Add Comment By Sue Pierce | February 08, 2010

I lived in San Francisco for 10 years before retreating to the suburbs when my son was one year old. In the city, we had a fog-covered sand box for a back yard. In suburbia, we have big back yard with lots of plant beds and abundant sunshine. It’s the perfect set-up for gardening. The only problem is, I have no gardening experience.

Last Easter, in an effort to fill my son’s basket with something other than candy, chocolate, or candy-coated chocolate, I bought a little sunflower growing kit. It came with a teeny flowerpot, a couple seeds, and some dehydrated soil (just add water!). It was a huge hit! We planted the seeds together and within a week, green shoots poked out of the soil. When the seedlings were big enough, we transferred them to the garden. My son helped my husband dig the holes. After a few weeks, real, live sunflowers bloomed! A month or two later, my husband brought home some veggie plants and we planted those in the garden. My son loved watching the tomatoes turn from green to red. He learned to identify basil and would eat it right in the garden. Pretty radical for a kid who days before wouldn’t eat anything grown from the earth.

Add Comment By Cori Kesler | February 08, 2010

Before my child started public school I had all sorts of grand ideas of what I would do with the PTA. I would organize fundraisers, help facilitate conversation between parents and staff, help out in the classroom… But when it came time to put my son Joe in kindergarten I found myself struggling financially, working 60 hours a week, and caring for a second baby. I didn’t have time for the PTA.

Here it is 4 years later. Joe is in third grade and Maia will start kindergarten in the fall. I’ve yet to go to one PTA meeting. I am a member ($10) - which is helpful to them because of National PTA funding – but I can’t commit to being part of its core group of volunteers (president, vp, secretary, communications liason, etc) because I lack the time and energy.

Does this mean that I’m entirely absent from the school? Not at all; but rather than going to meetings and making fundraising phone calls, I’ve chosen to spend my time on three carefully chosen activities.

1 Comment By Cody | February 04, 2010

The internet is full to the brim of great blogs and resources for parents of all ages, interests and backgrounds. Listed below is a compilation of some of today’s latest and greatest blogs. Check them out; you’re sure to find a few that can teach you a thing or two.

1. For parents on the go, Travel Savvy Mom is a great place to visit and explore. With hundreds of reviews throughout dozens of countries, this site offers travelling parents some much needed advice and suggestions. Before you book your next family vacation you might want to check out this site.

2. If you’re looking for something a little less ordinary, check out Scary Mommy. This blogger offers a funny and insightful take on motherhood. With her ingenious wit and slightly sarcastic tone, you’ll find yourself spending hours reading Jill’s hilarious posts.

Add Comment By Sue Pierce | February 02, 2010

When I think of fun activities to do with my kids, grocery shopping definitely does not make the list. But we need to eat, and ninety-five percent of the time I food shop, my kids are with me. Something had to be done to make this weekly errand fun for all of us, so I created some “games” to play with my kids as we shop.

I’ll be honest, there are days I bribe my 3-year-old to sit in the cart with a lollypop (even at 9am), but most of the time a trip to the grocery store ends up being a surprisingly good time. Here are some suggestions to breathe new life into a tired chore:

1 Comment By Cori Kesler | February 02, 2010

When he was 4, my son, Joe, and I would spend a half hour in front of his closet every morning choosing the day's t-shirt -- which usually included some form of superman, batman or Spiderman emblazoned across the chest. A character that might have been acceptable last week would be villainous (and unwearable) the next. I'll never forget my frustration.

Here it is five years later and, just as Joe decides he could care less about what he wears, my daughter becomes obsessed with clothes. Super heroes aren't Maia's thing though; she likes princesses. Bonus points if it's a Barbie® princess.

Add Comment By Sue Pierce | January 25, 2010

Don’t we all love it when our kids are having too much fun to realize they’re actually learning something? Get them to eat their veggies too and you have the perfect outing.

Visiting a local organic farm is a great way to teach your kids about where food comes from and what it means to be organic. One of my favorites is Tanaka Farms  in Irvine, CA. Their seasonal farm tours – strawberry in the spring, watermelon in the summer, and pumpkin in the fall – mix hands-on fun with the right amount of learning.

12 Comment By Cori Kesler | January 20, 2010

When I was young, I'd walk myself to and from school. Sometimes I'd go with friends, other times alone. I remember doing it as early as kindergarten. After school I was sent out to play. Everyone was. All the neighborhood kids would be out--tossing a ball, having snowball fights, jumping in leaves ... each season brought new games. We were never bored.

When the street lights came on, or parents called out from doorsteps, it was time to go home. Simple.

Here it is 30 years later. I live on the west coast (no seasons) in an urban environment with two children of my own. And times have changed.

Would I consider letting my kindergarten-age child walk to school alone (never mind that school is 5 miles across town)? No. No way. How about playing outside? I allow them to chalk up the sidewalk in front of our house, or ride down the block on a skateboard or trike... but I'm RIGHT there. Either outside with them, or watching, perched at the window, at the ready to tackle anyone who dares mess with my kids.

At the same time, I'm loath to instill this fear in them.

Add Comment By Sue Pierce | January 17, 2010

Occasionally I’ll show up to a play date with a warm banana bread or a plate of soft chocolate chip cookies. No, I’m not trying to be some sort of super mom, super housewife. The truth is, I love to bake with my kids. It’s a great way to pass an hour, the results are always delicious, and the kids get to learn a thing or two about the ways of the kitchen. 
 

Many moms admit to me that they have never dared to attempt anything of the sort. I recommend starting small by letting your child (ages 2 and up are the best suited for kitchen duty) pour flour, baking powder, etc. (pre-measured by you) into a mixing bowl, or mix the dry and wet ingredients with a large wooden spoon. My 2-year-old loves to switch the mixer on and off on my command.

Add Comment By Amrita Sheokand | December 30, 2009

Visiting family in Seattle this winter has brought up one pressing question for me- What do parents in places that get snowed in for months on end help their children expend energy?

I have made use of sunny mornings by taking my toddler to nearby parks (freezing in the process while I watch her get at least an hour of fresh air). But the colder it gets the tougher it is for me to bear the chill. So in my quest to stay warm while my toddler gets some exercise, I have come across a few interesting concepts that might help parents in a similar climates.

One of them is a home, warm and clean, where toys are laid out in each child safe room. Kids can play with blocks and dolls and cars and a plethora of other interesting toys while it snows or rains outside. Camps and classes of various interests are also held to keep children involved.

2 Comment By Amrita Sheokand | December 22, 2009

  Most households with children have an abundance of toys. Once children come into our lives, their toys seem to come pouring out of their rooms into the rest of the house. A new children’s book by David Shannon addresses this in his book “Too Many Toys.”