The Consumer Product Safety Commision released seven additional recalls on Thursday.  Read more…

Following the death of a 10 month-old child, Kolkraft has issued a recall that involves twelve different models of their play yard system.  Included in this recall are the Travelin’ Tot (LTD, 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 as well), Carter’s Lennon Travelin’ Tot, “Sesame Beginnings” Traveling Play Yard, Jeep Sahara (SE, Limited, XT, Limited SE, Limited XT) Play Yard, and the Contours 3-in-1 Play Yard.  Reports of children being injured while rolling over as well as strangulation from the changing table strap have been reported.  Please refer to the link provided for more information on the products involved and the course of action if you own one of these products.

Those pesky little slivers of wood.  They show up in places we’d otherwise consider safe!  What is an easy and pain-free way to remove a splinter, especially from a small hand or foot? Read more…

The world of money - it is a jungle out there.  And, teaching your children financial responsibility can go a long way to helping them understand saving and spending as an adult.  So, where do you start and what are some strategies to making the allowance gig a teachable moment? Read more…

Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
         Than a house full of feasting with strife.
Proverbs 17:1

There is something to be said for practicing what you preach.  This past week, I began facilitating a parenting class based on a book by Tim Kimmel, Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right.  The title is a bit misleading.  There’s no guarantee that your children will grow up to be independent, fulfilled, happy, well-adjusted, gifted, powerful individuals.  What it does do, though, is equip parents with strategies and ideas to improve the core family values and rethink the way we interact with our children. Read more…

Now that school is back in full swing, I’m making the rounds to the teachers, setting up parent-teacher conferences.  Now, our schools offer conferences at various times of the year, but I try to make an effort to make a “get acquainted” meeting before then.  To me, there is nothing more important in my child’s year than a good relationship between the parent and the teacher.  When communication is strong, the child finds a comfortable learning environment and will thrive. Read more…

It was the first thing out of my 8 year-old’s mouth when he came running up the sidewalk from a friend’s house last week.  And, tagging along behind him, was a rangy mutt, all of about fifteen pounds, panting and frothing and desperately trying to keep up.  Read more…

We all know how this question gets answered most often - with the standard “fine” response.  My son was no different from most kids last year; he would not offer up any insight into his day at school without a little prodding.  So, I have a little activity we do each day this year to help him recall exactly how his day went.  It works whether I’m picking him up in the car, walking him home or he rides the bus. Read more…