Mommage

"Sunny days, sleeping the clouds away...

"On my way to where the air is clean...Can you tell me how to get, how to get to...."

If you have kids or have been a kid yourself these past nearly 40 years, then you know the rest. Sesame Street.

Every morning, the strains of this theme song greet my son and I as I put him in his Exer-saucer while I get ready for work. I'm not usually the type of mom that plops my son down in front of the television all day, but I need the time in the morning to prep for my day and his.

Homeschooling

There were many times I considered homeschooling my son, not because I thought it was better, but only because I felt he wasn't learning enough in the classroom due to his behavioral problems.  Every time I came close to making a final decision, however, things would improve at school causing me to change my mind.  Two things bothered me about the idea of homeschooling.  One was the lack of social interaction, and the other was the fact that I am not a teacher and am not qualified to teach.

Apparently I'm not the only one concerned about a parent's lack of teaching expertise.

Let Freedom Ring!

If kids came with instructions, at what age would they recommend a child be allowed to ride public transportation alone?  According to Lenore Skenazy, writer of Free Range Kids and columnist for the New York Sun, her nine year old fourth grader was ready to test the waters on a New York City subway.  After writing about her son's experience, saying he was "ecstatic with independence", some parents accused her of child abuse while others praised her for bucking the helicopter parent trend. 

I think the real issue here is whether parents are unnecessarily overprotective, or if they are justified in thinking today's complicated world prohibits children from enjoying the freedom and independence of previous generations.

Let's examine the possibilities.

And The Great Debate Continues....

The other morning, while I had a rare hour to myself, I listened to a local radio show. They were having a listener call-in debate regarding stay-at-home moms versus working ones. Listening to each side argue their point made me all the more angry, first because I don't even think this should be a debate to begin with, and second because each side was so convinced their way was the best that they thought it was the only way.

Which side is correct?

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

Every time I button up my shirt or sweater,
I remember the time Mr. Rogers buttoned his sweater the wrong way on his television show.  I'm sure his genuine reaction to the blunder made millions of kids feel much better about their own mishaps.  I know it made me feel better.  I have always been a fan of Mr. Rogers.  In a complicated and fast paced world, he has a way of making everything seem peaceful and simple.  And if he can have a calming effect on me, then I'm sure his demeanor helps make a difference in a lot of children.

If you and your kids enjoy Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, you can show your appreciation on March 20th by wearing a sweater on "Sweater Day" to honor our friend who passed away five years ago.  Mr. Rogers, who was loved by children because he liked them just the way they are, said he wore a sweater “to make it seem like a comfortable time. It’s a symbol of staying a while, of settling down for some quiet time together.”

Have you ever wondered what happened to his sweater?

Parent Job Description

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way, I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION : Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION : Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES : The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION : None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE : None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION : Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS : While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

** AND A FOOTNOTE... THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!! ** If you are fortunate enough, you will become grandparents!

--Conributed by Renee

The Value of a Dollar

Let me start by saying I'm cheap.  I wasn't always that way, but after my first child was born and our income was slashed in half, I was forced to view money with a whole different perspective.  I no longer saw a dollar as just another piece of paper in my pocket, instead I valued what that one dollar could buy.  It started out being depressing and stressful, but I eventually got the hang of it, and even managed to turn it into a challenging game.  I developed a system of making the most of every dollar, and it worked.  It became a habit and something I continued doing long after it was mandatory.  As a result, my kids grew up respecting money and having a sense of what it takes to run a household.  And most importantly,  when I said I couldn't afford something, they understood and never associated it with my love for them, or lack thereof.

As you will see in this letter written to Aeropostale on Planetfeedback, the parent chose to pay more than what was believed to be the price for clothing for their twelve year old daughter, so she would not be disappointed.  Every parent wants to give their kids the world, but is it really a good idea?

Mom is Super but not Superwoman

Michele recently wrote a letter to Sears via Planetfeedback, regarding an issue with a malfunctioning dishwasher that created a dangerous situation in the kitchen where her toddler was present.  As I was reading the responses to her letter, I realized that some people actually think it's possible for a parent to keep an eye on their child at all times. 

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Tooth Tunes? Really

This is a great idea and would make a great stocking stuffer.  Tooth tunes, is an innovative way to get your children to brush their teeth for the full two minutes that many Dentists recommend.  If you are a parent or a grandparent or an Aunt or an Uncle, you know how much of a chore it can be to get your children to brush properly.  I am for anything that makes any aspect of parenting just a little easier.

There are several artists to choose from, Kelly Clarkson, Hillary Duff, Hannah Montana, Queen, The Cheetah Girls, KISS and many more.  As your child brushes the implanted microchip plays two minutes of the a song from the artist that you selected.  Apparently this music actually travels from the teeth up to the ears.  So now you can have voices in your head just from brushing your teeth.  If there is one downside, I would have to say that we were a little disappointed that there was not more of a selection (artist wise) for younger children.  Hopefully that is something that is in the works.  These toothbrushes run about $9 at Wal-Mart, really not much more than those Spin Brushes, a small price to pay for fewer cavities!

--Contributed by Renee

Baby Einstein And Brainy Baby, Do They Help Or Hinder?

So you think you are doing a good thing.  You purchase Baby Einstein or Brainy Baby or similar DVD's to play for your children in the hope it will give them a jump start with their vocabulary and other skills.  Now the experts tell us that instead of helping them these DVDs may in fact be hindering their development.  I came across this article earlier this week when I was at Child Find with my son.  We were there to meet with a speech therapist, to try and determine the reason for my sons speech delay (luckily it just appears to be a small speech delay and his motor and cognitive skills are fine). 

I read this article in total disbelief.  I have done this, happily plunking down the rather high price for these videos hoping to help my son.  Now I read that this may actually have slowed him down somewhat.  I am still struggling with how to feel.  How much weight to give this study.  Wondering how when you truly have the best intentions, you can be doing it all wrong.  I wonder if this is like other studies, you know the ones I am talking about.  This year it is bad, next year it will be the best thing you can do for your child.  Ugh!  What is a parent to do?

--Contributed by Renee