Mommy and Me Days

Lightening storms with your kids

2010-06-03T21:41:00.007-04:00

I've taken a break for a while from the blog...spending time working full time and being a mommy full time.... which means no time for blogging! But tonight I had to post something my daughter and I just shared.

Living in Florida there are always terrible thunderstorms every summer. I don't know about your kids, but my daughter has always been terrified of lightening and thunder. So to help her get over her fears I wrote this little poem (maybe it will be a book one day!) Every time it storms, Kaylea asks me to read it with her and then we make some kind of snack for God. Tonight its Macaroni and Cheese (Kraft!)

Enjoy this poem and feel free to share it with your kids during your next stormy night!

The BOOM in My Room

by Summer Martin

I was lying in bed,

late at night,

when all of a sudden,

I got such a fright.

I heard a loud noise.

It went BOOM, BANG and CRASH!

I called for my mom,

and she came in a flash.

"Whats that noise?" I said

as it BANGED and it BOOMED,

My mom said, "Its thunder,

banging outside your room."

"Thunder? What's that?

Oh, I'm really scared now!"

"Don't be scared", Mommy said,

"Its just a silly sound."

"Its God up in heaven",

My mom said to me.

"He forgot to eat dinner,

He's just hungry you see!"

That is pretty silly,

I thought to myself.

Now how do I make him stop

rattling my shelf?

Whenever I'm hungry,

My mom makes me food.

Peanut Butter and Jelly,

Gets me in a good mood.

So I asked my mom,

If it was okay,

If we made God a sandwich,

...a PB&J!

So that's what we did.

We made one for me too.

I left one out for God,

then I went to my room.

Sure enough it had worked.

No more BOOM! It had passed!

God's tummy was full,

No more thunder at last!

So if you hear thunder,

in your bed late at night,

just make God a sandwich,

and you'll be alright!

copyright 2008 by Summer Lea Rogers-Martin

Repeat after me moms, "It's OK to Work!" & you can be happy doing it!

2009-10-09T08:00:00.011-04:00

According to an article just posted yesterday by CNN, working moms say they are busy, but happy. I agree completely. Being a working mom is hard, but it has its positives. Sometimes its hard to see the positives, because as working moms we feel guilt for not being at home. The grass will always looks greener on the other side, but for now, here are a few thing great things about being a working mom:

1.) Working moms get a break

That's right, working moms get a break from the norm and all the everyday duties at home. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be a stay at home mom just once, to see what its like. But, I also enjoy going to work and taking a break from the insanity of running a household.

2.) Working moms have an opportunity to create a strong bond with their kids

You're thinking, "How can we bond, when all we do is work?" Well, its kind of like the old saying, "Distance makes the heart grow fonder." In families with SAHMs, their lives are filled with everyday activities, chores, errands, lists, and duties. Bonding time gets set aside quite often. One would think that having more time to spend with one another would help that bond, and it may. I can't say for sure, because all I've known is working, except when I was on maternity leave for 2 months. But I believe, as working moms, if we take one "Mommy and Me Day" a week and dedicate it to having fun with our kids, it will help us bond with our kids. I mean a day with no pressure or strict rules, just fun. These are the days our kids will remember. I encourage Stay-at-Home Moms to do the same, as they need to take time to bond as well.

3.) Working moms are setting a positive example for their kids

I feel lucky because I grew up in a very hardworking, entrepreneurial family. I grew up understanding the need to work hard and give your best. I was always taught to try hard and do my best every day. Maybe I am lucky, or maybe society has just changed. A few years ago, I went through a string of college interns that were appalling. It amazed me that they would call into work or show up an hour late. It was as if they had been taught book smarts (even those seemed skimmed over), and that nobody had taught them life lessons or business skills. As working moms, setting a responsible example of going to work and doing our job with a positive attitude, helps our kids think positively about work. This will ultimately help them in the future. After all, we can't depend on our schools to teach them everything, it is our responsibility as parents to instill things like good morals, healthy eating, and a good work ethic in our children.

4.) Working moms are helping their family during hard times like the recession

As much as it sucks to go to work, and spend your day in a retail store watching other "soccer moms" shop with their kids (can you sense my personal grudge here?), look on the bright side: You Have a Job! So many people right now aren't that lucky. Some moms are at home because they can't find a job, and their family is struggling even more than you to make ends meet. Its hard to stay positive, but everyday I tell myself, "I'm thankful I have a job. I have more than many people right now."

The article on CNN says, "U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that 66 percent of women with children age 17 or younger work either full or part time. Among those mothers, nearly three-quarters work full time." Working is a reality now folks, whether you are a mom, a dad, or even a teenager. The recession has blinders on and let's face it: everyone has to chip in! Its OK though. Working is not evil. Its not even a bad thing. Working is a part of life, and is what I believe God created us to do. After all, after making Adam, the first thing he did was give him a job to name all the animals and take care of them. That's right, the first job in the world was a Zookeeper. Working "is what it is". What our work "becomes", depends on how we choose to have an attitude about it. I choose to be positive and help my kids find work to be a positive thing.

Repeat after me moms, "It's OK to work! IT'S OK TO WORK!" (Believe me I have to tell myself this every day!)

1 in 15 women have PCOS yet most women have never heard of it!

2009-10-07T18:48:00.012-04:00

Did you know that the most common cause of infertility that affects 1 in 15 women is something most women have never heard of? Its called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS for short. So many women who are having problems getting pregnant may have no idea they have PCOS. If they did, they could start on a path to reverse its symptoms. I am a success story and my beautiful little girl is proof that women with PCOS can have children. Here is my story:

At 26 years of age, I had never heard of PCOS. When I began college, I expected to gain the "Freshman 15", but ended up gaining 30 pounds. My hair began thinning so much, that when my roommate (and best friend) and I got into a brawl she refused to pull my hair because she felt bad that I was already losing it! (Thank you Sabrina!) I was always plucking hair from my chin or trying to dye my mustache. It was a part of my every day life that I had become accustomed to. I simply chocked it up to "bad genes", and little did I know that I was right.

It wasn't until I spoke with my cousin Jennifer a GYN otherwise known as Dr. Hayes, that it all began to make sense. Jennifer knew the symptoms I had and begged me to come into her office to see if, in fact, I had PCOS. After nudging from my mother, my aunt and my cousin, I surrendered and went to her office. She was right. I had a hereditary condition called "Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome", often called "PCOS". Not only does it cause symptoms of irregular periods and hormone level changes, causing facial hair etc., but it also can cause problems in ovulation, making it hard to conceive. The news was devastating. I was married and starting to get serious about having a baby. I remember thinking, 'Will I ever be able to have kids?' For a while I was depressed, but Jennifer was encouraging and put me on a course to help reverse my PCOS symptoms. Within 3 months after seeing my cousin, Dr. Hayes, I became pregnant my "miracle baby".

That's my story, in a short abbreviated version. Its been a long road, and it still is. My hair is thinner than ever, and its been a constant struggle to keep my weight down. But the good news is if you know about PCOS, you can manage it to some degree. September was PCOS awareness month, but unfortunately I did not get around to this post. Going to see Dr. Hayes this week to talk about my PCOS issues reminded me how important it is to share my story with others who may not know they have PCOS.

PCOS Event in Tampa Bay on October 22nd:

Board-Certified Gynecologist Dr. Jennifer Hayes will be doing a FREE Lunch and Lecture on PCOS at St. Anthony's Carillon Outpatient Center in Largo on Thursday, October 22 from Noon to 1:00 pm. If you or someone you know suffers from irregular periods, facial hair growth, or you easily gain weight, you can find out more information at this free lecture. To reserve a space call (727) 825-1111. You can also visit her website: http://www.visionarycentreforwomen.com

One, Two, Free... Funny things kids say even when they don't mean to.

2009-10-07T08:28:00.003-04:00

Lately we've been working with our 4 year-old daughter on her pronunciation. Like many kids her age she has a problem with a few sounds like S and TH for instance. She always says, "One, two, free" or "I'm Firsty." It's definitely cute, but its important to teach them the right way to say it so that when they start school they aren't "that kid with the lisp", and even more so they can do well in school. When she concentrates on it she can say "Three" using her tongue in between her teeth.

Well a few days ago my daughter and I were having lunch with her "Mimi and Gada" (a.k.a. Grandma and Grandpa) at Arbys. Kaylea noticed that the chair my father was about to sit in was broken, and worried she yelled out, "Gada Don't Sh*t There! DON'T SH*T!" Every eye in the restaurant was on us! It was quite funny, but Kaylea had no idea what was so funny, rather she was worried about him sitting on the chair!

These funny moments are one of the best parts of being a parent and they definitely help you get through the week!

A Mommy and Me Day Making Art from the Heart

2009-09-27T17:39:00.005-04:00

Last weekend we were invited to a birthday party at a pottery painting studio. The theme was princess and there was so much creativity going into it. What I loved is the idea of having it revolve around an art activity! All of the girls were dressed as different princesses from Ariel to Cinderella and even a full Bridal costume. Each girl painted a piece of pottery and had to leave it there to pick up the next week.

Well today we decided to take some "Mommy and Me" time to pick up her princess box from the "Art from the Heart Cafe" and while we were there we painted some pieces. Pottery Painting shops provide a fun and creative afternoon of fun for Mommy and Me Days. Kids can pick out the piece of pottery they want to paint and the colors and go to town creating their very own masterpiece. Its a great way to be creative and see what your kids are inclined to pick for a pottery piece or what colors they are drawn to use. Not only does it help encourage a child's creativity, but its also a way to get your toddlers working with their hands! (A great way to help fine tune those writing skills.)

With the holidays approaching its a great way to get your kids involved in giving at Christmas. They can make unique holiday gifts for grandparents and relatives by putting their hand prints on plates or painting a coffee mug for their grandma. They will be so proud to give them as gifts because they were made "from the heart".

Our local shop "Art from the Heart Cafe" even has their own Mommy and Me Night on Friday nights where moms who bring their daughters get a discount! This doesn't have to be a Mommy and Me event just for Moms with Toddlers, its a fun thing to do with "grown-up" moms and daughters too!

Friday Fun Video: Baby dances to Beyonce's All the Single Ladies!

2009-09-25T08:29:00.003-04:00

This video will make everyone laugh it is soooo adorable! My 4 year old daughter told me to watch this video this morning. She said, "That lil' baby 's got a Groooooove to it!"

Shelly Seale is a Mom on a Mission to Travel with a Purpose

2009-09-22T07:49:00.008-04:00

Most moms like to travel for fun, a vacation here, a Mommy Spa Day there...

Shelley Seale is a mom whose motto is "Travel with a Purpose".

Most of you have probably seen the recent movie "Slumdog Millionaire". Sometimes, when watching a movie like that, we still feel detached. Shelley traveled to India well before this movie came out, and she told us, "I’ve seen plenty of things like what happened to the characters in that movie happen for real to kids I’ve gotten to know."

When Shelley traveled to India, she saw how many kids were orphaned and left living on the streets to deal with issues like HIV, child labor or the sex trade. It was during that time that she developed a deep compassion for these kids and wanted to help give them a voice in a world where they seemed invisible.

Over the next three years, Shelley worked on her book "The Weight of Silence: Invisible Children of India". She spent hundreds of hours researching and took four trips to India to meet more children and interview social workers, doctors, and locals living there.

Shelley decided to take her daughter with her in 2006 and it was an experience that helped them bond as mother and daughter forever. Shelley said, "I took her to India with me in 2006, when she was 15 years old, and we spent a week working in the orphanage. It was great for our relationship, as well as an incredible growth experience for her. She wants to go back so badly!"

Check out Shelley Seale's book "The Weight of Silence: Invisible Children of India" and visit her website for great tips and advice for how people can follow their passions, get involved and make a big difference with even small actions.

About Shelley Seale:
Shelley is a freelance writer, based in Texas. For much of her life she has had the opportunity to be involved in nonprofit work and social activism, many times having to do with children. Growing up, her family fostered many children and even adopted her sister Katie. As an adult, she volunteered to help abused and neglected children and became a mentor for at risk teens.

In 2004, she read Caroline Boudreaux's story of how she journeyed to India and saw hundreds of kids living in hunger and it changed her world forever. Shelly was compelled to sponsor a child in India through The Miracle Foundation that Caroline Boudreaux began. In 2005, Shelly travelled with Caroline to work in the orphanage and meet the children in India. Needless to say, it changed her world forever too.

Too Much Work and Not Enough Time for a Mommy and Me Day?

2009-09-21T07:20:00.004-04:00

You may have noticed the Mommy and Me Days site has been rather barren this week. When I tell you that I understand what its like being a working mom, I mean it. I've been there, done that. Wait a minute...I AM THERE, DOING THAT!

This has been a tough week. I work for a retail store, doing marketing and a slew of other tasks. Those of you who work in retail know that when the holiday season starts up, it gets crazy. Why is it already crazy in September?! I've worked 6 days this week - plus 2 nights! My daughter struggled to keep her eyes open until I got home on Thursday night. She managed to make it to 10:00pm, but I didn't get home until 10:30pm. I had promised her that if she was awake when I got home, I would read her one of her favorite books and sing her songs. She tried so hard, bless her heart. The next morning she woke up and the first thing she said was, "Mommy, you forgot to read my book and sing me a lullaby!"

It hurt. It tears at your heart strings when you you can't be there for your kids. I know how it feels. As working moms, we feel guilty and yet we shouldn't. Why you say? Because when we go to work:

We are providing for our children.

We are setting a great example of having a "good work ethic"

We are teaching them about responsibility

But while we are doing all of that, who is there for our kids to love them and care for them? Won't our kids think that we are ignoring them, or that we love work more than them? They may, but kids are tougher than you think and they understand a LOT more than you think. Even as young as 3 and 4 you can explain to kids why you go to work every day, and how much you love them.

Kids see your stressed-out side every day. That is why Mommy and Me Days are so important to do on a weekly basis. Mommy and Me Days reinforce the bond between working moms and their kids. When I talk about Mommy and Me Days, I am referring to a day or at least an afternoon, completely dedicated to one-on-one uninterrupted time with your child or children.

This week, we haven't had time to do a whole Mommy and Me Day. That happens - especially during the holidays, working retail. Sometimes you can only dedicate an hour here or an hour there. That's okay, as long as you spend that time focused on your child. If you have more than one child, you can have Mommy and Me Days together - however, try to work into your schedule some one-on-one Mommy and Me time for each individual child if you can. Turn the cell phones off, and focus on your kids.

Together we can be working moms who are making a difference in our children's lives!

Rima and Claudia are two moms on a mission to get you cooking with your kids!

2009-09-11T08:00:00.001-04:00

This week, we took a poll to see how many of you ate dinner together as a family. While we only received 13 votes, the results were interesting. When asked how many times a week you eat together as a family at home:

38% - more than 5 times a week
23% - 4 to 5 times a week
15% - sometimes together but at a restaurant
7% - always together but at a restaurant
7% - 2-3 times a week
7% - Never. We are always on the go and everyone eats on their own time.

I'd say 38% of you are downright amazing (or lying - one or the other)! Truth is in the past 20 years family dinners have declined 33 percent and family vacations have decreased 28 percent. With parents working longer hours and kids' schedules being jam packed, there is a steady decline in overall family time together.

If you are like me, your schedule is crazy and you hardly have time for your kids, much less to cook! But that's where we are wrong says moms Rima Barkett and Claudia Pruett, authors of the new cookbook "Cooking Dinner". Rima grew up in Tuscany and she says, "In Italy where I'm from, dinner time is family time - no excuses. Nothing is more important. One person does the salad. One person puts on the pasta, Its time to be together." These two moms say even the busiest families can learn how to cook and enjoy a great meal together. (And did you know that when kids cook meals they are more likely to eat them?)

Rima and Claudia are busy working moms who love to cook. Both were introduced to the love of cooking and entertaining by their mothers and grandmothers and because of their experiences as instructors, chefs and restaurateurs, they decided to create a cookbook to help families learn to cook simple, delicious and healthy meals. Rima and Claudia also started a non-profit organization called the A Tavola Together Foundation that promotes healthy eating for school age children. They have taught students to cook in classrooms and community youth associations, and taught them both life skills and basic cooking techniques.

Their goal is to get families to eat together. Claudia stresses, "We have active kids, busy lifestyles, there is never enough time to get everything done. But, we undervalue ourselves as parents when we believe the time they spend with the coach is more important than the time they spend with us." This is right in tune with what the Mommy and Me Days project is all about - spending time together as a family!

I encourage you to plan to cook a meal this weekend as a family and eat together at your dinner table with no distractions, just FTT as we call it in our family, "Family Talkin' Time!"

Check out their new cookbook "Cooking Dinner" at: http://www.atavolatogether.com/

Every city has a story... so get to know your city's story with your kids!

2009-09-10T22:15:00.006-04:00

Yes, my daughter has been asking a lot of questions about sponges lately. This is because we just spent a Mommy, Daddy and Me Day on a boat trip to see a man dive for sponges in Tarpon Springs, Florida, the "Sponge Capital of the World"! (Its all right to include Dad sometimes ya know!)

Did you know that in 1890, a developer discovered sponges growing off the coast of Tarpon Springs? Soon, Greek sponge divers began immigrating to the area. They would dive in suits with huge copper helmets and they would wear weights on their backs to keep them down in the water. Talk about a hot suit! I am sure glad we've developed better diving gear over the years!

We took a little boat ride out and watched the diver jump into the water, just as they did in the old days in one of those incredible heavy suits, and come back up with a sponge! It was a very cool experience and we even got the divers autograph! How much did it cost? $8 for adults and kids were free! That's pretty cheap for an afternoon that your kids will remember forever. Afterwards, we walked around and enjoyed the Greek culture and food in downtown Tarpon Springs.

Every city has a story, whether its Tarpon Springs, Florida or New York City. Believe it or not, you can learn a lot about history and culture even in the smallest towns! Taking your kids to local places that have a story behind them can be a great experience on a Mommy and Me Day, and it doesn't always have to break the bank!

Deep thought from a 4 year old: Does everything have brains?

2009-09-10T08:12:00.005-04:00

My daughter loves watching "Sid the Science Kid" so she is always pondering very deep questions. This morning she asked me, "Mommy does everything have brains?"

I told her that everything living has brains... or so I thought, but she trumped me. Kaylea responded, "Do sponges have brains?" I told her I didn't know, so she asked if I could take a survey on my blog to see if Sponges had brains! So here goes.... what do you think? Help my 4 year old solve this problem. She will be checking back for responses! (She can read yes and no!)

Do sponges have brains?

Kid Hero of the Week: Six year-old boy saves toddler frrom jumping in the pool

2009-09-09T18:36:00.005-04:00

Six year-old Jake from Kentucky is our Kid Hero this week!

Jake was at the local pool about to dive off the diving board that was 11 feet high. He noticed the toddler nearing the pool and jumped off the diving board and swam to the side of the pool where the toddler was. As the toddler approached the pool Jake held him up until his mom came so he wouldn't fall in. What a hero!

Do you know a kid hero who has done something brave or special recently? Email your story to mommyandmedays@gmail.com and we'd be glad to feature him or her as our Kid Hero of the Week!

Calandra Cruickshank and Dana Valdez: Two "Moms on a Mission" to start a stimulus plan of their own with Common Kindness.

2009-09-07T07:00:00.000-04:00

Times are tough right now, and we can all use as much help as we can get. Problem is - when things get bad, where do people turn? Many people turn to non-profit organizations for help, but what happens when the non-profits begin to feel the effects of the recession? What happens when they don't have enough money to sustain the people that need help? Where do they turn? They turn to people who can donate, right? But, if you are like most of us hard working moms out there, after you've made your budget and cut your coupons, you are lucky if you have enough money to pay your bills, much less donate to a charity. Well, now there is a solution!

Two moms from upstate New York, Calandra Cruickshank and Dana Valdez are "moms on a mission" to create a sustainable stimulus plan to help families save money, drive traffic to businesses, and help fund non-profits from the national to the local level. Having launched a little over a week ago, their website CommonKindness.com is a revolutionary approach to the everyday coupons we are scavenging for during this recession.

Calandra Cruickshank and Dana Valdez of CommonKindness

Moms everywhere are practicing their coupon cutting skills looking for BOGO offers and 50 cents off their favorite brand of macaroni and cheese, trying to save every penny they can. At the same time, they are getting hit by donation requests from their son's soccer team, the local community center, and every other charity that is need right now. How can they do both without leaving someone out?

Through CommonKindness, moms can clip coupons online and donate to their favorite charities at the same time. Here is how it works: Businesses (both national and local) pay to advertise coupons on CommonKindness.com. Every time someone clips a coupon on their site the business pays a nominal fee to CommonKindness (similar to a pay per click program), who then donates 60% of that fee to charity. What makes it even cooler is that you can choose which charities the revenue from your coupon clippings goes to, down to the local level. For instance, say you clip a coupon for a box of cereal - you can choose for your donations to go to your local church or your son's soccer team! So, even when you don't have the money to give, you can still donate by clipping coupons. Talk about a great fundraising program - politicians take note!

Not only are these moms working to help make the world a better place, but they are inspiring their kids to do the same. They put together a summer internship for their kids in an effort to help them understand more about what their moms do and what CommonKindness is all about. Their children, Aidan and Rowan Cruickshank and Alyssa and Hailey Valdez, spent one week this summer developing a social media outreach program for CommonKindness, directed at teens and young adults. Cassandra told MommyandMeDays, "They were really engaged at the get-go and loved the idea of promoting the idea of "coupons with a conscience". They had to put together almost a business plan." The kids determined that the best way to get a message across to their generation was through YouTube videos, and so they produced 4 YouTube Clips like the one below to help their moms promote CommonKindness. Dana said she's always tried to teach them that, "hard work does pay off and everything they do today rolls into their future." With their internship, they got to see everything come full circle and have really participated in helping their moms promote CommonKindness.

What they are doing is really great. If you are a "coupon clipper", visit their website to clip coupons and know that when you do you are helping someone else too. If you are a charity, register on their site and guess what - they let you make your own "micro-site" on there to direct people to! And finally, if you own a business, I'd consider getting your coupons on there! And if none of these apply to you, then I simply urge you to show someone some common kindness this week!

Mom Jillian Wolstein is working to give hope, education, love and protection to children in Malawi and inspiring her kids to H.E.L.P. along the way.

2009-09-04T07:00:00.005-04:00

This month we are featuring strong mothers who are working for a cause or have dedicated a part of their life to helping others. Jillian Wolstein, a 40-something mom from Cleveland, Ohio has dedicated the last 3 years to starting H.E.L.P., a non-profit organization that gives hope, education, love and protection to children in Malawi and throughout the world, starting with an education and health care. Even better, she has involved her four children (all under the age of 19) through the entire process.

“I needed my life at the end of the day to have meant more than that I was married to a very successful man, living in a mansion in Cleveland, Ohio raising my four children. My husband's family has been very philanthropic, There are half a dozen buildings with their name on it in Ohio. They write huge checks, which is very important, but I come from a family of social workers, and for me something was lacking in just the writing of a check.”, Jillian said.
Jillian wanted to be hands on in helping people, seeking the human connection and interaction with those she was helping, and she wanted her children to experience it first hand as well. Jillian shared her thoughts with us on the Western culture's view of the rich and poor:
“In Western cultures we judge someone by how much they are worth financially. It doesn't matter what their character, if they are rich we idolize them. So if you are poor, you must be stupid. Why else would you be poor? I wanted my kids to understand that there are much better ways to judge someone's character than financially. For the vast majority of people in the world, one has nothing to do with the other. If your parents have died, if your government can not provide for you and you don't have access to an education, you might be the most brilliant writer, the most gifted artist, but no one would ever know.”
Jillian and her family were in the process of building an enormous new house, but it was bittersweet, because she felt before she could be worthy of living in such a place, she needed to give back. Jillian said, “I decided on the plane home from Africa that I would come back and try to make a difference. I didn't know where or how I would do it, just that I needed to do something.” That’s when Jillian began her journey to start the H.E.L.P. organization to improve the lives of children in Malawi through education and health care.

As a very hands-on mother of four (all under the age of 19), Jillian has involved her kids in H.E.L.P. every step of the way, from volunteering locally to going to Malawi and donating their time at the school and medical clinic! We asked Jillian how her children were involved and this is what she said:

“My oldest son, Harrison, is a jazz guitarist. On our trip to Malawi, Harrison spent a lot of time with Joseph, a young man who played guitar in the village band. Harrison taught Joseph how to play the American guitar and Joseph taught Harrison how to play his homemade oil can guitar. At the end of the trip they exchanged guitars. The guitar is Joseph's most prized possession and he, along with his fellow band mates, teaches music at our school. They also travel the villages teaching about HIV/AIDS through song.”

“Ilana, my oldest daughter, is a gifted photographer. She took some amazing photos on her trip over and her school did their first ever student showing of her work. She has sold her prints at our events and there are some celebrities that have them hanging in their homes. Ilana also started an organization called SWAP. (Students with a purpose). She has had a benefit for Save Darfur and one for HELP. Ilana and her committee members did everything themselves, got the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for free, sent out corporate letters, hired bands, etc. They had an amazingly successful event and raised over $40,000 for HELP Malawi.”

“Shelby, my youngest daughter, decided to ask for donations instead of gifts for her Bat Mitzvah. People were very generous and she raised $35,000 for HELP. She came with me to Malawi, with her girlfriend and my mother. They helped to break the bricks for the school foundation. The leadership of SWAP has been turned over to her now as Ilana has left for college.”

“Merrick, my youngest, volunteers everyday after school in our office. He has sold our products at his school and has done two different school supply drives at area schools.”

“All four of my kids are fully committed to our projects and talk about going back all the time. My oldest son will be coming over this next summer with his cousin. My younger two ask me all the time about adopting one of the orphans from the village. I tell them that we have already adopted the whole village and that is so much better.”

Jillian has done an amazing job teaching her children how important it is to share your life with others and help them in their time of need. As mothers, it is our responsibility to instill these values and work ethics in our kids. This week I encourage you to think about ways you can teach your children to help - whether it is in Malawi or just helping an elderly neighbor down the street. Our children are watching what we do as moms. Let’s be the example that teaches them to help others!

For more information on how you can help the children of Malawi visit: http://www.helpchildren.org/

Congratulations to our August Contest Winner!

2009-09-03T07:20:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to "Mama Lynn" of http://www.mamasays.us/ for winning our August "MY KID SAID WHAT?!" contest! Here was her submission:

While driving Grandson (3) and Grandson (6) to the Children's Museum: Youngest grandson bellowed, "How come we ALWAYS do what you want to do and NEVER do what we want to do?" His brother chimed in "Yeah!"

Lynn has won a $5 starbucks gift card and a copy of our children's book: "Kaylea Grows Up: Mommy an Me Days".

Look out for more contests coming soon!

September is Moms on a Mission Month on MommyandMeDays.com

2009-09-01T08:00:00.004-04:00

September 1st kicks off our "Moms on a Mission" month for mommyandmedays.com. I grew up as a child of a mom on a mission. I believe it is important to honor our moms who are strong women, working to better the world and help those around them. My mom is one of those women whom I highly respect, and has been one of the greatest influences in my life.

They say behind every great man there is a great (or greater) woman. That statement can't be truer when it comes to my family. My mom has been there every step of the way, no matter how many crazy, hairbrained ideas my dad comes up with (no offense Dad). One day, my dad came to her with the idea to get rid of everything they had and move our family to South America to become missionaries. I know if I went to my husband and said that today, he would look at me like I was nuts. Not many spouses would take that seriously. But my mom did. My mom prayed about it and together my parents sold our family's things and gave away what didn't sell and moved us to Costa Rica to learn Spanish. My parents became full time missionaries and we moved to Venezuela to live. It is amazing how little people have in some other countries and how much we take for granted here in the United States. Being a missionary kid was probably the single most influential experience in my life. My mom gave up many opportunities she had in her life to help people in South America and teach them about God. I don't say it enough, but my mom has been a great influence on my life and others, and I am proud of her!

As moms, we have an incredible opportunity to guide our children into the right direction. It is our job to teach our sons and daughters to be strong and independent and to help those in need who can't help themselves. This month we are featuring strong women who are working for a charity or a cause that is special to them. We are highlighting women who have come up with an idea to help the world and those around them. If you, or someone you know is a "Mom on a Mission", share their story in the comments below or email us at mommyandmedays@gmail.com.

This Mom built a brand all about her "Little Stinkers".

2009-08-31T08:00:00.011-04:00

How many of us call our kids, "Little Stinkers"? Probably quite a few of us, but one mom decided to start a tee shirt brand around the term. Britt Menzies is the founder of Stinky Kids, a children’s clothing brand that teaches kids about values. The StinkyKids motto teaches little stinkers everywhere to: “Always Be a Leader of Good”

The simple and sweet designs behind her business started from spending time with her kids. Her 2 and 1/2 year old daughter, who loved ballet, asked her to draw a picture of her as a ballerina. Britt never considered herself an artist, rather a doodler. She decided to try and paint a picture of her daughter as a ballerina on a canvas. Her daughter of course loved it, but much to her surprise so did her friends. She eventually brought some of her artwork to a local children's boutique to see if other families would be interested in getting a custom painting of their child. The man who ran the shop was happy to hang up her artwork, but thought her simple designs of the kids characters would sell well on shirts.

Completely flattered by his offer to buy the rights to her characters, Britt had her "aha moment" and decided to go into business herself. Since they always called their kids "little stinkers" they decided to name it "StinkyKids".

Britt says, "While I was creating my new company called StinkyKids, I began to appreciate my mom, Merrily, more than as a great mom, but as a fellow business woman. After her sister Emily died from uterine cancer, my mom decided to leave the corporate world and form a non-profit in her honor (booksbearsbonnets.org) which delivers gift boxes to cancer patients. As it is so hard to raise money for a non-profit, it made sense to partner my new company with her mission, therefore, StinkyKids, from inception, donates 10% of it’s profits towards the fight against cancer, specifically to Books, Bears and Bonnets, Inc."

Britt's kids have been involved with StinkyKids since its inception, and continue to help to this day. "Max and Emma are my business partners. They are the ones that I bounce new ideas and creative direction with. If they like it, then that is a successful focus group. They always give me their suggestions to make it better. They also are the spokeskids for the brand. Emma is our model and Max makes sure everything sounds like it comes from a kid, not a mommy." Britt told MommyandMeDays.

Working from home can be hard. We asked Britt if she plans a "Mommy and Me Day", and she said, "Every day is mommy and me day with my kids. I am very lucky in that my kids love to be with me and my husband and we are a family unit for all activities. As my kids are in elementary school now, the weekends are mommy and me days. I do have time with each kid where we go to the movies or paint pottery together, but mostly we are all together. My husband travels a lot, so the kids and I work together to make the week's agenda work and still have fun together."

What are some of their favorite mommy and me day ideas? "Our favorite thing to do together is go to the movies. I have been taking Max to the movies since he was 2 years old (he is now 10) and Emma has been going since she was a newborn. I have kept all of the movie stubs in a scrapbook to remember all of the fun we had together and the movies we saw. We also really love our snuggle time together at the end of the day, on the couch."

Britt is living proof it is hard to balance being a full time mom and working from home. Check out how CNBC's BIG Idea with Donny Deutsch helped her organize her home office and teach her to manage her stress:

Check out www.stinkykids.com for some adorable shirts for your "little stinkers". StinkyKids shirts are carried in boutiques in Georgia, Florida and Illinois or can be ordered online. To find StinkyKids in your area click here.

Discuss: JIF's Most Creative Peanut Butter Contest. Your child can enter to win $25,000!

2009-08-28T07:30:00.002-04:00

Now speaking of lunch, probably the most popular ingredient in school lunches is Peanut Butter! Its too bad this contest wasn't around when Elvis Presley was a kid, or his grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich may have won! So, check it out: JIF is putting on a contest to find the recipe for the most creative peanut butter sandwich. What's in it for them? The winner gets a $25,000 scholarship fund! Now that's not too shabby! Plus you get to have fun in the kitchen!

My suggestion is to take your "Mommy and Me Day" and have fun in the kitchen with some peanut butter! It may get messy, put on old t-shirts and have fun! Here are the details:

The Winners Receive:

Grand Prize: One $25,000 scholarship fund and one Jifgift basket (ARV: $25,050)
Four runner-up prizes: $2,500 scholarship fund and one Jifgift basket (ARV: $2,550) each
Remaining five Online Finalist prizes: One Jif gift basket each (ARV: $50)

A Few Rules to Note:

One entry per person. The sandwich name, recipe and photo submitted must be original
Recipes must specify which variety of peanut butter (Creamy, Crunchy, Honey, etc.) is used.
Recipes may not include branded ingredients besides Smucker brands (Smucker’s®, Pillsbury® baking mixes, frostings, or flours, Jif®, Hungry Jack®, Crisco®, etc.).
You cannot submit multiple entries. If you do you are disqualified.

Dates to Remember:

Contest entry ends November 13, 2009.
The 10 potential Online Finalists will be chosen on or about December 9, 2009 and notified via telephone or mail.
Online voting is open to the public and will take place from on or about January 11, 2010, until on/about February 12, 2010 on www.jif.com.
Event Finalists will be chosen on or about February 12, 2010.
Winner will be announced to the public on or about March 19, 2010.

Click here to see JIF's Official Rules.

Click here to visit the JIF Contest Page.

Click here to download the JIF entry form to enter the contest.

Got ideas, questions or just wanna talk about Peanut Butter? Do it here!

Note: MommyandMeDays.com is not hosting this contest and cannot. Please consult the official rules for more information.

What in the world should I pack for my child's lunch?

2009-08-27T08:00:00.004-04:00

Now that our kids are "back-to-school", the question we all stumble on is "What should we pack for lunch?" Its hard to pack healthy lunches quickly, that are easy and not messy to eat. And for those of you who are like me and have an extremely picky eater, what can you do? After the first week or two packing lunch starts to get boring, monotonous.... how can you pack lunches that keep kids interested and make lunchtime fun?

One thing I saw recently was using cookie cutters to create mini sandwiches in different shapes. I thought that was cute... my problem is the filling. My daughter doesn't eat peanut butter or jelly. She loves egg sandwiches but those don't last till noon at school. All moms need all the help and suggestions they can get when it comes to packing lunch.

Post a comment and tell us what you pack to make healthy, mess-free, fun lunches for your kids! Suggestions Please!

This working mom has the yummiest job! Jill Robbins started her own cookie company!

2009-08-26T08:00:00.002-04:00

Not many moms can say they own and operate a cookie company, but that's exactly what Jill Robbins does! After her son began developing allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy and soy, as a mom she had to get creative with her cooking! Those allergens are often found in baked treats or in facilities where baked treats are made. Did you know that more than 1 million Americans are allergic to peanuts alone? Add all the allergens together and there are more than 12 million Americans who can't eat cookies!

Jill said, "Watching my son, watching everyone else enjoying treats was my motivation for starting my allergen free baking." Before starting her cookie company, HomeFree Cookies, Jill was still busy working as a clinical psychologist, singing in a choir and volunteering at her son's school. Now, she has a much more fun job.... baking cookies! Here is what she had to say about it:

Jill Robbins, owner of HomeFree Cookies

How have you involved your son in the “cookie business”?

In the most fun way possible - taste testing! Every cookbook recipe and every HomeFree product has to get a very high “score.” My son with food allergies also sometimes helps at fundraising events, where he proudly enjoys handing out HomeFree cookies to participants.

What has been your hardest struggle when it comes to balancing your family life with your work life?

It is hard to be pulled by both. I went from working part time as a psychologist to working much more than full time to build our new company. That has been a challenge for my whole family. But my husband has taken on a lot of the cooking and shopping, so that when I am not working it is easier to spend time on other family activities.

You are obviously very busy. How do you find time to balance your crazy schedule and spending time with your kids? Do you have a set “Mommy and Me Day”?

Today is a good example. I considered staying home to work this weekend, rather than join my family to visit relatives. Instead, I am here, spending most of the time with the family, and some time on my computer. With regard to “Mommy and Me” time, we have sometimes had Saturday afternoons for that (after shipping orders in the morning), but mostly we like our time to be family time.

What are your kids’ favorite Mommy and Me Activities?

One of my sons is grown. My son with food allergies (age 12) has a passion for Scrabble. So he and I started a Scrabble club at his school. Our favorite activities together are Scrabble related. For example, kind of like a “soccer mom” going from game to game cheering on her child, my husband and I take our son to Scrabble tournaments. We just got back from 5 days in Ohio cheering on our son at the National Scrabble Championship. We also play ping pong, play Wii, play with our dog, and co-create recipes for cookies!

What struggles did you come across in starting your business? Did your family support you?

Starting any new business requires an incredible amount of time, money, and energy. Because allergy safety is so essential to me, I had the additional need to construct and operate my own baking facility. My family has been amazingly supportive in every way. They share my mission of making widely available our delicious, wholesome, inclusive treats.

I am very familiar with organic products as both of my nephews have allergy issues and my brother keeps them on a very strict organic diet. I know it can be a struggle getting kids to eat organically. How do HomeFree cookies taste? What has been the response from kids?

The question surprised me. It has been a very long time since organic products didn’t taste great. Organic simply refers to the practice of having foods grown and processed very naturally, such as without unnatural pesticides, additives, or genetically modified organisms. If anything, some people think organic products taste better than non-natural products, since they are just made from real food. The question I hear more often is how our cookies taste, given that they are 100% whole grain. But the grains we use – oats and barley - taste delicious and have wonderful texture. Every HomeFree cookie contains at least ½ serving of whole grain (the oatmeal cookies almost a whole serving!) out of 3 recommended daily servings. Pretty amazing from a cookie! And, yes, kids LOVE them. (Adults do too.)

Can we buy HomeFree cookies online and get them shipped anywhere in the US?

Yes. At http://www.homefreetreats.com/ people can find not only our cookies (boxed and individually wrapped), but also our hand made coffee cakes, our Allergen Free Baking cookbook, and our allergen-tested baking ingredients. Our cookies are also increasingly available at stores, as well as at schools and other institutions. People can request the cookies too – store buyers and institutions really care about meeting the needs of their customers.

Every little girl thinks her Daddy is King of the World

2009-08-25T11:44:00.005-04:00

We were sent this video by one of our viewers and we just had to share this song with you. While Mommy and Me Days is all about Moms and their daughters, our Dads are very important too.

The other day my 4 year old daughter told my husband that she didn't want to marry someone else when she grew up and live in another house. She always wanted to live at home with us. He told her, "Honey you don't have to worry about that for a long time!" She responded, "Well Daddy, if I am living in another house and married, you can live right outside in a tent and every morning I will come out and say hi and we can play."

Every girl thinks their Daddy is "The King of the World" and this song is a great interpretation of that. It goes along with a Children's book too called "Dance Me, Daddy". Check it out!

Tina Miser is a Mom with The Greatest Job on Earth as a Human Cannonball!

2009-08-21T07:30:00.000-04:00

When I started my search to find working moms with unique or out of the ordinary jobs, a human cannonball did not come to mind! Though many of us as kids talked about running away to join the circus, most of us never followed that dream - but this mom did!

Before running off to join the circus, Tina received a degree from Ball State University and served in the United States Air Force reserves. Her hometown is Peru, Indiana, which coincidentally is also known as the "Circus Capital of the World", because it is where the circus troupes would stay during the winter when they were traveling, in the early 20th century. Every year, Peru stages an amateur circus, put on by local volunteers. After returning from the Air Force reserves, Tina volunteered for the amateur circus in her hometown in 1999. There, she reconnected with Brian Miser, who was also from Peru, Indiana and a member of the Ringling Brothers Circus. He was a trapeze artist, but had also built the cannon that she would eventually be shot out of. He asked her if she would join him in the circus and shoot him out of the cannon, and she couldn't refuse. Little did she know that she would be running off to join the circus with the man who would eventually become her husband!

Tina really wanted to be shot out of the cannon, despite the danger that came with it. So on the 135th Edition of the Ringling Bros., the husband and wife performed a double-cannon act. Later, they asked Ekaterina Borzikova, a gymnast from St. Petersburg Russia, to join their act. Today Tina and Ekaterina, both of whom are moms, are shot out of the cannons simultaneously. Talk about Super-Moms!

It was difficult to make contact with Tina while she is traveling with the circus and in between shows, but we were able to get her to answer a few questions for us:

When you were a little girl, did you ever go to the circus and imagine it becoming your full-time job one day?

I always wanted to run away and join the circus, but I never imagined myself doing something as daring as being shot from a cannon!

You were in the Air Force Reserves prior to joining the circus. Do you think your Air Force training prepared you for the stunts in the circus?

Being a member of the AF Reserve trained me mentally for a lot of things. It taught me discipline and organization, plus many more skills that I rely on. When preparing to be shot from the cannon, there is no room for error. As with many jobs in the military, precision and accuracy is important.

What goes through your mind when you are sitting on the cannon about to be shot out?
I am completely focused on every step of setting myself up for the perfect shot. I have a routine that I follow to mentally and physically prepare myself to be shot from the cannon. I follow those steps every show.

What does your daughter, Skyler think of her mommy being a human cannonball?
I just asked her to answer this question and she said, "I like it. The Human Cannonball is the coolest thing in the circus!"

Your entire family is involved in some way or another. Your husband is the one who shoots you out of the cannon. Your daughter Skyler, who is 5, has grown up in the circus. Does she participate in any acts?
She uses some circus equipment set up inside of the trailer that we tow behind our motor home. She puts on 'shows' daily there! I think she would be a great circus performer. She has great poise and talent already, but we will just wait and see. There is no pressure for her to follow in my footsteps.

I am sure you stay quite busy with the number of shows that you do. Apart from performing and practicing, what kind of activities do you do for “mommy and me time” while traveling?
I am homeschooling her in Kindergarten right now. That is actually quite fun. It was awesome the first time she read a little book to me. Besides school, we try to find a fun tourist activity in every town. She is just 5 1/2 and has been to 40 states.

Human cannonball Tina Miser has been shot out of a cannon almost 2,000 times. Now that's what we call a unique job! Check out http://www.ringling.com/ for more info on the circus and the human cannonball act.

Busy Mom Celine Dion is Expecting!

2009-08-19T12:30:00.003-04:00

Celine Dion is one busy woman, whose life is about to get even busier! Celine and her husband René Angélil announced this week that they were expecting their second child! Its been a long journey for them as it took 6 years for them to conceive their first child. Using the same in vitro treatment by fertility experts in New York, they are excited to be expecting #2 in May 2010.

Check out msnbc.com for more.

Pre-K Prep: Teach your child to read on Mommy and Me Day by making a book together!

2009-08-15T07:41:00.004-04:00

Some people don't believe in teaching kids to read at a young age because they say, let kids be kids. Kids can still be kids and learn. In fact kids at a young age have such a strong desire to learn they pick up things so quickly. Think about it, they are starting their life, and everything is new, they want to learn about everything, so our job as parents (and grandparents) is to teach them. We shouldn't rely on their teachers to teach them everything!

Now yes there are expensive programs out there that you can buy into, one being "Your Baby Can Read" advertised on TV. Its a great program but it is expensive (over $100). But, don't worry, you can teach your kids just as well for nothing, if you put the time and dedication into it.

One thing I will always be grateful to my mom for is teaching me to read. When I was 4 years old my mom started working with me on my reading skills. She made me a book (which I still have till this day). She used a spiral notebook (with Strawberry Shortcake on the front) and wrote in big letters, short sentences about me and my family. Reading one line at a time we would go over the sentences again and again. Eventually I knew what the words are. If I was asked to find a word on the page, I could. Some say, "Well, that's just memorization." And they are right, it is memorization! Sight words are a huge part of learning to read. But as you are memorizing you are also associating letters with sounds. I am a believer because I know it worked for me. I was reading at a second grade level when I was 5, and it was because of my mom.

Here is a project that you can work on with your child or grandchild on your next "Mommy and Me" or "Daddy and Me" or "Grandma and Me" day:

A BOOK ABOUT ME!

What you need: (1) 3-ring binder, paper, 3-hole punch, sheet protectors, marker.
(or you can simply use a .50 cent spiral notebook!)

Write simple sentences about your child and your family. A book about them makes them interested to read it, and makes them feel special. This also makes learning to read fun.

Above are some pictures of our book that my mom has been working on with my 4 year old daughter. And here is a video and proof it really works!

Contest: My Kid Said WHAT? Enter Today its almost over!

2009-08-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Did your kids say something that had you "ROTFL" (Rolling on the floor laughing)? Kids always say the darndest things, don't they? Well, this month we are running a contest, which we're calling: "My Kid Said, WHAT?" Email us at: kayleagrowsup@gmail.com with a cute quote your child said this summer. Please include your name, your child's first name and age, and your city/state. The winner will receive a copy of our children's book "Kaylea Grows Up: Mommy and Me Days" along with a $5 gift card to Starbucks! (Short quotes please no books! haha) You may submit your cute quotes between 12am on August 13 till 11:59pm on August 31st!

Nicole Stott Becomes First Mom to Live on the International Space Station!

2009-08-12T22:35:00.013-04:00

There are some moms that have cool and interesting jobs - and then there is Nicole, a national hero and mommy to a seven-year old son.

I've been hearing about it for the last 7 years, since I first met Astronaut Nicole Stott's sister Noelle when we worked together at a retail store in Tampa Bay. Noelle, also a working mom and personal trainer for ClubFit, would say, "My sister is a rocket scientist." While in the past I may have tried to "one-up" my friends or colleagues, how could I top this? Actually, I thought it was a joke, until she showed me one of her expeditionary trainings called "NEEMO" where her sister Nicole lived underwater for 18 days, being filmed 24/7. Talk about reality TV!

Well, Nicole's long awaited trip to space is finally here! On August 25th Nicole Stott will officially launch into orbit and become the first mom to ever live on the International Space Station otherwise known as the ISS!

It will be an amazing journey, as this is Nicole's first mission to space and a day that she has been waiting for since August, 2000, when she first began her Astronaut training. The mission is called "Expedition 20 and 21". On the 13-day flight, they will deliver science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and a treadmill a.k.a. "Colbert", named after comedian Stephen Colbert (which Nicole intends to try out). Also during this expedition, Nicole will have the opportunity to participate in an "EVA" (and we aren't talking about the robot in the movie WALL-e). An EVA is an Extra-Vehicular Activity, otherwise known as a Spacewalk, to continue the assembly of the space station. Nicole will trade places with astronaut Tim Kopra, who has been on the ISS since July. Nicole will live in space for three months until the STS-129 shuttle mission arrives in November.

Nicole told Isle of Man newspapers that one of the most difficult things about the mission was being away from her family for so long. Luckily, technology has improved and they will be able to communicate from afar. She is looking forward to her first view of space and her first step. Meanwhile her family will be watching, waiting and supporting her with their thoughts and prayers here on earth.

Nicole is living proof that no matter what, you can achieve the most amazing dreams if you stay focused and work hard. Make sure you TIVO the launch to show your kids. You never know, they might decide to become astronauts one day too!

Join Nicole's Ground Support Team and go to www.nicoleinspace.com

Press Release: Florida native to live aboard International Space Station

HGTV's host, Krista Watterworth talks about working from home and gives tips on how to decorate with your kids.

2009-08-10T07:45:00.018-04:00

Krista Watterworth is not your average mom. She is an interior designer, actress, author, HGTV host, and now she is a new mom to her son Griffon who is 1 year old. How does she balance it all? "It's been challenging in more ways than one," Krista says. Krista took time out of her busy schedule to talk to Mommy and Me Days about balancing her job as HGTV's host for Save My Bath and being a full time mommy and wife at the same time. Krista also gives us some great tips on how to spend your next Mommy and Me Day activity, by creating a theme for your kid's room and decorating together.

Being a relatively new mom of Griffon who is 1, has it been hard to balance your busy schedule as an author, television personality and interior designer?

"It's been challenging in more ways than one. We have a wonderful nanny and that really helps, but it also presents a very unique situation. I work from my design studio which is located in our home. It's a loft space so I hear everything and I often run down and play with Griffon, change diapers, feed him or watch Dora. It makes it difficult to get into a flow with work and it takes a little longer for me to get through my to-do list for the day. However, the freedom to work at my own pace and the ability to share some of the day with him makes it all worthwhile."

I saw your design of your son's room on your blog www.roomrecipes.com and notice there is a desk in the room as well. It seems to be a multifunctional room, yet at the same time it is very peaceful with its natural colors. I love the tree going up the wall and the words "grow, love, smile", etc. stenciled on the wall. What was your inspiration for this room? Does this also serve as your "home office".

"You hit upon one of my favorite recipes for design success - use a tranquil and relaxed color scheme when a space is used for many purposes. We lived in a small New York City apartment and, believe it or not, Griffon's nursery was also our home office and guest room. It was quite a design challenge. Every time someone stepped into the space they commented on how peaceful it felt."

On your blog www.roomrecipes.com you mention that kids' rooms don't always have to use the same recipe (pink for girls, blue for boys, etc). What is the most unique children's room you have ever designed?

"Mostly my clients want a clean, fresh look for their children's rooms. The only variable is what style: modern or classic. I think people are a little fearful of going overboard. But I do have a cool room recipe that I'm dying to share. I want to do an art theme with the child's name in graffiti, paint splattered curtains, an easel to inspire the artist within, and a library of kid and adult art books. It's daring but different and funky."

Working from home is many times seen as a huge advantage, and it is. I remember when I first got out of college, I had the fortunate opportunity to work from home. There is nothing like answering calls in your pajamas or working on your laptop from the beach! However, I know it can be difficult to draw the line between work and play time. How do you do it?

"Working on a laptop from the beach sounds amazing! Unfortunately the closest beach for me is Coney Island and even though it's such a cool place it's not what one may call relaxing. I am very disciplined about my schedule. I get up every morning, shower and get dressed as if I'm going to an off-site office. I go to the gym on Wednesdays and Fridays, and when our nanny leaves at 5:00 p.m. my day ends and it's full-on mommy and wifey!"

With your son at the age of one year, many days are probably "mommy and me days" already, but as your son Griffon grows up, and you continue to work, do you plan to institute a "Mommy and Me Day" on a regular basis?

"Since we live in Manhattan and are planning on moving to the suburbs in2010, I want to begin taking Griffon to do some local activities like a Circle Line cruise around the city, museum tours for kids and visiting NYC landmarks. Our first trip was a walk on the new High Line last week (an elevated train line converted into a park). But as you know when they are this little they get antsy, tired and uncomfortable pretty quickly. So we make our outings relatively short. We play and read throughout the day but it's often the business of daily life that keeps us busy like changing diapers, meal times, bottle feedings, and naps. So I love to sit at home with him and dedicate a full hour a day of concentrated reading and playing one on one. At 5:00 p.m. every day I strap him on me in his Ergo Baby Carrier and we go for an hour long walk around the neighborhood. I can't wait to be surrounded by trees and listen to the birds together."

A great "Mommy and Me Day" activity that my daughter and I are planning to do in the near future is to redesign her bedroom. She is 4 years old. Are there any fun and easy design tips that can help young kids participate in decorating their room?

"That's so exciting! I often look to my niece and nephew for inspiration when I'm designing children's spaces. Here's a good start: ask her to draw a picture of something that makes her happy. Then use the picture as inspiration for the design. Your color palette will stem from colors that she is automatically drawn to. If she makes a drawing with many colors than choose three that coordinate. Also if it's a picture of flowers, make it a flower theme. If it's a drawing of a her horseback riding, use that to motivate the room's style. From there create projects together such as stenciling her name on the wall, sewing curtains, beading or bedazzling pillows, wallpapering lamp shades, or painting a mural. Make sure you upload before and after pictures to my Room Recipes blog!"

Be sure to check out Krista's blog www.roomrecipes.com where you can share your videos, photos, and room recipe stories about your home improvement and home decorating projects! Its a great way to find ideas for decorating your own home.

Credit: Krista Watterworth, HGTV Host, Interior Designer and Mommy to Griffon Avery, www.roomrecipes.com

Will Pee Pee for Food: Tips for Potty Training in a Recession

2009-08-07T08:49:00.012-04:00

The Associated Press just released an article that claims that disposable training pants have declined by 3.2 percent over the past year, and that the number of training pants sold is down 10 percent! Supposedly this is in spite of the fact that the number of births has risen!

Parents everywhere are trying hard to potty train their children as fast as they can now that we are in a recession. Diapers are expensive! My daughter is completely potty trained (during the day that is). At night she wears a pull up, but those are getting expensive too! Our next step, quitting the pullups cold turkey. I've heard it can be done, but I've never seen it work in our home yet.

But in the meantime, for those parents looking for some quick tips, here are a few that worked for us:

Be consistent. Ask them if they need to go potty at least 1 time every 30 minutes. Eventually, they will have to go!

Let your kids learn from other kids. When our daughter saw that another girl didn't have a diaper hanging out the back of her jeans, she came home and said, "Mommy I don't like my diaper its for babies. Madison doesn't wear one."

Be patient and meanwhile make it fun! We have sat in the bathroom for up to an hour.... just waiting... and waiting... for something to happen. So, in the meantime, we read books, played games, made up songs and played with bubbles. Bubbles have an amazing calming effect on kids, when they are calm, they will eventually pee. I remember walking into a church nursery one day, and saw a hectic nursery worker and 8 kids crying and screaming. She didn't know what to do. My husband (who is the eldest of 5) immediately grabbed a bottle of bubbles and started blowing. The kids instantly calmed down and started smiling. Needless to say we stayed to help in church that day.
Don't get mad. Inevitably your daughter or son will tell you they have to go pee pee in the most sincere and dramatic fashion. Most likely this will occur while you are shopping in the back of the department store nowhere near the bathrooms. So, you will attempt to beat the world record in running while carrying a toddler and you will just make it in time to hear the words: "I don't have to go now." or worse "Oops, I pee peed" Its ok... the more upset you get, the more upset they will get. Only, they won't understand. Count to ten and remain calm. I've had to clean poop out of pants at public parks before. It stinks (literally) but it will be ok.

Don't force it. Now the saying goes, "when they are ready they will do it". That doesn't mean don't try to get them to potty, but what it does mean is, if they absolutely throw a fit and don't want to try, don't make them. It will make it a negative experience, and it needs to be a positive.

When all else fails.... BRIBE THEM! I know it sounds like I'm joking, but I'm not above bribing my kids. My daughter loves those little ice cream bites called "Dibs". During our potty training months she popped up one day and said, "I'll go pee pee if you give me a Dib!" Kids are smart, don't underestimate them! Bribery works!

Before you go to the bookstore to buy a book, try the library first!

2009-08-06T08:10:00.005-04:00

My husband's favorite activity on "Daddy and Me Day" is taking our 4 year old daughter to the bookstore. She can look at books, he can browse and get a coffee, and they have a great time. In the end, it ends up costing us a coffee, and a book or two. OK, so $30 isn't that much for a fun day with your kids, but if you could have the same fun (or more) and not spend the money, would you do it?

As a kid and even through college I spent so much time in libraries. I remember going to the library after school and on Saturdays. We'd check out books, videos, and simply hang out and study. Granted I love computers and I think the Internet is essential, there is just something about researching the "old-fashioned" way. It reminds me of my first calculator. My mom always told me, "We never had one of those things, we had to do it the old-fashioned way, and that's why we know how to do our math." I hate to say it, but she is right! Math hasn't been the same since the calculator came along, and it was by far my worst subject in school.

This past Saturday my daughter and I spent our Mommy and Me Day in the library. I had forgotten how many things they had there for kids! We hung out and read books in the bean bags and put puzzles together at the little table and chairs. They had coloring pages and videos. It was better than the bookstore! And when it was over we took home 6 books and 4 DVDs for the price of $0!

So many people forget they have a local library! Schools are even getting rid of their libraries!

So next time that you are headed to the bookstore, use your GPS and look for the local library instead!

Amy Baxter, is an Inventor, a Doctor, and a busy Mom. She knows first hand how hard it is to make time for her kids.

2009-08-05T07:43:00.008-04:00

Amy Baxter, inventor of "Buzzy", a unique device to help kids by relieving the pain from taking shots, knows first hand what it is like trying to balance it all. Read her interview below to see how she does it, and what the buzz is about "Buzzy"!

The Baxter Family being Petroglyphs!

What has been your hardest struggle you have had when it comes to balancing your family life with your work life?

Well, I should give a little discussion of the best stuff, too, to balance it out. Best is when we get letters from nurses or kids telling us how much Buzzy helped them, or how great it is, or how a kid who hasn’t gone to the doctor for years due to fear of shots now isn’t afraid. It’s also awesome working with the team of my friends whose children are my kids’ friends, and all of us are helping Buzzy. We’re all moms, and all have really down to earth “let’s make this work” sensibilities, on top of a desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We share some equanimity about if the business doesn’t take off, we’re still doing something meaningful. The worst is having a business at all; I’m still a practicing doctor with a busy research department, and so I don’t have nearly as much time for my family. I haven’t seen a movie with my husband for three years. If Buzzy doesn’t take off and help a lot of people, and allow me to have a bit more free time when the kids are teenagers, I’ve sacrificed a few years of time with my children that I can’t get back. The very hardest is working from home when I don’t have a sitter but expected one. I’m edgy about the goals for the day I need to get done, irritable because the kids want time with me and I’ve got STUFF TO DO, and sad because even when I try to be in the moment and enjoy the time with them I can’t put myself in that mental frame.

You are obviously very busy. How do you find time to balance your crazy schedule and spending time with your kids? Do you have a set “Mommy and Me Day”.

I've had varying degrees of success instituting Mommy and Me since I'm a practicing pediatric emergency doctor as well as entrepreneur/researcher, my schedule is hard to tame. Nonetheless, they've each gotten a few Mommy Dates. It's all about making the memories. I'm REALLY going to try to give each one a mommy date every week, so it will be roughly every third week that they get one. Max is 11, Miles 9, Jill 7.

What are your kids’ favorite Mommy and Me Activities?

Hmm. Short attention spans here: I just asked Jill, who said sitting under the stars watching meteors and swimming. We did those things together yesterday morning! The boys say “vacations”, but Max likes playing catch and Miles likes being read to. Max and Miles like going to rock concerts with us (e.g. Reel Big Fish, English Beat) and Jill likes gardening with me. Our most favorite family activity is letterboxing right now.

What inspired you to go from Pediatric Emergency doctor to Mom Entrepreneur?

Hmm, first let me stipulate I intend to keep practicing at least one day a week. With emergency, that one day is often a weekend. I’m not changing, just adding bigger and bigger Venn diagram circles encompassing my life!

I was doing needle pain research throughout my pregnancies, and when the kids got old enough to remember I brought creams or distraction toys to lessen the impact of the shots. Consequently, they were all really good shot takers until one nurse told my oldest out of nowhere “You are going to sit still or this is really going to hurt and we will have to hold you down.” He did great for the shots but then threw up afterwards and had been needlephobic ever since. I was so mad at the system and myself for not being able to protect him that I wanted to come up with something that worked instantly that parents could bring and use even if the healthcare system wasn’t interested.

How did you come up with the idea for Buzzy?

I knew that the body could stop pain naturally using something called the “gate theory”. If you bang your knee and rub it the pain stops, if you smash your finger and shake it, it helps the pain, or if you burn your finger and stick it under cold running water it quits hurting. I thought of cuffs of cold water, and all sorts of messy stuff. I got the idea in the car driving home from the hospital one day that vibration would work, but it wasn’t until my husband suggested frozen peas UNDER the vibration that it really made my kids’ hands numb to sharp pokes. Once I figured out that cold and vibration together near the sharp pain worked, I tried to get a pharmaceutical company interested in the idea for a few years, with no luck. Finally my husband and I agreed to sink the home equity line into the idea and start our own business. I also invented cards called “Flippits!” that you can pull out and distract during procedures. They have counting and finding tasks which are proven to decrease pain, and they can even fit in a slot on Buzzy’s tummy to block the view of the procedure if the sight of the sharp needle is the problem.

Throughout the design process of Buzzy4Shots did you ever get “cold feet” as one would say and stop and think, “Am I crazy for doing this?”

I’ve been ready to quit about 4 times, preceded by two or three days of shadowy lurking anxiety that is VERY atypical for me. When I am finally able to tack the dread to a specific business decision, it has resolved. There was a moment a few years ago where I visualized the trajectory of Buzzy clearly, and I haven’t worried so much since then. It helps that my husband and I both like working, so we aren’t hung up on a given retirement date. The fact that our 401K’s plummeted has actually relieved some stress, as we figure the money we put into the business instead of retirement was well-invested. The difficult decision is how to determine a “hard stop”, as in “Ok, this isn’t coming out as well as we thought and it’s sucking us dry. If we haven’t achieved X by X then we just quit and give the inventory away at a garage sale.” We’re getting some success now, so that discussion hasn’t been as necessary.

I’ve had many “big ideas” throughout my life. Some have worked others didn’t. Luckily my family has been supportive through most of them! How did your family support you in your “big idea”?

My husband relieved one of my anxious periods by saying, “If you didn’t do this you’d always be consumed by regret not knowing.” Another time he said, “OK, what did you project as a break even? Do you think there are that many children out there who will be helped by Buzzy? You can just stop then and have made the world a little better.” Or something to that effect. At any rate, he’s right. People always talk about the opportunity cost of one activity versus another, but no one talks about opportunity profit. Knowing how the idea panned out is an opportunity profit, and very satisfying.

How do your kids support you?

My kids support me by bragging to their friends about how they don’t mind getting shots, and by being interested in a variety of ways in the business. Over the past 5 years my children helped test, build, and prototype Buzzy until we had a device that worked. They smashed cell phones, helped me use electric tape and elastic bands, and have served as my first and best advisors. We started with a hand held massager and frozen peas, and finally got to a cute bee with frozen wings. At one point I contemplated having Buzzy be a shivering polar bear (Stephen Cold Bear!) but my son Miles stopped me. “Mom. He’s a bee. He’s always been a bee. All your files have “Buzzy” on them. He has to stay a bee.”

The kids alternately get frustrated and are proud of the Buzzy work, and they're REALLY proud when friends use it for their shots. One likes to help with design details, one likes to put together the distraction cards and inventory, one just likes to be on video and do demos on electronic equipment.

So tell me about Buzzy4Shots. How does it work?

Buzzy combines cold and vibration to block sharp pain transmission, just as putting a burned hand under water makes it better. The ice pack is either brought in a Cold-to-Go bag or sandwiched between two freezer packs (I used the ones from the Medela pump) or taken the freezer at the doctor’s if they have a Buzzy. When the nurse is ready for the shots, the freezer pack is slipped into an elastic band behind buzzy, then the vibrator is switched on and the ice and vibration are applied together “above” the site of the shot. When the shot is not on an arm or leg, put Buzzy between where the nerves come out of the spinal cord and where the shot is: lateral to the shot for the stomach, closer to the spine than the shot on a diagonal for the buttocks. Leave Buzzy on for at least 15 seconds, up to a minute or so for extra numbing. Buzzy stays ON during the poke to keep disrupting the nerve transmissions.

Thank you Amy for taking time to interview with MommyandMeDays.com. To learn more about Buzzy visit her website www.buzzy4shots.com

Working mom Joanna Dolgoff, M.D. helps kids fight obesity, and manages to find time for a Mommy and Me Day

2009-08-01T19:56:00.000-04:00

I was shocked when I began taking my daughter to play dates and parties only to discover that my daughter was the only child at these events that was not drinking soda. My daughter has never tried a soft drink and doesn't have the desire to. She drinks water all day and a glass or two of milk a day. Juice is a treat! Some people might say we are lucky to have a picky eater, and when it comes to soda, maybe that is true. But, when it comes to eating vegetables that is not the case.

Knowing how many toddlers are drinking Coca Cola, eating chicken nuggets and munching on chocolate, it shouldn't have surprised me when I heard the statistic that 1 out of every 3 kids is now overweight or obese and at risk of medical illness due to weight. What are we doing wrong? What can we do better? Joanna Dolgoff, M.D. seems to have the answer and is using Twitter and Facebook to get the message out to kids.

What inspired you to stop what you were doing and focus your career on helping kids with childhood obesity?

As a pediatrician, it was very frustrating to see the increasing number of overweight and obese children and to be unable to help. A pediatrician has about 5 to 7 minutes to see each patient and cover every aspect of his/her health and wellness. There is clearly not enough time for the necessary nutrition counseling. I also realized that there are very few pediatric obesity specialists in this country. Everybody is always talking about the childhood obesity problem yet it seems that nobody is doing anything to cure it. I felt like somebody had to do something! I felt a responsibility to my patients and all the overweight children in the country.

I have always been interested in nutrition and fitness. In fact, I was an aerobics instructor during college and medical school. It has been a joy to be doing something I love and helping so many kids in the process.

Being a working mom with a stable job, some might think you were crazy to quit to open up your own practice in this kind of economy! Has it been a success? Were there down times or moments you thought you were crazy yourself?

There are definitely times when I second guess my decision. At first it was easy because my husband, a commercial real estate broker in NYC, was doing very well. But the commercial real estate industry, along with all industries, has suffered as of late. Money is definitely stressful. But, although it sounds corny, some things are more important than money. I have children and parents thanking me every day. These families have nobody else to turn to! There is nothing more valuable than that. So I no longer get manicures and pedicures… but I am doing something very important. And, as my mother always says, when you do something you love, the money will follow. I am making an investment in my future and I believe it will pay off in the end!

Teaching kids to be healthy and fit is what you do for a living. How do you instill the same ideas in your own kids?

I am always worried that I will go overboard with my own children. I spend my days with children who are suffering medical problems due to their weight. Yet I know that everything in moderation is okay. I don’t deny my patients all treats and the same goes for my kids. They definitely know that some foods are healthy (green light foods) and some foods are not healthy (red light foods). After eating a certain amount of junk, my kids are cut off. After 8 pm they are only allowed healthy snacks, like fruit and yogurt. Sometimes it is hard because my kids aren’t allowed to eat junk as often as their friends. But I think I am teaching them an important lesson. All foods are okay from time to time but not every single day.

I know my daughter listens to her teachers sometimes better than she listens to me. Do you find it is harder to coach your own kids about healthy eating and exercise than it is to coach someone else’s children?

No. It is easier because I have brought my kids up to be healthy from the very beginning. They don’t know any differently so I don’t have to reverse bad habits. My kids have seen me enjoying exercise since they were born. They know that I look forward to my gym time. So they look at exercise as a treat, not a chore. In fact, they beg me to come running with me! They have also seen me enjoying healthy foods from the beginning. I have made it a point to wax poetic about fruits and vegetables so they think they are foods to be enjoyed and savored, not forced to eat. Of course, there is grumbling from time to time. But they have never been allowed to eat chocolate all day long so they don’t expect it.

A funny story: Last year, I was on WABC Eyewitness News as a child obesity expert. I was talking about the top Parenting Mistakes concerning child nutrition. In the segment, I warned against what I call “The Chicken Nugget Diet”, explaining that chicken nuggets are not healthy. It was my first live segment and my kids loved watching me. That night, we went out to celebrate. We love to eat at Friendly’s but only go about two or three times a year. So we decided to indulge that night! I told my kids they could order anything off the menu. My five-year old son’s eyes widened. “Anything?” he asked.”Even chicken nuggets?” He usually is not allowed to order chicken nuggets. “Sure,” I said. He looked at me quizzically. “But Mommy, didn’t you say on TV today that chicken nuggets aren’t healthy? So why are you letting me eat them?” I laughed. I explained that it is not healthy to eat chicken nuggets every day but it is okay to eat them every once in a while!

What has been your hardest struggle when it comes to balancing your family life with your work life?

The biggest problem is timing. When kids are sick, they miss school to go to the pediatrician’s office. I used to work 8-5. But my patients see me every week and obviously can’t miss school every week. So everybody wants to come in after school and evenings- the exact time that I would like to be home with my own kids. And I have every morning to myself- but my kids are in school. I am constantly juggling! On Mondays, I see patients until 4 pm and then start again at 6 pm so I can take my son to his baseball class and my daughter to ballet (I alternate weeks). My kids eat dinner late so I can eat with them or they eat an early dinner and then sit with me eating a (healthy) dessert while I eat dinner. I am not around to make playdates with other moms so I rely on my wonderful Nanny to do that for me. It is a difficult balancing act.

You are obviously a very busy woman. How do you find time to balance your crazy schedule and spending time with your kids? Do you have a set “Mommy and Me Day” - and if so, what is your favorite activity you do with your kids?

I refuse to work on Wednesdays. Wednesday is my day with my kids. I love to take them to the park and the pool when the weather permits. During the winter, I take them to their after-school activities and watch them play. The other moms, who are around a lot more often than I am, use that time to chat with each other. But my eyes are glued to my kids. I value that time more than anything! Wednesday nights, we all have dinner together and I try to make it fun. Sometimes we have a picnic, other times we go out to eat. And then we play in the bath together, making up silly songs about how much we love each other. It is very special time to us all!

With over 96% success, her stories are amazing. You can find Dr. Dolgoff online most anywhere. She is very active on Twitter and Facebook.

I have 5,221 followers on Twitter, 773 Facebook Friends, and 553 Facebook followers. I have used Twitter and Facebook extensively to grow my business. I run a Twitter party called #kidsweigh every Tuesday at 1 pm. There is a different topic each week, related to child weight loss and nutrition. I recently sponsored a Facebook contest where I gave away a Wii Fit to a fan who posted often on my Facebook page. I also write a blog (http://www.DrWeigh.com/blog) which gets about 900 hits each day.

Check out her website, blog and be sure to watch her success stories on YouTube:

Website: http://www.drweigh.com/
Blog: http://www.DrWeigh.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DrDolgoffsWeigh
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JoannaDolgoffMD
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/jodoug

Working Moms get lots of hugs too!

2009-07-23T07:41:00.004-04:00

According to a report by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, babies with moms who work outside of the home get the same number of hugs as babies with stay at home moms! (Here is a link to an article about it in the NY Times)

This is good news! Working moms get a bad rap many times. Believe me, as a working mom I know the guilt we feel from being away from our kids during the day. I am fortunate to have a very supportive mother who is willing to help watch my daughter during the day when I have to go to work. But, it still hurts knowing that while I've been at work I've missed out on some of her firsts. I've missed some of those cute little moments that she has shared with my mom or dad or my husband, but not myself. But my daughter hasn't missed out. She has been held, hugged and loved all day, and thats what matters.

Everything we are missing goes through our minds as working moms, and fills us with guilt. Maybe thats why when we get home, we try hard to give 100% attention to our families. After work working moms probably go overboard trying to catch up on hugs from being gone all day, while stay-at-home moms are worn out by the time night time rolls around and just begging for "me-time".

So, to sum it all up, there are enough hugs to go around! Repeat after me, "It's OK to work!"

How Dog Training Relates to Raising Your Kids

2009-07-12T09:28:00.005-04:00

So for the last 8 weeks we have spent 1 hour on Mommy and Me Days taking our little Chihuahua Chloe to Dog Training at Pet Smart. A great program might I add by the way! I have to say there is so much you can learn from dog training classes that not only helps you with your dog but betters you as a person overall.... (ok stop laughing!)

1.) It helps your kids understand why you get so frustrated when you they don't do what you tell them to do. Case in point:

My 4 year old daughter will try to get Chloe to sit. She holds the treat in her hand, does the hand signal and is waiting with the clicker ready to reward her. Problem is, Chloe won't sit. "Mommy why won't Chloe sit? I keep telling her to and I'm using my hand! Mommy Chloe won't listen to me!!!!"

Thinking in my head, "FINALLY! Finally you understand how Mommy and Daddy feel when you won't listen!"

Did it work miracles and have my daughter suddenly start listening? No, but it gave me relief that she knew how it felt when she wasn't being listened to! :-)

2.) Focus on the Positive:

You know you've done it.... almost everyone has, your dog pees on the floor and you quickly take them over to it, rub their nose, scold them and put them in them back in their crate etc. For starters dogs don't understand English, Spanish or Scandinavian, so it doesn't really matter what you say to them, they don't "get it". We learned that when they do negative behavior we can tell them no, but we need to immediately show them the right thing to do. But most importantly we need to reward them when they are being good.... focus on the positive!

I learned this lesson during my daughter's 1st year in Preschool when she was in the 2's and 3's class. It seemed like every day it was a negative report. She either played rough, or she bit a kid, or she was acting up or.... on and on and on. Seriously could my kid be that bad?! The more negative things we heard, the more negative we were on her. Finally the director of the preschool said, we are going to try things a little different. When you pick her up, the teacher is not going to give you a status report that day, this way we leave on a positive note. The school year was almost over at that point but it did seem to help. The next year we didn't ask how she did that day (every day). We picked her up on a positive note every day. And you know what.... the more positive we were the more positive she was. It's easy for us parents to focus on the negative, but it may only bring out more negative in your child. Try focusing on the positive, and you will be surprised how quickly your child turns around! Ours did!

3.) Its more about your "actions and reactions" than their "actions":

Now we put in the absolute minimal amount of time that we had to in training our dog. Call us lazy, but hey my husband and I both work full time, and after coming home from work, cooking dinner, spending a little time with your kid(s), giving them baths, doing their nighttime routine to get ready for bed, etc... does anyone feel like spending the little bit of extra time you have training the dog? After all there are still dishes to be washed and clothes to fold. So we did the minimal... so how then did Chloe end up the Valedictorian? We simply followed directions.

The other doggy parents attended the same class we did, but for some reason when it came time for testing, they didn't use the hand signals they didn't say the right commands, and some forgot their treats! Is it the dogs fault that it didn't pass the test when the trainer isn't showing them what to do or saying the right command? No.

In the same respect, we can't expect our kids to act perfectly if we don't show them the correct way to act in the first place. They learn by watching what we do, and by listening to what we tell them. If we aren't disciplining them in a positive yet firm manner, will they know what to do right? If we are telling them not to yell and yet we are yelling at them to tell them not to yell... what good does it do? Its ok... we've all been there, I know I've lost my patience and yelled. Afterwards I realize, wow I'm acting just as much like a child as she is! Remember it's more about our actions and reactions to what they do, than it is about theirs. Their little eyes are watching us. Let's show them the right things to do!

Locks of Love

2009-07-10T07:13:00.001-04:00

Going to the hair salon can be a fun Mommy Daughter experience. I still on a rare occassion go to get my nails done with my mom. I didn't know how well my daughter would do at a hair salon, and was kind of nervous about it. She doesn't like the dreaded cup of water rinsing her hair in the bathtub, but maybe a salon would be different. It was. I think its because when a girl goes to a hair salon and gets pampered they always feel like a princess.... that and there is no dreaded cup of water being poured over their head. Instead they can lay back in a salon chair and have someone wash their hair with warm water and have it never get into their eyes!

Getting her hair washed and cut by the best hair stylist in Kentucky - Julie Singletary at Hair and Beyond

But why not make the trip to the salon even more rewarding? When I heard about Locks of Love I wished I'd known about it, or that it had been around when I was in highschool. Prior to getting diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) my hair was much much thicker. And when I was younger I remember it growing out almost to my waist. I definitely don't have that much hair now as it has been thinning out since about the age of 18. My pony tail which was once a 2-3 inches in diameter is now about half an inch! So I understand what it is like to lose your hair.

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. They help children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics (a.k.a. wigs). Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The wigs they are able to make help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence.

My daughter has the fortunate ability to grow beautiful long locks of hair. (She gets that from her daddy who also has good hair!) Since it is summertime and getting quite hot where we live, her long hair ends up in a hot, sweaty, tangly mess every day. So I talked to her about getting her hair cut shorter and told her about locks of love. I explained to her that there are kids out there who aren't as fortunate as she is and they don't have the ability to grow hair like she does, and that this is a way she can help another little kid. She was hesitant at first... she is quite the diva for 4 years old! But she agreed and so we did it!

Before the Haircut

After the Haircut

To donate your hair for a wig they require your hair to be 10 inches long from tip to tip. However they can use hair that is shorter as well to sell and help offset the costs for making the wigs. For more information about donating your hair to a child in need, visit http://www.locksoflove.org/.

Locks of Love is not the only organization in that you can donate hair to. Pantene Beautiful Lengths creates wigs for Adult Women who are battling cancer. They are distributed for free through select American Cancer Society wig banks across the country. Hair requirements for Beautiful Lengths is only 8 inches. Women facing cancer can find out about the availability of a Pantene Beautiful Lengths wig by calling the American Cancer Society at 1-877-227-1596.

If you've got hair to give then let it grow!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

2009-07-08T20:35:00.001-04:00

Here are some of my favorite quotes from my daughter over the last 4 years. Its amazing the things kids will say! What are some of your favorite quotes from your kids?

Kaylea: "Daddy, what kind of truck is that?"
Dad: "It's a bucket truck. It lifts people up high in the sky."
Kaylea: "Oh it lifts them up so they can be closer to God!"

"Daddy knows alot about food and trucks."

Preschool Teacher: "Bye Eric"
Kaylea: "His name is actually "Da-Deee!"

"Gada calls me a peanut but I'm not really a Peanut. I'm a Kaylea."

"Mommy does God like lightening?" (She thinks he must because we've had so many thunderstorms.)

Kaylea was driving in the car with us this weekend and said, "Mommy, look at your hair. Its Black.... (she hesitated)... and Gray! Yeah your hair is Gray just like Gada's!"

"Do you think God goes poop?"

Kaylea was sitting on the potty trying to go pee pee again. She tried for a really long time and then said, "Mimi, I think the pee pee is playin' hide an seek or somethin'?"

Kaylea said, "Daddy do you love me?"Daddy said, "Of course I love you! Do you love me?"Kaylea said, "Yes! But, I wanna know if you love me backwards?"

"Jesus has really big muscles because da song says, 'we are weak and he is strong' "

"Daddy, do you think I just jumped out of mommy's belly and started playing with toys?"

My favorite is an email I received from my mom. She watches Kaylea during the day and will share some funny moments with me via email. Here was the email:

"ROFLMAO - She just had one side of her diaper (pull-up) opened up and was trying to put water (from her sippy cup) in it. I asked her what she was doing. Her response: "I'm waterin' my butt so it can grow bigger - and bigger - and BIGGER - like my Mommy and Daddy!""

What are some of the funniest things your children have said that just had you rolling on the floor?

Make Up Games to Play!

2009-06-13T19:28:00.001-04:00

First I have to apologize for not having posted a Mommy and Me Day idea in quite some time! Thats what happens when you are a working mom... you get busy! But I'm back so I will try to post a minimum of once a week again! :-)

Sometimes it feels we've done just about every activity there is to do on Mommy and Me Days. But lucky for us our kids have incredible imaginations. Its always fun to make up your own games. Whether its a different take on Basketball (like the video below) or your own version of Wheel of Fortune to help kids with their spelling, there are many games you can make with items you have at your house. Just be creative!

What are some games you have created before? Here is a cute video of a game my 4 year old daughter made up spontaneously one day. And below this are some more ideas for homemade games!

Some cool games to make with your kids (who needs to buy them?!)

CHECKERS:
Make your own checkers set with a piece of carboard from a box, and red and black markers. Then use construction paper or if you prefer cardboard to cut out circles for the game pieces. It will be fun to create the game together and even funner to play!

BINGO:
Bingo cards are easy to make with some white card stock paper. Make 5 columns and 5 rows just like a regular bingo card. For older kids you can use numbers, like normal Bingo cards, but for younger kids and preschoolers try using colors. Pick 5 colored markers and randomly color each square a different color.

Make the bingo balls out of paper (you can cut them into squares like little notes). Each paper needs to reflect every letter with every color. Ex. - B-Red, B-Blue, B-Green, B-Yellow, B-Orange, and then I-Red, I-Blue, etc.

Once those are made, throw them all into a hat and when you play you will randomly select one at a time out of the hat (or basket or bag).

What are some games that you have made with your kids?

Kaylea Grows Up: Mommy and Me Days is published and available for sale!

2009-04-13T17:42:00.005-04:00

Today is an exciting day because my book has been published and is now available for sale. Check out "Kaylea Grows Up: Mommy and Me Days", available for purchase at http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=59011!

Paint Yourselves Silly!

2009-04-07T18:42:00.004-04:00

Kids love being creative and painting is one of those things that allows them to be messy and creative and have fun all at the same time. Sometimes as adults we forget how to be creative and silly. Our children love seeing our silly side. So while it may be easier to set them up at an easel and let them paint their heart out, your children will remember it much more if you paint with them! Make your own silly creations together. The more silly and creative you can be with your paintings the more your kids will want to be the same.

When you paint together with your kids it helps do many things:

It alleviates fear of painting and messing up.
It shows them that everyone paints differently.
It allows both your creativity and your child's to grow.
It builds self confidence and gives them a sense of accomplishment.

Many times I will ask my daughter to draw me a picture of something, but she usually asks me to draw one instead. She'll say, "No Mommy, you draw it!" It isn't because she doesn't want to draw, but rather she is afraid she can't do it, or that she doesn't know how, or that she will mess up. So, she asks me to draw it for her. When this happens it is an incredible opportunity to show your kids that everyone makes mistakes, and nobody draws perfectly. When I color, I still can't get in all the lines (even when I'm trying!) When I start drawing, she almost always wants to start drawing with me, and eventually has the self-confidence to do her own drawings independently.

There are many projects we can do with our kids on Mommy and Me Days that help build their self-confidence, teach them to be creative, and most importantly help us bond with our kids. So this week, I challenge you to put on some old t-shirts, get out the paint brushes, and have some fun!

Important Mommy Tip: Don't Stress About The Mess!

Kids are messy by nature. Messes can always be cleaned up. Allow them to have fun and be creative without over-stressing about cleaning everything up during the fun.... because ultimately it won't be so fun if you do!

Cooking with Mommy or Mimi!

2009-03-22T09:54:00.012-04:00

My 4 year old daughter gets to spend a lot of time with her "Mimi" (a.k.a. - a way to say "Grandma" that doesn't sound so old according to my mom!). One of her favorite things to do with Mimi is to help her cook (treats of course!) On our Mommy and Me Days we also like to cook.

Cooking together is a fun bonding experience that also teaches your children positive habits.

Following Directions: Kids learn the importance of following directions by using a recipe. It can also teach them what happens when you mess the recipe up and it tastes bad!

Using Creativity: Cooking can help kids learn to be creative. Especially if they are making cookies or using icing to decorate. Its good to let your kids be creative. Don't worry about the mess they will make or the icing they get on their clothes. They are kids... let them be creative and make a mess! Some of the best geniuses in the world were the messiest! They can always clean up later. (They can always wear an old t-shirt of yours that you don't mind getting dirty or an apron!)

Cleaning Up: After you cook, make sure you and your kids clean up the mess together. It teaches them to clean up after themselves and helps build a "responsible" character in them. Cleaning can be fun if everyone joins in to help!

Self-Esteem: Your kids will take pride in something they've made, and they should! They should feel proud that they made those brownies or helped decorate that cake. It can really help build up their self esteem and feel accomplished!

Have Fun: Most importantly, cooking is a great way to have fun as a family! And enjoying your Lemon Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies is definitely fun!

Here is an easy recipe for Lemon Ice-Box Pie that has been in my family for years. My daughter made this recently with her "Mimi" and had a blast!

Lemon Ice Box Pie:

Beat together: 1 can Eagle Brand Milk and the juice of three (3) lemons.

Pour into a pie crust made by just crushing graham crackers or vanilla wafers. (You can use a pre-made graham craker crust if you want super-easy)

Top with whipped cream (or Cool Whip if you want super easy).

To make it more attractive, arrange vanilla wafers all around the pie.

Sometime Life Gets in The Way

2009-03-13T12:12:00.015-04:00

A friend of ours was supposed to meet us one day, but couldn't make it. They said, "Sorry I couldn't make it, sometimes Life gets in the way." I don't know if truer words can be spoken when it comes to Motherhood.

There are days when all I want to do is have a fun day with my daughter, but being a working mom I'm lucky to get the two days off on the weekend to accomplish what many get accomplished in a week! With both myself and my husband working full time our house gets completely neglected during the week. With dishes to wash and laundry to clean, dry, fold and put away, there is no time for fun! Well, of course there is!

If you've got a day of errands to run and dishes to wash, you can still make it a Mommy and Me day that is fun. This week for instance, I had so many things to get done there was no time for the "typical" Mommy and Me Day. I always feel like my daughter needs to be entertained or that we should do something fun. But my daughter has fun just being by my side, no matter what we are doing. So make your everyday errands a fun time together.

If you are doing dishes, let them help you wash them or dry them. If they aren't old enough to do that, let them be the soap squeezer!
At the grocery store they can be the list holder. It makes them feel like they are an important part of the grocery store trip. They can help you by putting the groceries in the cart, or play I-Spy to help them find the box of crackers you want to put in the cart. (We always pick out the carts that look like cars too!) Believe it or not grocery stores can be fun!
When we have to go to Sam's Club or Home Depot we always test the yard furniture out and pretend we are basking in the sun or grilling out burgers on the grills. A little imagination goes along way!

Laundry is an endless project at my house. My daughter just enjoys being the Hanger Lady. I request the type of Hanger I need and pay her for it. Then she gives me the hanger so I can hang up the clothes. It makes doing laundry a fun game instead of a chore.

What kind of everyday chores do you turn into a fun game? And how? Share with us your fun games when "life gets in the way"!

Finding Beauty in Nature!

2009-03-11T12:32:00.011-04:00

As we get older the hustle and bustle of life sometimes makes us forget to appreciate the little things. There is so much we can learn from our children when we take a day to spend time with them. One of my 4 year old daughter's favorite Mommy and Me Days is when we go bird watching. While this may be easier to do from the sunny shores here in Florida, there are still plenty of other things to discover in nature no matter where you live.

On our bird watching adventures we take binoculars and head out to the causeway and just sit on a bench and talk about the birds, the ocean, and the boats going by. If we are lucky we can sometimes catch a family of dolphins swimming around. But its amazing the little things my daughter will point out. For instance, she will notice the tiniest flower sprouting out of the ground, or a tiny snail sitting on the grass after the morning dew settles. She is totally amazed by it too. She wants to just sit and observe it and then think about what the snail might do that day and if they have a family and if they go to school and on and on. The world is a beautiful and amazing place and we seldom stop to look around and notice the beauty in the little things.

Take your kids for a nature walk. Even if you only walk around your back yard, you will be amazed at what your kids will find. It gets you and your kids active both physically and mentally.

Create a nature journal! On your nature hikes around the yard with your kids, take pictures of the things they encounter: trees, birds, butterflies, leaves, snails, a piece of tree bark, flowers, everything! They will love putting together this nature journal with you and it will help them create a memory of your fun time together.

Ice Cream Memories

2009-03-06T17:26:00.006-05:00

Everyone has a favorite ice cream memory. One of my husband's favorite memories of his grandparents is driving with them on a Sunday afternoon. I remember sitting next to my mom in the car after she picked me up from school and at the same exact moment we said, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" And with mischievous grins on our faces we both said, "Baskin Robbins!" It was a magic moment that I've never forgotten. There is just something about ice cream that can bring two people together to bond!

But doesn't ice cream ever get boring? I don't think so! Here are some ideas to have some fun on Mommy and Me Day with ice cream:

Go to your favorite ice cream shop and split a sundae!

Stay home and do ice cream art. Design your own sundaes or create ice cream snowmen. You can even use food coloring to make ice cream in different colors! You can take pictures of them afterwards and then the best part is you can eat them!

Get an old ice cream maker and show your kids how ice cream was made in the old days

Skip going to Marble Slab and make your own creations at home! Break out the sprinkles, cookies or better yet bake brownies to crumble up in your ice cream.

There are so many cool ways to enjoy ice cream. Do have a favorite ice cream memory with your Mom or Grandma? Does your family have an ice cream tradition? Share your ice cream story!

Can we play in my room?

2009-03-04T13:05:00.006-05:00

Sometimes as working moms we always want to do something fun and exciting like go to the zoo or a theme park or pretty much things that cost money. But, if you put yourself in your kid's shoes, they really just want your attention. Last week I'd planned to take my daughter to a movie. When I asked her about going to the movie she simply asked, "Mommy can we just stay home and play in my room today?"

How often do we actually spend time playing with our kids in their room? Their room, while it may seem messy to us, is actually a safe haven for them. It is a place of imagination and fun. Babysitters many times play with kids in their room, so why don't we as moms? We usually let them play in their room by themselves or with friends, or play in the living room, but why not their room and with us? I know I like to get out of the house so I can get away from thinking about what I have to clean or what chores need to be done. But Mommy and Me Day isn't about me, its about my daughter. (Something I constantly have to remind myself!)

So, I challenge you to not spend any money this week. Instead stay home, turn the TV off, and play with your child in their own room. Build a tent, play candyland, decorate with stickers or play dress-up. There are so many fun things you can do, and when your done you can play clean-up! Your child will appreciate that special one-on-one time you spend with them. No TVs or movies or video games to distract. Focus on having fun with your kids, and for once step out of your comfort zone and pretend to be a kid yourself! You may just begin to realize how much you miss being a kid!

Spend 1 day a week having fun with your kids!

2009-03-03T19:08:00.005-05:00

Every working mom knows that it is a struggle trying to balance your work life with your family life. If you think it’s hard on you, just think about how hard it is on your children! Luckily kids are tough, but sometimes they just need their Mommy. That is why it is important to dedicate one day a week to your child for an afternoon of one-on-one, uninterrupted Mommy and Me time spent having fun! Kids see your stressed out and serious side all week long. Take a day to get to know your children and have fun together! It will not only help them deal with their time away from you during the day, but it will create special memories for both of you to remember the rest of your lives.

On this blog learn and discuss a variety of ideas for Mommy and Me Days that you can plan with your kids!