Election Fever

This is the first election that my kids have really been interested in. My two older ones are the perfect ages to learn about the government of our country, and this exceptional presidential campaign has been an amazing experience for all of us. The schools held an election ranging from 4Th through 8Th grades. Each homeroom acted as a state so that they could understand the process of electoral votes. The kids were allowed to voice their opinions on the candidates, rally , hold campaign signs and vote. What amazed me was the fairness and dignity they seemed to exhibit throughout the day. They respected each others opinions and seemed to respect the entire process better than most adults I know. Some of them voiced the opinions of their parents, while others were proud to be making their own choices. My own children came home excited and eager to see the outcome of the "real" election. They became engaged in what I'm sure will be an important part of our history. Even our youngest looked up at dinner to announced her choice for president, "McBama"!

Testing the Waters

My youngest daughter has always been the most easygoing of my three kids. I've never been quite sure if it was her nature or if she just knew she had to be that way to keep up with her older siblings. She never really had much of a schedule. She napped on the way to soccer, nursed in the car outside hockey rinks and constantly had her little world interrupted by her brother and sister's friends coming in and out of the house. Yet she never complained, made demands or even seemed the slightest bit bothered by the chaos around her. I was beginning to believe that I had the perfect child. Slowly, as she approached five, it all began to change. I noticed little things at first, like she began asking for everything that she saw on TV or in a store, "I want that toy!", "buy me that doll!" Then she stopped wanting to take showers or brush her teeth. Soon she began blackmailing me, " If you get me more cake I won't scream!" or "I'll put my toys away after I have a play date!" In five years she had never had a time out and now she was spending more time in trouble than not. As maddening and frustrating as it had become, I was thrilled! My peaceful and beautiful well behaved little angel had been stressing me out. How can a child go through life perfect? How can they never be disappointed as a child and survive as an adult? Kids need to test themselves and others, face consequences and meet with adversity. It's hard to see your kids unhappy, picked on or not get what they want. But without having some degree of unhappiness in childhood, our kids won't develop their most important quality as an adult, character. Do your best to keep your kids safe and keep them healthy, but let them feel a little unhappiness once in a while. Let them want things that they can't have. Let them know that they are not perfect. It may seem like they hate you for it now, but they will truly appreciate it later.

Freaky Friday

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. I love the spookiness and mischief of that night at any age. The cold air and dark sky, everyone running in the streets dressed up. My five year old can't wait to put on her Hannah Montana costume, putting her hands in that "yucky pumpkin mush", and filling her bag with as much candy as humanly possible. My ten year old is planning her night with the girls. Organizing her friends, what streets the will hit and who will sleepover. I'm not sure what my thirteen year old is planning, but I'll bet it has to do with a role of toilet paper and a can of shaving cream... that's the one I'll be keeping an eye on. Last year one of his friends decided that he was going to egg something. He bragged to all of his friends and they quickly jumped at the chance to join in the fun. They spent most of the evening arguing over what they would throw the eggs at, a passing car, other kids, the school. A few of them wimped out pretty early on while others got annoyed fighting over what the plan would be. The boy finally lost his "gang" and ended up only having the courage to egg his own house, alone! His mother was home at the time so he spent the next day cleaning the mess. A Halloween he will never forget.

From babies dressed as pumpkins to dads carrying princesses on their shoulders, it's a great night to forget about the real world and enter into the imagination of children who still believe they can be whatever they want to be. Be safe, have fun, and enjoy the night!

A Mom's Thought on the Bailout

I've never been a very political person. I vote in the major elections and sometimes like a good social debate with a friend. That's about it. I have opinions on issues now and again, but nothing has gotten me as engaged as the current financial problems in our country. Call me simple, but I just can't comprehend that kind of money and the logic behind bailing out these companies. I understand that our country's economics revolve around Wall Street, and that the mortgage lenders and banks going under have a direct link to our abilities to access credit in the future.I realize the importance of being able to access credit . The ability to borrow money allows for business growth, it helps our farmers be able to thrive and can put a kid through school who might otherwise not have the chance. Credit can be good. What I don't understand is why these people have been allowed to pull the financial puppet strings, of almost every American, with seemingly no limitations. Credit doesn't help most of us anymore. By burying ourselves so far into debt, we have actually taken away our freedoms and the lenders have been laughing all the way to the bank. Until now.

The financial crisis is not new to our family. We've noticed it for years. Prices rising in the housing, automobile, and fuel markets. But it was all o.k. because as the prices increased so did the ability to get affordable financing. Funny coincidence isn't it? Take buying a car for example. We're inundated with commercials and news stories showing the importance of having a safe car. You do your research. You read the articles, surf the net and go to the dealership to find the safest car to fit your needs. You walk out of that dealership with a seven seat, gas guzzler with 6 airbags for somewhere in the $28,000 price range. You can't really afford it, but it's all good because you have financing. The banks make sure that you feel comfortable buying that car. The dealership makes money, the bank makes money and your in debt. Two years later the car isn't worth anything, your house isn't worth anything and it's getting harder to meet the bills. To make matters worse you have Suze Orman on the Today show telling you to stop buying your cup of coffee every morning because your in debt. As if we now deserve a punishment for buying into the American dream.

What angers me is that the banks, Wall Street and politicians have been feeding us this bait for their own financial gain. They wanted us to borrow money. That's what keeps them rich. Don't get me wrong, we're at fault as well. We were greedy too. But if I'm not getting a bailout why should they? If I'm going to have to give up my Starbucks as penance for my financial sins, why should I have to keep the people who got me into this mess free from consequence? The politicians are acting as if we should be the "better people" and "take one for the team". I don't think so . If I have to take responsibility for my own finances so should the big companies. I'm not getting a bailout and neither should they.

Safe Bottles for Baby

With all the news reports talking about the hazards of drinking from plastic bottles, how do you know what’s safe? Here are some tips to keeping your babies healthy when using bottles or toddler cups...
Do not use any bottles or cups with the numbers 3, 6, or 7 on the bottom. There are concerns that the chemical Bisphenol A or BPA may be ingested in harmful amounts. BPA is believed to mimic hormones in our bodies which may cause many health problems. More studies are being done to determine the actual safety of plastic drinking cups. In the meantime, better safe than sorry. Don’t use plastic liners in bottles. The soft plastic can leach chemicals, especially when heated.Use glass. Infants and babies who aren’t holding bottles yet can use glass.
Now, for all of us who have already been using plastic don't worry. The studies regarding the use of plastic bottles and cups are still inconclusive. Many of us have grown up eating and drinking from plastics and are fine. All we can do is take this new information and be cautious in the future.