You all know I am a huge personal fan of preschool.
But I am not a fan of the hefty price tag.
Check out my newest article on LearnVest: Do You Need to Pay for Preschool?
Let me know what you think!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Peanuts
A teenage boy died last week from eating half a cookie. He didn't know it was made with peanut oil and took a chance. After years of being super vigilant about his food allergies, he made one wrong decision which ended up costing him his life.
This is a story no parent of a kid with food allergies wants to read. It is a sad reminder of how much we need to pay attention, how we can never forget the Epi pens and how we need to educate any adult or care giver who spends time with our kids.
The Wall Street Journal recently published a piece on the changing nature of food allergy research. Many doctors are now claiming that kids should be exposed to allergens at a young age to help them build up immunity. This is the exact opposite of what they were instructing parents of babies only ten years ago.
I don't know what I did wrong or what I didn't do right when I was pregnant, but the babe has lived with food allergies for the past six years. It is a part of our life, and while she continues to outgrow her allergies (she recently passed a food challenge and can now consume dairy), we are still looking at peanuts and the majority of tree nuts.
While I know there's a wider understanding and acceptance in society of nut allergies (as compared to egg or dairy), I still can't shake the sense of dread that came over me when I read the article about the poor teenager who made one wrong move.
I will continue to be paranoid, because as another family's misfortune has just reminded me, I can't be paranoid enough.
This is a story no parent of a kid with food allergies wants to read. It is a sad reminder of how much we need to pay attention, how we can never forget the Epi pens and how we need to educate any adult or care giver who spends time with our kids.
The Wall Street Journal recently published a piece on the changing nature of food allergy research. Many doctors are now claiming that kids should be exposed to allergens at a young age to help them build up immunity. This is the exact opposite of what they were instructing parents of babies only ten years ago.
I don't know what I did wrong or what I didn't do right when I was pregnant, but the babe has lived with food allergies for the past six years. It is a part of our life, and while she continues to outgrow her allergies (she recently passed a food challenge and can now consume dairy), we are still looking at peanuts and the majority of tree nuts.
While I know there's a wider understanding and acceptance in society of nut allergies (as compared to egg or dairy), I still can't shake the sense of dread that came over me when I read the article about the poor teenager who made one wrong move.
I will continue to be paranoid, because as another family's misfortune has just reminded me, I can't be paranoid enough.
Kids Who Know How to Save Money
Do your kids save money? My kids do...although not that well, apparently!
Check out my newest article on LearnVest, How Real Kids Save: Meet the 6-Year-Old Who Socked Away $2,400
Let me know what you think!
Check out my newest article on LearnVest, How Real Kids Save: Meet the 6-Year-Old Who Socked Away $2,400
Let me know what you think!
Hey Soul Sister
So, if a six-year-old girl asked you what "hey, soul sister" means, what would you say?
What would you do if she then started singing "hey, saxy lady"?
As if the situation isn't bad enough, what if she threw in a little gangnam style for good measure.
Should I be worried about what's going on in my daughter's Kindergarten class? Is this what I can expect from public school for the foreseeable future?
I don't consider myself overly uptight, but I really can't get behind these kinds of songs being sung in a classroom filled with six-year-olds.
The babe explained to me that her friend explained to her that "saxy" means "pretty." Then the little guy, who is FOUR, started singing, "hey saxy lady, I want to jump on your cloud." Who knows what that means...but I'm fairly sure it can't be good (my friends will tell you I don't know my lingo for beans).
So, do I move from the big bad city (OK, the urban suburban neighborhood) and retreat to a sparsely-populated country area where kids aren't exposed to this kind of craziness? Oh, right, kids aren't really sheltered anywhere anymore.
Luckily this was a one-time event, but if it's any indication of what's to come, I simply am not ready.
What would you do if she then started singing "hey, saxy lady"?
As if the situation isn't bad enough, what if she threw in a little gangnam style for good measure.
Should I be worried about what's going on in my daughter's Kindergarten class? Is this what I can expect from public school for the foreseeable future?
I don't consider myself overly uptight, but I really can't get behind these kinds of songs being sung in a classroom filled with six-year-olds.
The babe explained to me that her friend explained to her that "saxy" means "pretty." Then the little guy, who is FOUR, started singing, "hey saxy lady, I want to jump on your cloud." Who knows what that means...but I'm fairly sure it can't be good (my friends will tell you I don't know my lingo for beans).
So, do I move from the big bad city (OK, the urban suburban neighborhood) and retreat to a sparsely-populated country area where kids aren't exposed to this kind of craziness? Oh, right, kids aren't really sheltered anywhere anymore.
Luckily this was a one-time event, but if it's any indication of what's to come, I simply am not ready.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Surprising Costs
Want help budgeting for your kid at every age?
Check out my newest article on LearnVest: The Most Surprising Childhood Expense at Every Age.
Thoughts welcome!
Check out my newest article on LearnVest: The Most Surprising Childhood Expense at Every Age.
Thoughts welcome!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
The Telecommute...Banned
Last year, I wrote about the brave new superwoman, Marissa Mayer. This post isn't going to be so glowing.
Mayer caused quite a stir this week. She will no longer allow Yahoo employees to work from home. This is the same woman who has a 5 star nursery set up next to her office, because, after all, her baby may need her.
I'm not going to review all the stats that show how productive telecommuting workers can be. I just want to rant about how ridiculous a policy this is. If I were a Yahoo employee, I would be really pissed off. Actually, I'm not a Yahoo employee and I'm still really pissed off.
It is unfortunate that a closely watched leader such as Mayer could make such a lame move.
While I understand the need for face time at the office, banning all telecommuting arrangements seems to be an inflexible decision that could cost Yahoo some dedicated employees. Hopefully the backlash will help draw attention to the need for flexibility in the workplace. And hopefully other struggling companies don't decide to follow Yahoo's lead.
Mayer caused quite a stir this week. She will no longer allow Yahoo employees to work from home. This is the same woman who has a 5 star nursery set up next to her office, because, after all, her baby may need her.
I'm not going to review all the stats that show how productive telecommuting workers can be. I just want to rant about how ridiculous a policy this is. If I were a Yahoo employee, I would be really pissed off. Actually, I'm not a Yahoo employee and I'm still really pissed off.
It is unfortunate that a closely watched leader such as Mayer could make such a lame move.
While I understand the need for face time at the office, banning all telecommuting arrangements seems to be an inflexible decision that could cost Yahoo some dedicated employees. Hopefully the backlash will help draw attention to the need for flexibility in the workplace. And hopefully other struggling companies don't decide to follow Yahoo's lead.
Don't Waste Your Money!
So, one of the things I MEANT to share with you over the past 6 months was a link to an article I wrote for LearnVest last October: 13 Things Not to Buy For Your Kid.
Thoughts welcome!
Thoughts welcome!
Back in the Saddle
It's been a while...a long while. I don't really know where the time has gone, but here I am. There have been so many things I've thought about sharing over the past 6 months, but I never managed to sit down in front of my ancient lap top and start typing. I mentioned this blog to my husband the other night and he acted as if it was over and done with. But I never meant for it to be over, so I realized I'd better check in and make sure 24-7 Mommy isn't toast. I've been tracking my life as a mom here for almost 6 years and I am not ready to quit.
The babe started Kindergarten in September and the little guy started preschool 5 mornings a week. And you know what? I think I've found the secret to happiness for this SAHM - time alone. It is something I've craved since the babe entered my world, and for the past 6 months, I've had the pleasure of experiencing it. I feel like I'm happier than I've been for years, and I figure it's because I now have a little room to breathe. You'd think I would be making time to share my happiness, but I've always used this blog as a place to off-load all the craziness, and perhaps, due to this new found happiness, I just haven't needed to off-load like I have in years past.
I think it's time for 24-7 Mommy to evolve. I'm asking myself what I want this blog to look like now that I am no longer a "newbie" mama. And I hope blogging is like riding a bike, because I'm feeling extremely rusty. I'm questioning what is appropriate to share now that my kids are older, and I'm wondering where I should set the new boundaries. My daughter, although not surfing the web reading blogs, is now able to actually read. I now have to think about her privacy in a different way (although I think the little guy would still be fine with my sharing the ups and downs of his adventures in the fabulous and frustrating fours).
Anyway, I will be checking in and I hope you will too. I've missed this and I think it's time I come back to 24-7 Mommy. This blog is not toast.
The babe started Kindergarten in September and the little guy started preschool 5 mornings a week. And you know what? I think I've found the secret to happiness for this SAHM - time alone. It is something I've craved since the babe entered my world, and for the past 6 months, I've had the pleasure of experiencing it. I feel like I'm happier than I've been for years, and I figure it's because I now have a little room to breathe. You'd think I would be making time to share my happiness, but I've always used this blog as a place to off-load all the craziness, and perhaps, due to this new found happiness, I just haven't needed to off-load like I have in years past.
I think it's time for 24-7 Mommy to evolve. I'm asking myself what I want this blog to look like now that I am no longer a "newbie" mama. And I hope blogging is like riding a bike, because I'm feeling extremely rusty. I'm questioning what is appropriate to share now that my kids are older, and I'm wondering where I should set the new boundaries. My daughter, although not surfing the web reading blogs, is now able to actually read. I now have to think about her privacy in a different way (although I think the little guy would still be fine with my sharing the ups and downs of his adventures in the fabulous and frustrating fours).
Anyway, I will be checking in and I hope you will too. I've missed this and I think it's time I come back to 24-7 Mommy. This blog is not toast.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Family
I recently came across this great Erma Bombeck quote from The Ties That Bind...And Gag.
I thought it was worth sharing with you:
"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together."
This quote reminds me of growing up one of three kids in my family and helps me envision what my "new" family will look like in the years to come.
It's been happening before my eyes. My kids are now starting to experience the same challenges and joys of growing up that I did. Their relationship as siblings is blossoming and their reliance on each other is increasing. I hope theirs is a bond they will maintain well into the future.
As the babe prepares to start Kindergarten on Monday, I am dwelling on the fact that my little family's grand adventure has been flowing by at what sometimes feels like warp speed, and at others, like molasses going up a hill. Joy and pain, hand in hand.
Before I send my first born off to her first day of elementary school, I just wanted to share how blessed I feel to trudge through this life with my extended family. Love to you all.
I thought it was worth sharing with you:
"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together."
This quote reminds me of growing up one of three kids in my family and helps me envision what my "new" family will look like in the years to come.
It's been happening before my eyes. My kids are now starting to experience the same challenges and joys of growing up that I did. Their relationship as siblings is blossoming and their reliance on each other is increasing. I hope theirs is a bond they will maintain well into the future.
As the babe prepares to start Kindergarten on Monday, I am dwelling on the fact that my little family's grand adventure has been flowing by at what sometimes feels like warp speed, and at others, like molasses going up a hill. Joy and pain, hand in hand.
Before I send my first born off to her first day of elementary school, I just wanted to share how blessed I feel to trudge through this life with my extended family. Love to you all.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The Tooth Fairy
I've always had a special place in my heart for the tooth fairy. There's just nothing bad about her. She is magic and she makes kids happy. I may have trouble lying about Santa, but a big part of me still believes in the good 'oll tooth fairy.
And last night she paid my family a visit for the very first time.
The babe has been playing with her first lose tooth for the past three months. She has asked me countless times when it will come out. I have replied that I can't really tell her when it will happen because it's up to her body. I did, however, offer to tie a piece of string to her tooth, attach the string to a door knob and slam the door for her, but for some reason she wasn't down with that.
Last night as she watched a pre-bath episode of Max and Ruby, she managed to yank the cute little tooth out. She ran into the kitchen bursting with excitement and waving her tooth around in a state of shock. She was sporting a noticeable gap in the front lower section of her sweet smile. I picked her up and twirled her around for a few minutes sharing in her absolute joy. It was really cool to be a part of the experience and I was so glad I was with her when her first tooth came out.
I have kept my childhood tooth fairy pillow all these years. I had it stowed away safely for my first born child. But a few months ago I took it out to show the babe and after that it was swallowed into the abyss of our home. Guess what we couldn't find last night? That's right; the pillow I have safely kept for over 20 years.
No worries. We set out the babe's original hand knit (by my Mom) baby blanket and placed the tooth in a little plastic container for safe keeping. We set everything up neatly on her bed side table. My husband, who was working late, packed up his stuff and came home as soon as we called him with the good news. He made it back in time to share in the excitement of our daughter's first lost tooth. Good Papa.
In the end, the tooth fairy left out a US dollar bill, a US quarter, a US dime, a US nickel, a US penny AND a Canadian (CDN) loonie, a CDN quarter, a CDN dime, a CDN nickel and a CDN penny.
I awoke to the sound of the babe dumping out her tooth fairy stash on our bed. The kid was seriously thrilled. For a moment, I believed right along with her that the tooth fairy had dropped by while we were all sleeping.
She has another lose tooth, so we may be having some more chats about fairies and international currency soon.
And last night she paid my family a visit for the very first time.
The babe has been playing with her first lose tooth for the past three months. She has asked me countless times when it will come out. I have replied that I can't really tell her when it will happen because it's up to her body. I did, however, offer to tie a piece of string to her tooth, attach the string to a door knob and slam the door for her, but for some reason she wasn't down with that.
Last night as she watched a pre-bath episode of Max and Ruby, she managed to yank the cute little tooth out. She ran into the kitchen bursting with excitement and waving her tooth around in a state of shock. She was sporting a noticeable gap in the front lower section of her sweet smile. I picked her up and twirled her around for a few minutes sharing in her absolute joy. It was really cool to be a part of the experience and I was so glad I was with her when her first tooth came out.
I have kept my childhood tooth fairy pillow all these years. I had it stowed away safely for my first born child. But a few months ago I took it out to show the babe and after that it was swallowed into the abyss of our home. Guess what we couldn't find last night? That's right; the pillow I have safely kept for over 20 years.
No worries. We set out the babe's original hand knit (by my Mom) baby blanket and placed the tooth in a little plastic container for safe keeping. We set everything up neatly on her bed side table. My husband, who was working late, packed up his stuff and came home as soon as we called him with the good news. He made it back in time to share in the excitement of our daughter's first lost tooth. Good Papa.
In the end, the tooth fairy left out a US dollar bill, a US quarter, a US dime, a US nickel, a US penny AND a Canadian (CDN) loonie, a CDN quarter, a CDN dime, a CDN nickel and a CDN penny.
I awoke to the sound of the babe dumping out her tooth fairy stash on our bed. The kid was seriously thrilled. For a moment, I believed right along with her that the tooth fairy had dropped by while we were all sleeping.
She has another lose tooth, so we may be having some more chats about fairies and international currency soon.
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