as a woman who, having left a successful career to become a stay-at-home mom, is now mostly identified by whom I care for rather than the whole of who I am. Most adult women are mothers, but each one of us is a mother and more.

It’s important for men and society-at-large to understand that truth, but it’s essential for women to accept that they needn’t be solely defined by or worse, consumed by, motherhood. I suspect that each of us would be more content in our daily lives, and collectively more supportive of one another, if we abandoned the head games that accompany our work as mothers. (And yes, I consider motherhood and childrearing to be a job.) Hence …. Read the rest »

I’ve heard my fair share of kids’ CDs since my daughters were born. Some are awesome and some make me want to toss them out the window of our minivan as we drive down the highway.

I recently came across some CDs that parents and kids can enjoy together. Universal Music just released a “Family Collection” of six discs. We have been rocking out to Motown for Kids as well as Songs for the Car. Read the rest »

My ten year-old son, Kevin, was sitting at dinner last night playing with his food. I could tell something was wrong. Finally, he let it out, “I thought I wouldn’t be picked on, at least for the summer.” It turns out that he was being bullied again at day camp.

I contacted the camp director and informed him of what Kevin told me. His response was, “We didn’t see anything so there is nothing we can do.” If I understand this correctly, at least one of his campers is scared to return to camp and he says there is nothing he can do about this situation? This is not acceptable. I believe there is a lack of concern at the administrative level and a lack of training and support for the counselors. Read the rest »

It’s funny to me how something that was so popular twenty something years ago can get my daughter excited in 2008. I guess what goes around really does come back around. On August 12, Strawberry Shortcake is dancing and singing her way on stage in a new release called “Rockaberry Roll.” Read the rest »

Every once in a while, the news will present horror stories about pets biting children or neighbors. As a responsible owner, it is up to you to make sure your pooch will never put anyone else in danger. Whether he’s a guard dog or a favorite at the local dog park, biting should not be something he is taught to do. Instead, you have to teach him not to do it! If you have a puppy or a full grown dog, you can teach him not to bite.

The inclination to bite normally develops as a puppy. You bring home that cute little ball of fur, and overlook his biting tendencies; passing them off as playfulness. When a dog is young, then his biting may be a form of play or it may be a way to establish his rank in your home. Many behavior experts turn to the pack animal drive as an explanation to biting. Either way, it must be stopped early. But before you start an anti-biting training regimen, figure out if your pup is biting or just chewing. A puppy likes to chew things, and if your hand is there then he will chew it. Give him toys, and do not allow him to chew on your hand. He may not have a biting problem after all! If the toys are not a distraction and he obviously likes to bite, then take action immediately. Enrolling in an obedience class is the best way to handle the situation. However, not everyone can enjoy the luxury of professional training. In these cases, you must take training into you own hands. If he tries to bite, give him a firm “no” and remove your hand. As he starts to understand that you do not want him to bite, you can slip him a treat when he doesn’t bite or when he responds to the “no” command. Read the rest »

For such a little person, a baby sure goes through a lot of laundry: diapers, bibs, sleepers, undershirts, blankets, sheets, socks, pants . . . and of course all the items the baby spits up on that also need to be cleaned—often.

That’s why having a baby in the house turns the mundane washer and dryer into wonder machines of incredible convenience. This increase in laundry loads is also a good reason for you to focus your green efforts on the laundry room. Read the rest »