by guest blogger Wendy Harper

As the mother of two boys from Africa, people often tell me they’ve always wanted to adopt.  Honestly, that was never my intention. Even when I made my first phone call to an adoption agency, I did so as a see-God-I-am-willing-to-adopt-now-can-I-get-pregnant barter with the Big Guy. And yet, at some point along the way, I began to realize that getting pregnant, naming a child, or mothering a baby was not important. I simply wanted to be a mom. It was a process that started half-way around the world – not in my children’s home country of Ethiopia - but in Russia.

On Thanksgiving Day 2005, my husband and I boarded a plane and traveled half-way around the world to meet a baby who we would call John Paul. The child was in Novokusnetsk, Russia – a.k.a. Siberia. We fell in love, signed the papers, and promised to be back in a few weeks to bring him home forever. (At the time, Russia was a two trip program. From what I understand, Russian adoptions now require three trips.)  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Happy Mothers' Day weekend to all of you from the moms right here on our TMOM team! I thought today was a great day to post this reminder from Mother Teresa. These verses were reportedly written on her wall for children in Calcutta, India. (Our friend Rachel at Triad MOM printed this out and posted it on her fridge after seeing it on her mother-in-law's refrigerator for years, and shared them with us.) These are great words for moms - and families -  to live by every day. Read More

By Guest Blogger Kristen Daukas with Ten to Twenty Parenting

At some point of your parenting tenure, this scenario is going to happen to you:

You’re in the kitchen, rushing around doing your end of day things. Getting dinner ready (if you know what you’re actually going to make), going thru the mail, sorting thru the endless stream of paperwork sent home by the school, cleaning out the clutter that is in your car (who knew you birthed an entire football team?!) and then, suddenly, you stop. You can feel the burn of their eyes boring into the back of your head. You turn around, only to see your precious offspring staring at you in disgust and out of their mouth comes the assault.

“Mom. You know you really shouldn’t be throwing those things into the trash. You should recycle them. And you know those really long showers that Daddy takes? Do you know how bad that is for the planet? And I went around the house and do you realize that WE DON’T HAVE A SINGLE CFL LIGHT BULB??”

You’ve just been served, Mom - by the junior “Go-Green” Police. Read More

by guest blogger Brooke Farmer

Recently, I had one of those lovely, unexpected moments where you really feel appreciated for what you do, completely reaffirming your commitment to your job. Going through the mail one evening I recognized the return address for a family that I used to nanny while I was in graduate school in Richmond, VA. Inside was an invitation to the high school graduation for Wes, the young man I had taken care of from the age of nine to eleven. There was also a note from his mom saying that he had specifically asked that I be invited because he knew I would be proud of him for reaching this milestone.  Read More

By Guest Blogger, Lisa Witherspoon

Homework. Sports and extra-curricular activities. Family time. Parents’ work schedules. These are all important parts of out kids’ daily schedules. As you work out the logistics of all these activities, do you factor in the importance of a good night’s sleep??? Read More

By Guest Blogger Elizabeth Sasso Smith

The subject of child safety is so broad it seems like there is an endless list of topics; bath safety, car safety, bike safety, home safety, water safety. As the mother of a toddler, when someone mentions safety I think of gates, cabinet latches, outlet plugs,etc. At this point in my life my safety goal is to keep my child away from the things that could hurt him. But it leads me to question how much I should keep my child away from versus how much should I teach him to stay away from. For example: do I put a gate up to keep my child out of the living room so he doesn’t mess with the picture frames, or do I focus on teaching him not to go into that room or not to touch the picture frames? Read More

by Kimberly Froeschner

I'm a total geneaology nut, and the 1940 Census is coming out.  To me, this is like waiting for the next Harry Potter book/movie to come out...or for the next iPhone (depending on your mom mode).  It's truly very exciting because for a lot of us, our grandparents and even some parents will be on this census. All of this excitement has made me think a lot more about family heritage and traditions lately.   Read More

By Guest Blogger, Lisa Witherspoon

“I want THAT, Mom. Pleeeeease!!!” This is probably something you have heard many times if you have dared to walk through Target or Wal-Mart with your children in tow. As adults, we know that children can’t have everything they think they want, especially in the current economic time. However, this can be difficult to explain since most children have very little understanding of money and how it works. Read More

by Cara McLauchlan, local writer and author of Joy Goggles

Sandwiches are only fun at picnics.

Not as much fun when they become the bucket you fall into as the “sandwich” generation – caring for your own children while caring for your parents. That’s me. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

We'd been planning to save this post for a Sunday funny, but after this weekend, it seems particularly relevant...enjoy! Thanks Rachel!   ~KB

I had been playing phone tag with a friend of mine for a while. Once we finally got in touch we enjoyed catching up and then she commented, “Well I had been trying to call forever, you but you didn’t answer your phone!” It was almost an underlying dig somehow insinuating that I was avoiding her call or purposely did not answer because I did not want to talk to her. I didn’t comment, but had one of those moments after we hung up where you think, “Awww man, I should have said …”

So today I will say what I should have said. This situation got me thinking about the fact that we have become WAY too accessible.(Email, texts, home phone, cell phone, etc) It irked me because there are about a thousand reasons why I may not answer my phone and none of them have to do with WHO is calling. Beware, much sarcasm ahead.

So what I should have said was, “Did you ever consider … Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

If you read the title and then said "Ice is back with my brand new invention," you have made my day! But, today's post is not about Vanilla Ice. It is about listening to your kids and giving them your undivided attention! Let me give you an example from my home and you can tell me whether or not you relate:

It is about 4pm in the afternoon on any given school day. We have finished up homework and I am busy doing some work on the computer. One of my children walks up next to me and talks for a good minute or two. I am so focused on whatever it is that I am doing that I just decide to answer with a simple, "uh huh." Child walks away and a minute later I hear the front door slam.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

What does your morning routine look like? Calm, regimented, lovely...or is it like my house: remembering what you thought you'd planned out and actually didn't, about 4 minutes before you have to leave...making 11 trips to the car so you don't drop coffee on the baby in his car seat, and also to remember the makeup basket for the commute post-kids...not to mention the smoothie, and the 2 school bags, and the granola bar for the 4-year old...anyway. Read More

by Guest Blogger, Heather Keenan

In a world where it seems new gadgets are invented weekly to make our daily routines easier I have found, as a mother, that there are just some things in life that still have to be done the old fashioned way, with time and lots of patience. That being said, I have discovered that I do not always excel in the patience department with my adorable, loving, strong willed two-year-old! After a particularly rough day with her I decided to take some time out to reflect on what could be done to make sure that days like those were limited. This is what I came up with.

The main issue at our house as of late is potty training. I'm not a fan of the wording, potty "training", so let's call it potty "time". While she has been using the potty for a few months now, and doing very well, she does, just like two-year-olds do, have the dreaded accident here and there. I can deal with that. Most of the time. Then there are those times where I swear she is just peeing on the floor for fun. That's where my patience issue comes into play.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

I have seen today's funny floating around on Facebook, and I think it's worth a "share." Our children's world is quite different than the one we grew up in, and the sense of entitlement in some of our young adults seems to be a result of that. The attached image gets us back to the basics, and is entitled "11 Rules Your Kids Did Not And Will Not Learn In School." Enjoy! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Every once in a while, I think about how nice it would be to just be alone for a while. You know...go potty without hearing "MOMMY! Can you see my FINGERS?!" as the little hands are shoved under the door. Or to have a meal that you get to eat every bite of, sitting down, peacefully as opposed to eating about 1/3 of it, sharing about 1/3, and getting up so many times in between that you abandon the last 1/3 in favor of a bowl of ice cream. Hypothetically, of course.

Well, over the past few days, I got my wish. My husband was on a business trip from Thursday through Sunday morning, and silly me thought "oooh...once I get the kids in bed, I will have some alone time!" It's amazing how naieve I can be.  Read More

by guest blogger Susan M.

Each of my three children (older daughter and twin boys) have their own unique interests and talents, which is not a surprise. W is theoretically in the middle, born first of the two boys, although only by a few minutes. While W is my sweet and caring child, he is not, shall we say, an athlete. Which is odd, since he is the splitting image of his father, who was an athlete with a capital A. At the end of the day, W is my child. Which, while this could land him a college scholarship, is unfortunate as a male child in the M household.

It is kind to say that we (W & myself) are not coordinated. In any fashion. We are fortunate to get through the day with only bruises that we remember getting, since we often run into things and just don't notice. In a shock to only my husband, I was essentially kicked off my childhood softball team by being placed in the far left outfield. (The shock has worn off, I promise.) Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

When you become a mom, you start finding shortcuts in the most unlikely places. (I will admit that as I was writing this, it occurred to me - perhaps it's time to re-read Rachel's "Getting out the door in 30 minutes" post again and commit it to memory. Anyway...) Whether it's pre-making lunch, getting help with household tasks, or putting on mascara at a stop light, moms make it work day in and day out. Below I have listed ten tips for busy moms that I would not necessarily recommend...but they definitely work for me. Think about it: what shortcuts do you take during the day? Moms are innovators, for sure! Read More

By Beth Frack, Artist-in-Residence at Forsyth Country Day School

Several years ago, I taught music to a kindergarten student who was described by his classroom teachers and parents as unhappy, moody, contradictory and never excited about anything. That same year I gave him a solo in a school musical, and it was like watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly. This child became confident and excited about everything. Suddenly, there was joy and happiness, and it spilled over into his classroom and home life in a very positive way. The teachers were amazed at thetransformation in this child, and they attributed the change to the joy that music brought into his life. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

I've been trying to think of the right way to describe the events and feelings of the past few weeks. During this time, I have put baby #2 into day care (already?!), gone back to work, tried to tie up loose ends for the holidays, hosted family for the holidays, not-exactly-decorated my house for the holidays, and attended one too many parties over the holidays.

I had thought I was getting into a rhythm with the new baby thing, but 2 kids still feels more like 3. (Moms of multiples and 3+ kids, go ahead and scoff. I can own my wimpyness.)

Maybe it's the lack of sleep, but I am absolutely, totally, completely overwhelmed. Still.  Read More

by guest blogger Kelly G., Triad Moms on Main

Fun Games to Play in the Car!
The holidays are here, which means many of us will be traveling throughout the next few months.  If you are opposed to "plugging in" your kids for the trip, or simply need a break from the DVD, I Touch, or Nintendo DS, we've got some great options for you today! 

My older son is a big game player. We always have some kind of contest going on in the car, even if we are just driving to baseball practice. I gotta say, it’s kind of fun, and it keeps both kids entertained and talking with me. Here are some of our recent games. Read More

by guest blogger Kimberly Froeschner

Ah, the holidays.  That special time of year when you hear Grandpa Bob talk about hunting season and Aunt Jane tells everyone about the shopping deals she's going to snag, while you scarf down your Grandma's famous stuffing with loads of gravy.  It's a picture-perfect Norman Rockwell holiday setting.  The only stress in this scenario is whether you wore the elastic-waist pants, and if Cousin George is going to eat the last slice of pecan pie before you get to it.

If this is realistic for you, then bless your heart and I'm truly happy for you.  Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have this scene on Thanksgiving or Christmas; it just doesn't really work that way for us. (I know I am not alone here.)  I think I had this holiday once upon a time when I was a kid, and was totally unaware of what goes into making that happen.  I hope my child also has this kind of holiday memory, but it takes a LOT of work on my part.  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

I picked up my daughter’s Strawberry Shortcake doll the other day and it immediately took me back to my childhood. That strawberry smell (that actually smells nothing like strawberries) is embedded in my brain as a reminder of childhood happiness.

It is amazing how a simple smell can transport you to specific time and place and can quickly give you that warm feeling of comfort. I think it is so important to teach our kids how to literally “stop and smell the roses!” My mom always picked Honeysuckle with us and let us taste it. Even to this day as I am walking past a Honeysuckle bush, it reminds me of my childhood and brings a smile to my face. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

OK, at some point this month I'll write a post with no holiday reference, but that title was too easy to pass up. But here's the thing: I'm completely freaked out. Read More

by guest blogger Courtney Murphy, author of www.courtontherun.blogspot.com

If you have more than one child at home who can talk, the words "I'm telling" probably cause you to grind your teeth and run the other direction as fast as you can just like me.  At our house, the frequency of these words usually increases significantly during the witching hour when everyone is tired, hungry and I'm trying to cook dinner.    

Yesterday, one of my children actually told on his brother for....wait for it....stealing the imaginary football that they were playing with.   Mind you, they were playing an actual imaginary football game, so taking the imaginary football would probably be a legal play.  This particular tattle actually left me speechless for a second....but my child kept repeating it to make sure I heard and could issue appropriate punishment.  "You're kidding, right?"  I asked him, "You are actually telling on your brother for taking an imaginary football in an imaginary football game?  Why don't you just take it back?"  Probably not the best response, but seriously, an imaginary football?  What was I supposed to say? Read More

by guest blogger Susan M.

Today's post is quite possibly my favorite holiday story ever. Side note: the image on this blog reminded me of my brother in law, who is thought that cranberries only came in a can-shaped loaf until his first Thanksgiving with my family. Happy holiday to you!   - Kristen

I think that it's safe to say that where there is a holiday, and where there is extended family, there will be chaos. And something worthy of laughter. So Happy Holiday Season, y'all, sit back and enjoy our Thanksgiving - the holiday that just kept giving, and giving, and giving. Read More

by Triad MoM guest blogger Parker White
adapted for the Triangle by Kristen Bagwell

As parents, we all want to raise thoughtful, well-rounded children. Yet, society tells us that what is important these days are looks, wealth and status. Are these the messages we want our children to learn? As a mother of two, I found what is most important to me is my child's character. I want to raise my children to be good people, to help those in need and realize how blessed they truly are. In a culture of more...more...more, I want my children to learn the phrase give...give...give. Read More

by guest blogger Kelly Hines, author of the blog Southern Fried Children

"So you see, the sperm from the penis fertilizes the egg..."
"But how does the sperm get to the egg?"

Oh. Oh oh oh oh. Here it is, the moment I've been preparing diligently for. I clear my throat and level my gaze at my 10 year old daughter, her eyes wide with curiosity and innocence. I am about to blow her mind.  Read More

by Rachel Hoeing

As we gather all the relatives together for Thanksgiving meals, we get geared up for some delicious turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and green beans. If you have a child like my daughter … she will eat none of the above. (The battle with that is a story for another day!) Alas, I have a few recipes below that are family favorites for all of us and they can easily slide in with the other Thanksgiving items on the buffet. Hopefully even the pickiest of eaters may take a taste. I am not claiming that any of these are healthy – just yummy and easy! Read More

by guest blogger Susan M.

When we were looking for this house, there was talk of things that live in old houses. Like mice, and spiders and the like. But I was assured, you see, that these things live outside, and that our dogs would alert us to the presence of anything else.

I was lied to. Read More

by Katie Moosbrugger

We have big news on our site today....we just published a new look to our calendar of events! You all tell us how much you appreciate TMoM's easy-to-use calendar of Triangle family-friendly events, and now it's even more user-friendly - especially for busy parents who like to plan ahead.

Here's how it works. When you click on our Events page, you will see our new calendar listed on the main page. With this new calendar format, there are three ways you can now view events: by week, by month, or by "agenda".

The "Agenda" view will probably be the format you use most often. Here you can quickly glance at events happening each day - and at the time in which they occur - without having to click on a specific date. If you want to narrow your view to events happening during one specific week, you would then click the "Week" view. Likewise, if you want to view the entire month at one time, click "Month" view. You are also able to print the events in a nice "printable" form too. Read More

by Cara McLauchlan, guest blogger
and author of Joy Goggles 

Winning is overrated. Losing might be the new "it."

Lately I have been watching a lot of losing at little league baseball. As a mom, I have run out of cheery things to say. But to truly appreciate winning, I think you need to lose a lot. Read More

By Guest Blogger Jennifer Guidry

Those of you who have teenagers live quite a different life than those with little ones. One of our loyal readers, Jennifer, has given us some insight into living with teens in the 21st century. She has a 16-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter and claims to have mastered the skills of texting, blogging, and emailing just so she can communicate effectively with them both while she works a full-time job!
 Read More

By Guest Blogger Michelle Bostian, LCSW
Lower School Counselor for Greensboro Day School

Feeling uncomfortable about being separate from mom and dad, or “separation anxiety” is most commonly thought to be something that impacts preschool children and kindergarten age. It does, but also common is the onset around 4th grade. It catches parents off guard because they think they are done with this sort of thing.  Read More

by Rachel Hoeing

Over the summer I took an unexpected leave of absence from Triad Moms on Main. Hopefully most of you did not even notice, and that is because of the incredible women on my team who kept the site going strong. I do not know what I would have done without them.

This summer was nowhere close to what my family had anticipated. In addition to lazy days at the pool, trips to visit relatives, and a few camps for the kids, we had planned a cruise to the Bahamas and a trip to Hilton Head, all with my parents and sister. Instead, I ended up spending the majority of the summer in a hospital room at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte with my mom.

I have mentioned in previous blogs that my mom has battled ovarian cancer for quite some time. She was diagnosed 12 years ago, underwent chemo and a hysterectomy and was then cancer free for about 7 years. Four years ago, the cancer resurfaced in different areas, but was still considered the same ovarian cancer. My mom was tough. Through tears and much pain, she underwent chemo and radiation for the majority of the past four years. All the while, she taught preschool in Charlotte, came to visit our family, entertained us at their home frequently, took numerous trips, and did it all with laughs and smiles.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell
  
I have never wanted a minivan. Actually, I should re-state...I have always NOT wanted a minivan. For as long as I can remember, I've been "that girl," loud and proud, declaring whenever it felt right: "I will never have a minivan."

Imagine my surprise this morning when I thought "this really would be much easier if I had a minivan." What??  Read More

By Guest Blogger Kelly Hines, author of the hilarious Southern Fried Children blog

I struggled with working mommy angst for my oldest child's first three years of life. The day I quit my job, I very literally jumped for joy walking through the parking lot. Never again was I going to miss a milestone in my daughters' life. I would be there for every first, every field trip, every party. It was going to be so awesome, so perfect. I would be there, for everything.

Everyday.
All day.
By myself.
With a three year old. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Well, it's happened, and sooner than I expected - I have to acknowledge that I had no idea what I was getting into with this second baby thing. None. I expected to have these feelings in a few more weeks, but I've already had my little moment:

What was I thinking when I jumped into baby #2-ville?! Read More

by guest blogger Susan M.
Last week, I think it's safe to say, was a week of train wreck proportions. The gratitude list was non-existent, tears were shed, phone calls were made, children were threatened, and Casa Carpool was not a happy place. I am almost embarrassed to say that it was potentially the worst second week of school ever. Ever.

Let's recap, shall we?

Monday - Failed to sign child's agenda in correct place. Gentle slapdown from teacher, since surely I should be getting with the program by now. Child does not receive credit due to parental error. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

A few weeks ago, a group of my girlfriends got into a discussion about "push presents." If you have never heard this term before, it refers to a gift given to a mom (usually by the dad) after giving birth to a child. These presents are traditionally jewelry or a trip.

Well, the discussion got very heated with many different opinions and I could not believe how passionate some people were about this topic! Wow! We had one end of the spectrum with mothers who felt that the gift was well-deserved after nine months of carrying the baby and hours of delivery. They felt that the gift was not only deserved, but expected. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

OK, so I realize that we're still easing into the (traditional) school year, but my sister's kids started a week earlier than we did here, and I am betting that she's already observing the same study patterns as in the early months of last year.

I should back up and mention for those of you that don't know: my older sister is a math and science whiz who just happens to have an innate talent for writing and communication. In short, she can do it all, and pretty well. (Flash back to 10th grade day 1, where my older sister is making jokes with her Advanced Physics teacher while I am averting my eyes from Mrs. "How could you have gotten a D in geometry last year when your sister is SO SMART" Math teacher. But I digress.)  Read More

by Rachel Hoeing

It absolutely cracks me up when I hear people say, “Oh, I just loved being pregnant! I felt so full of life and always had a glow about me!” I have no way of relating to those statements. For me, there was definitely not a glow … I was usually white as a ghost because I was nauseous or about to throw up. I also had that horrible pain down the side of my inner thigh, awful back pain, and I felt like I waddled for the last three months.  Read More

by Cara McLauchlan

I’ve been thinking about canning lately. Yes, canning – think grandmas with winged aprons and a beautiful pantry filled with rows and rows of goodness. Somehow the idea of lining my shelves with summer’s bounty and sweet, red-checked jars sounds appealing.

This week at the grocery store, I discovered Canning Magazine – has it always been there? Usually I’m studying fashion magazine covers, diet features and celebrity gossip. And now, canning. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

It's that time of year again...first days of school all over the area. Many kids view this as an exciting time, but others feel very nervous. In cruising my favorite blogs, I came across http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com, and found a great poem on an older post. It seems especially fitting for the first day of school, reminding our kids that each year brings a clean slate. If every child walked into a new classroom believing he or she could be whomever they wanted to be in a safe, happy place on the other side of the door, imagine what could happen!  Read More

by guest blogger Kimberly F.

As we prepared to send J off to college for the first time, I started thinking about the past 11 years I have spent with him as his step-mom. (I’m currently the mom of a 2 ½ year old as well and yes, that’s a big jump.)  I wondered about what it would be like if I was ever in the situation of being divorced and someone else was to be my child’s step-mom.  I don’t know how I could possibly handle such a situation.  Fortunately, I don’t foresee that being an issue for me because my husband and I seem to be made for each other – for better or worse!  I never intended to be anyone’s step-mom, but these things happen when you fall in love with someone who just happens to be divorced and a dad.   Read More

by Anonymous

Short and sweet this morning...this is from a "friend of a friend." Talk about a hole in one... Read More

by Katie Moosbrugger and Rachel Hoeing

Remember the days when your mom would open the back door and say, “Go play outside and I don’t want to see you around for the next hour.” When I think of that, I crack up because I could not imagine saying those words today. But back then, I gladly left the house (as young as five years old) and would walk as far as a quarter mile to my best friend’s house down the street.

Back then no one had fenced-in yards, hardly anyone had play sets (maybe a tree fort if they were lucky), our parents rarely signed us up for organized sports until we were at least middle school age, we never played video games (that is until my older brother got Atari – but then again he never let me play it anyhow).. and all the while I managed to have a pretty incredible childhood! Imagine that!

So before this summer is over, I thought it would be fun to relive the games we used to play growing up – games now that are considered “classic,” or “old-fashioned” and don’t involve electricity, activity fees, or hundreds of dollars at the local toy store! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

My niece starts high school this week. Ninth grade!! I remember her 9th birthday. (Who am I kidding, I remember when she was 9 days old, 9 weeks old...) This time of year always makes me wonder: where does the time go?

Many of our local year-round schools kicked off their new calendar years earlier this month, but for traditional schools, that day is coming up quickly. There's always such a flurry to get our supplies and to make sure everything in its place for day 1, but when it comes down to it, how do you get your kids ready to go back? Sleeping late goes back to being a weekend activity, among other things...

In general, we all know what we have to do, but I've collected some tips from parents I know, as well as from Parents Magazine. Many of these are common sense things that I will admit, I don't always do, but they always help when I do them: Read More

by guest blogger Jessica Sheedy

What Mom doesn’t want the best for her kids and family? We all strive to lead healthier lives, and recent news of dangerous chemicals and irritants in products we use every day has become more prominent. There is an overwhelming amount of information out there about what choices we should be making regarding cleaning products, food storage, and even personal care products like makeup and baby shampoos/soaps.

My sister was just recently diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32, which made me really think about a lot of things, but especially how my family lives and the future I want for my two boys, Evan (7) and Alex (5). To be clear, I am not the most ardent environmentalist by any means, but I do know that making these changes will have a positive affect on my family and our health. With innovation and popularity of convenience, we’ve lost a lot regarding personal safety and responsibility for our planet. Not sure where to start? Check out this list of small changes that can have a dramatic impact on your family’s health:  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

I hate funerals.

Even as I typed those words, I was thinking (sarcastically) "wow, that's really profound." Because really, who likes funerals? When we were younger, I was somewhat sheltered from death, and never attended funerals with my parents. Starting in high school, I think my friends and have now I attended more funerals than many people twice my age. Lately, though, it has occurred to me that my thinking about funerals is all wrong.  Read More

by Katie Moosbrugger and Kristen Bagwell

Summer is the perfect time of year to consider a volunteer project with your whole family. Not only can children learn valuable "working" skills and all about different organizations - as well as how these organizations fit within society -  but kids also learn how to give back and be thankful for what they have. According to www.CompassionateKids.com, children who see their parents volunteering are much more likely to believe in the value of helping others. Plus, working alongside your kids is not only a great way to teach by example - it's also fun.

You don't have to look far to find a fun opportunity for your family. Below you'll find suggestions for kids by age, as well as links to some local organizations. Enjoy scoping out our list, and if we did not include a volunteer opportunity you know of, please add in the comments below. Read More

by guest blogger Susan M.

Motherhood didn't so much call to me as mowed me down in its wake. I never planned on having children, honestly - I wasn't the camp counselor the kids adored, the favorite babysitter, the peer counselor in the elementary school. I was the snarky aloof kid, busily looking for things to make fun of. (I'm sure you're all shocked.) Motherhood was sort of inevitable, I guessed, but nothing I really desired. There are lots of times that I still wonder how I got here, how I'll survive it, and how soon I should start my children's therapy. Read More

by guest blogger, Daniel Krowchuk, M.D.
General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Expert at Brenner Children’s Hospital

It’s a fact - one third of 9th graders and two thirds of 12th graders in the US report having had sex. If you’d like your child (girl or boy) to act responsibly and make sound decisions, talking about sex is essential. Ideally, these conversations will occur as natural extensions of discussions you’ve already had about “sensitive” issues. No doubt, you will have discussed the names of body parts in early childhood, “where babies come from,” and the body changes that might occur during puberty. The fact that you talk regularly and openly with your child about all sorts of issues will provide a foundation for a discussion of sex. Read More

by guest blogger Jenny Stauffer, Triad MOM


This month, I have decided to share some of our family’s favorite dinner recipes. Some of them are more suited for company, but most of them are recipes that are in our regular rotation of meals. We are so busy this time of year, it’s great to fall back on those easy favorites that are relatively quick and easy to prepare. Some of these recipes may even be in your collection of favorites! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

As many of you already know, I am 7 months pregnant. (Actually 30 weeks, but who's counting.) My husband, while definitely NOT jealous, seems to need...well....something of his own. I kept wondering how long it would take us to have this conversation, and here we are. "Honey, maybe we should get another dog."  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

I was going to call this "Is It Just Me part 3" but then I couldn't remember which version we were on, or if Rachel had done one of these in a while, etc. So, in honor of Monday and easing into the week, we'll call it Random Thoughts. Let's hope that a lighthearted start will bring an easy week!

Is it just me, or do you agree? Read More

By Guest Blogger Scott Rigdon, author of the blog Three Five Zero

I have a stunningly beautiful 7 year old daughter.  There, I said it!  And it didn’t even hurt.  I used to lose sleep over raising a daughter alone.  I have a strikingly handsome 10 year old son too, but guy stuff comes naturally for he and I.  Baby Girl was more of a challenge.  I think she’s taught me well, though.

You see, everywhere I look, physical beauty is on sale, for sale, and as far as I can tell our society’s most valuable commodity.  Even if that isn’t true, it certainly seems that way.  Magazine racks, billboards, any and every advertisement you see…  shampoo commercials!  All of these things, every day, teaching my Baby Girl she should be pretty above all else.  I didn’t give them permission to teach her that.  I sternly object.  Yet there it is, everywhere, and I can’t change it. Read More

by Cara McLauchlan

Teaching my son manners has made me a mom vigilante.

Like a sniper stakeout, I am constantly surveying the landscape and pouncing on any opportunity to remind and practice manners. I sit at the dinner table and wait, ready with the "where does your napkin go?" or the classic "what do you do with your dish?" and the kicker "did you ask to be excused?"

Obnoxious, I know. But how else do the kids learn the stuff but in the heat of the moment? I've decided that with enough practice, it will come natural. But it hasn't yet. Maybe it's me or maybe I'm doing it wrong. Read More

by Rachel Hoeing

I have always been the organized one, the detail-oriented one, the one who is always on time, the one who has things planned two weeks in advance.  You know, typical Type-A.  Not anymore.  I don't know what has happened to me and I need advice!

I was a school teacher until I had my first child and then decided to stay home with him, but I have always had some sort of income/job while raising a family.  They were all part-time gigs, and up until a year ago, I could still juggle it all.  I was still the first one to send a birthday card.  I was still always on time.  I volunteered at school.  My house was usually clean, and my family and I had plenty of quality time together.   Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

As we burn our sparklers and watch fireworks, I always like to take a few minutes to remember those who are less fortunate than we are (to live without freedom) as well as those who protect our country and keep it safe. It's a little tricky to explain all of the meaning wrapped up in this day to the kids, though, so I did a little research and found a great resource online at www.kaboose.com. Author Kim Moon does a great job explaining what July 4 means in the USA, and how it all happened, in kid-friendly terms. Enjoy your holiday!  Read More

by Anonymous

This blog was submitted to our sister site, Triad Moms on Main, after a survey and news feature on underage drinking in their area. It was thought-provoking for the Triad readers, and we're betting that ourTriangle readers will also have some input. Let us know what you think!
 
I have a couple of friends who allow their teenagers to have parties. The parents provide the beer as long as no one leaves the house. They tell me, “Well, they are going to do it anyway, so at least they are safe here and not out driving.” I have been trying to determine what I think about that, and my answer on the survey has helped clarify my murky feelings.

First of all, I think we Americans are a bit silly about drinking. We have made it OK to die for your country at the age of 18, but not OK to have a drink until you are 21. So do I think allowing a teenager to taste a sip of fine wine at a nice dinner is a terrible thing? Well, no. However, I cannot condone what my friends allow their teens to do. Read More

by guest blogger Julie Giljames

From my sweet little five year old . . .

As we sit down for dinner one Saturday, my husband returning from washing his hands asks, "Who left some kids in the pool?"  (AKA "Who forgot to flush?")

The denial started, and the mystery began to be unraveled. It seems that only one of my two sons had been inside in the last hour.  The interrogation follows.

Dad: "Well if your brother and I stayed outside then who- WHO could it be?" Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

When someone asks “What’s your favorite way to spend the day with your child in Raleigh?” how do you respond?  Without a doubt, I’d recommend a visit to Marbles Kids Museum. Clearly, many of you agree – Marbles won TWO Mom’s Choice Awards!

In addition to winning the Mom’s Choice Award for the Triangle’s Best Children’s Museum, our area moms also voted Marbles as the Best Place to hold a Child’s Birthday Party. When they say “so much to do” they are not kidding! But we’ll talk about that in a minute…For those of you who have not yet discovered all of the wonders of Marbles, let’s get you caught up.  Read More

by guest blogger Cara McLauchlan

“What are you doing this summer?” is one of my favorite questions to ask.

I love living vicariously through other people’s cool plans of trips to the beach, mountain visits, fun excursions and neat-o camps. The best answer I have heard comes from a fellow homeschooling buddy who said “I’m having a Thomas Jefferson style summer.” Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

As a young adult, I had a blast working at a YMCA Day Camp during my summers off from school. Now that I am a parent, I view my Y experiences in a whole new light. What better way to ensure that your children are being well-cared for in a positive environment AND having a great time with great friends? The YMCA of the Triangle Area has many options for working and at-home parents alike, and is a wonderful (and fun!) choice to help nurture your children and allow them to discover more about themselves.

Moms all over the Triangle agree! That's why our local YMCA programs won TWO 2011 Mom's Choice Awards: Best Summer Camp (YMCA Day Camp) and Best Afterschool and/or Sports Program! There are tons of ways to get your children involved, and so many branch locations to work with! Let's start with the YMCA Summer Day Camp options.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

In honor of Father's Day today, we're going a shout-out to all the boys out there...Many of you know that I am expecting a baby boy in early October, and I already have a little girl. My mommy friends keep mentioning how much fun it is to have boy children, and how different boys are from girls. However, I received an email from a childhood friend who has two sons, and I think this says it all. Brace yourself: these photos are hysterical! Read More

by guest blogger Kimberly F.

Kimberly is one of those people who seems very calm and mild-mannered...yet many of her stories feel like adventures! Case in point: an earlier guest blog entitled "Back to Work: Tales from a former Stay at Home Mom." Hope you enjoy today's tale!

I have to admit that I wasn’t really looking forward to potty training because I knew that it would mean a lot more work for me when we went out in public.  I am a bit OCD/germaphobe when it comes to public toilets (and shopping carts, restaurant high chairs, etc).  I know the day is coming (SOON) when I’ll be standing in a stall somewhere trying to keep my kid hovering over a toilet while talking her into peeing and trying to keep it from going all over me and the floor.  (See why I am so looking forward to this?  *eye roll*) Or I’ll be the reason why there is no toilet paper when you go in the stall after us (when I wrap the seat mummy-style with toilet paper).   Read More

by guest blogger Susan M.

There are things that you would think that might be the bane of my existence. Bats, perhaps. But I'll let you in on a little secret - the bane of my existence is dinner.

No really. It's dinner.

It's not so much the actual food of dinner that drives me crazy, nor, in all honestly, the family around the table part. Although, around the 40th "Why did the cow cross the road" joke, it comes pretty close. (For some inexplicable reason, this is what dinner winds up as at my house, and a refined sense of humor is clearly not in my children's genetic code.) Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Yesterday was one of those days when I just could not cool off.  It wasn't even (technically) that hot; I don't think the car-mometer got above 87 degrees. And maybe it was running errands all day that got me warmed up? Hard to say. At any rate, I found myself dusting off some of the old standby ideas about staying cool in the summer heat.

If nothing else, summertime brings a great excuse to be leisurely - playing by the pool...hiding out in a cold, dark movie theater (watching $1 movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays - see the Events calendar for more details!)...even sitting in the shade eating a popsicle is more fun on a hot day. Summer is also a good time for shopping and redecorating, depending on who you ask. Read on and find out some "cool" tips for body, spirit, and home! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

It's the moment we've all been waiting for! Let's find out who you have chosen as the cream of the crop, tip of the top, best in the Triangle...because you said so!  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

Parents of high school seniors are dabbing away tears as they prepare for this next month.  Over the next few weeks, their baby won't feel like their baby anymore!  Our hope is that most of these graduating seniors will head off to some sort of college, graduate with honors and become instant millionaires with perfect spouses and children, but we know that can be far from reality. Read More

by Lori Potter


So maybe you remember that urban legend that if you go in the dark bathroom in the night and say "Bloody Mary" three times and turn around that "Bloody Mary" will show up in the mirror. Are you with me?  Read More

by guest blogger Heather Monackey,
WakeMed Families First 

Many pools around our area opened for the season over the past week.  Although its too cold for most parents, kids are jumping into the pool regardless of the temperature.  Atthe start of every swim season, it is important to remind children young and old about how important it is to swim safe. Read More

by guest blogger Kristen Daukas, author of www.fourhensandarooster.com

You never know exactly when it happens. It just does.  From the day she started school, your daughter has always had a big circle of friends and plenty of play dates.  Then, one day it just seems that she doesn’t want to be around the friends she’s had since kindergarten or you notice the invitations seemingly dry up. You rack your brain trying to figure it out - put your finger on “what” or “when” things changed. How can you change this? What can you do? What is going on?

There’s a good chance it’s the arrival of the Mean Girls.  For many of us, this is the first real wake up call that the sweet, fun and games and innocence of childhood are truly short lived. You’re at a loss. Where are those happy, giggly, fun little girls who would play for hours on end? Hosting sleep over after sleep over and swear their un-dying love for each other with the promise of being eternal BFFs? Read More

by Katie Moosbrugger

I come from a small family. I have one brother and just eight first cousins. We all lived in New Jersey growing up - including my grandparents on both sides - so we were able to see each other often. We don't all get together as much as we'd like to now, but when we do, we always manage to have a great time. On the flip side, my husband comes from a huge family. He has nine older siblings (that's us in our wedding picture, circa 2003, surrounded by all his brothers, sisters and his mother) and he has 32 first cousins. Growing up, most of his family also lived in close proximity. And much like our family they don't all get together as often as they'd like, but when they do, good times are always had!

Having lived among a small close-knit family for 28 years before meeting my husband, you can say my horizons have been broadened. All in a good way, of course. Actually in a great way! So much so that I often wonder about something I never used to think about: Do big families actually have more fun? Could it be possible? Is it debatable? Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

So many of my friends have grown up in homes with guns. One of my favorite childhood friends grew up hunting with his dad, and now his son goes hunting with them every season; he has since he could stand up, just about. Another dear friend grew up with a father who was an incredible big-game hunter. Their home was filled with his trophies, and I mean filled: an elephant head on the wall in one room, ducks flying across the corner of another, a gi-normous bear standing tall, and many many others, all beautifully mounted and stuffed. Yet when my husband brought home a gun yesterday - and it's not like we had not talked about it - I flipped out a little.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

You know, I'm not exactly addicted, but I do love facebook...mainly because I have some hilarious FB friends! Check out these status posts from the last few weeks: Read More

by guest blogger Rachel Rankin

Hi!  I’m Rachel!  Twenty seven year old wife to Charlie and co-creator of our son, Benjamin.  I’m new here, dropping in from my personal blog, UpperBottom, to share an anecdote with you from my experience as the mother of a five month old.  He’s thirteen months old now.  And look at me, I’m still alive!  

So... Read More

by guest blogger Susan M.

So I've been catching up on my favorite shows, and have figured out what will make my life complete - a voice over track. Nothing flashy, just that voice that will calmly summarize everything so that I don't have to figure it out. You know, like this: Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

My husband came in the other day and said "okay, now let me get this straight...you want the _____ for Mother's Day, right? Are you ordering that or am I? You know it's probably not going to get here in time, right? So I am not going to get in trouble for walking in with nothing to open on Sunday?" Bless his heart for wanting to cover all his bases...but it did drive home the point that we really have nothing planned for Mother's Day.  Read More

by Rachel Hoeing, Triad MOM

Welcome to another edition of the Sunday Funnies!  This week I have compiled a list of short funnies for you that have been sent in by our readers.  All of these stories are "out of the mouths of babes," which we all know will bring a good laugh. Read More

By Jennifer Aceves, Director of Communications, M.Ed Special Education, Noble Academy

Homework Strategies for Students, including tips for those with with AD/HD

Although spring fever has hit, we still have an entire quarter left in this school year!  Once mom and dad act like the year is over, children quickly follow suit.  So, let's show our children that they still have a lot of learning left to do and support them as best we can!  Today's guest blogger shares tips on helping students with homework. Feel free to leave questions or comments at the end of the post!  ... Rachel H. Read More

by Heather Monackey, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Since 80 percent of kids ages 8 through 18 today regularly use computers, I thought it might be helpful to expand on our Watch Your Posture post and provide a few additional resources to help encourage healthy computing and offer resources for individuals who have already been impacted by monitor misery. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Did you know that this week is National Unplug Your TV week? I had no idea until I read Cara McLauchlan's blog last week about "Going Amish" - and she plans to. I don't necessarily think we should all kill our TVs entirely (because truly, what would I do without Grey's Anatomy? And I know lots of Gleeks that would, quite possibly, just die.) I'll admit, though, that TV plays a bigger role in our house than maybe it should.  Read More

by Cara McLauchlan

“Birds are awesome,” according to my 9 year-old son.

Lately we have become amateur ornithologists – or people that study birds. There is something wonderful about bird watching. It started off simple in our family. I thought it would be fun to fill a feeder and see what happened.  Read More

by Katie Moosbrugger, Triad MOM

Recently my husband and I had to make the heartbreaking decision to put down our family dog, Sheba. We think she was 15 (we were never sure since we adopted her from my husband's sister who adopted her from someone else), but she's been a constant in our lives since 2001. Because of her age she was never a dog who played much. She basically slept all day and only asked to go out and be fed. Nonetheless, we loved her dearly.

When the end was near we tried to prepare the kids little by little telling them Sheba will probably have to go to Heaven soon. They didn't fully understand, of course, and surprisingly they didn't seem too upset. I told my daughter we were probably going to have to take Sheba to the doctor soon so he could send her to Heaven, and she replied, "Mommy, the doctor can't push Sheba back into Heaven."

So began our struggle with life's most difficult topic...  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Courtney, one of my favorite college roommates, lives just outside of Nashville, TN. She has a 2-year old son and a 4-year old daughter, and they are as silly and funny as she is. For example... Read More

by Shannon Ford

This week my husband is traveling for work…again.  It’s one of those weeks when he is in a different time zone, and I feel like he is deployed to corporate America.  In fact, we haven’t spoken at all today – only texting.   And we all know how effective that communication tool can be.  It would be nice to Skype, however, his company laptop has no camera – oh, and the battery is shot so he always needs an electrical outlet to use the computer. Read More

By Katie Moosbrugger

For those of you who've been following us for a while, you'll remember Rachel's original post on this subject. She questioned  "how old is too old" for a son to accompany his mother in a public ladies' room. The whole "how old is too old" question created quite a conversation when we first ran it on a different website/blog. So we thought it would be fun to approach this subject again from a different angle. Today's question is "How old is too old for your children to see you naked?" Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

This is an old story that I remembered the other day and it will never not-be funny... Read More

by guest blogger Lori Potter

A friend of mine recently asked via Facebook status for books on Potty Training. I said I'd message her some of my tips but thought...why not just blog it. I've successfully potty trained 3 girls (and by successfully I mean that none of them have/or will start Kindergarten in diapers); I've got a few tips.

I have potty training on my to-do list with Jacob and I'm hoping by sorting out some of my thoughts on the matter it might motivate me to move that further up on the list. I've been buying diapers for more than 8 years - I'm done!  Read More

Content for this blog was provided by Eco-Smart Parent

Did you know that it's National Wildlife Week? From March 13 through the 20th, the National Wildlife Federation will be celebrating wildlife, with each day featuring a special group:

Monday – Wildlife that Fly
Tuesday – Wildlife that Climb and Dig
Wednesday – Wildlife that Swim
Thursday – Wildlife that Hop and Leap
Friday – Wildlife that Run and Crawl  Read More

By Guest Blogger, Michelle Bostian LCSW, Lower School Counselor for Greensboro Day School

We all value honesty and we want so much to instill this in our children.  But what do we do when the questions they ask back us into a corner?  "Mommy, why did you say on the phone you were sick last week?"  "How exactly does a baby get out of the mommy's tummy?"  "On the news the man said someone was raped, what is "raped"?"   Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Hello. My name is Kristen and I am spendy. I am! It's terrible. Actually, our whole generation is spendy, and as far as I can tell, we are also used to getting what we want. I moan and groan some days about being a working parent, but honestly, I chose this path, and it helps us to live a pretty comfortable lifestyle. I do budget, but I can usually find a way to adapt for the "need" of the moment. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

As spring gets underway, the options for activities are endless. There are tons of choices all over the Triangle, and many of them are listed here on our Events page. The calendars are always being updated, so don't forget to check back continually throughout the month.  Read More

By Katie Moosbrugger, Triad MOM

Today's "Sunday Funnies" is dedicated to all the men we love in our lives. They're always out to fix something - and they won't settle until they find a solution. Sometimes they leave you in awe; sometimes they leave you in wonder. Either way, here's to them for trying! Maybe you've seen some of these pics that illustrate their resourcefulness. A viral email is circulating showcasing the following pictures and captions...below are a few of my favorites and they're hilarious. Kudos to www.ThereIFixedIt.com and www.Funzu.com for capturing these shots.

So, if you need to ask the man in your life to fix something, don't show him these photos first. It might be fodder for disaster! These are priceless... Read More

By Rachel Hoeing, Triad MOM

My first child was a boy, so since he was born, I have always taken him into the Ladies’ Restroom with me when we are out in public. He just turned six, and I guess I got so used to doing this that it never really crossed my mind that there will come a point when he needs to go into the Men’s Room alone. My family went out for dinner a few months ago, and when I got up to use the restroom my son said he had to go as well, so we trotted off together to the ladies room. When we got back my husband immediately said, “You can’t do that anymore! He is way too old to be in there with you!” For the first time I had to stop and think, “How old is too old?”  Read More

by guest blogger Amber O'Neal

My good friend  Kristen has asked me to guest blog about “fashion or food” because she knows I love to shop and likes my sense of fashion (and food because my husband is in the restaurant biz). But neither of those are on my mind today. However, in case you are wondering, I am wearing a vintage black wool blazer (my grandmother’s), Rock & Republic dark denim bootcut jeans, white T-shirt, platform shoes and a long necklace. Even my hubby said I look “hot” today…and the soup of the day is Beer Cheese.  Read More

 by Shannon Ford

It is wonderful to find the time and money to go out to eat as a family these days.  Sometimes it is not as enjoyable as we would like it to be as a mommy.  There are always the expected events – dirty diapers or bathroom runs with the kids, long waits at peak times, fighting over who gets to sit beside of mommy, etc.  Orders are taken, everyone is somewhat settled, and the meal arrives. Read More

 by Shannon Ford

Let's face it: Most of us will have dirty diapers to change at least until age two. In the summer months, it doesn't pose as much of a problem for me when we are out and about. If a diaper change is necessary, I don't hesitate to change my son in the back seat or back of my SUV. However, this is not an option for me when it is cold and/or pouring rain. I don't want to stand in the rain, and I'm certainly not going to expose my child's legs and bum to the frigid temperatures.  Read More

by Cara McLauchlan

I just bought freedom. It was only ten bucks.

There is something oxymoronic about saying "I just bought freedom." It has the same funky feeling as "grandma, put the saw down." It simply does not go together. Yet, I gladly paid my ten dollars for it.

If you haven't heard of "freedom" -- it's a new application you can download to your computer that will not let you connect to the Internet for a certain period of time. (www.macfreedom.com) Some super-genius is now getting severely wealthy over the fact that I (and probably you too) cannot get anything done anymore because we are constantly distracted. 

I really bought it for my 9 year-old son. Please don't tell him though. I secretly love turning freedom on and then walking away from the computer. Minutes later I hear the frustrated sighs and then "mom, the Internet's not working!" I fake the irritated face and say "darn that Internet! That thing never works."

Then he is forced to do the amazing -- find something to do. Something wonderful without technology -- like read a book, use his imagination, make a paper airplane or draw. Not only is this forced Internet break great for 9 year-olds, it also works perfectly on adults.

What's ironic is freedom is something I have had all along, yet it took paying for it to see how much I was missing. Now if I could only get it to work on the TV....

 Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Well, we've hit another milestone...Poopsie has survived her very first stomach bug. No parent wants to be woken at 2am with a sick child, but you definitely don't want your sick child to be sitting in a pile of barf when you go in to take care of her. (Yes, I said it.)  Read More

by guest blogger Susan M.

I laugh at things. A lot. Perhaps more than I should, and these things are often at my children's expense.
I tell stories. A lot of them. Mostly to hide my own fear of how badly I've screwed my kids up, or to illustrate that yes, I do realize how ill-behaved my sweet boy appears to, well, most everyone. A funny story hides a million sins. Read More

by guest blogger Susan M.

No matter how many times I read this post from my sister, it never gets old (even though it actually is a little old at this point). Maybe it's because we've all been there?

You know that as a parent you will make sacrifices for your children. Giving up your favorite cocktail, your sanity, going to the bathroom alone... the list is long and twisty. It's a well-advertised parental issue. "Your life is no longer your own," the experienced parents warn you. "Better go out on that last dinner date before the baby comes." Read More

 by Cara McLauchlan

"Eating a warm meal nourishes the body, preparing it nourishes the soul."

I wish I had written that -- but I actually read it in a magazine today. I think it's amazing that not everyone feels this way. Actually, I don't always feel this way. Cooking is one of those things that I find sometimes satisfying and other times overrated.  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing, Triad Moms on Main

In true spirit of the holidays, I am honoring the first big shopping Saturday in December with a gift idea post!  I am sure most of you have seen this item, but I wanted to highlight it because it was one of my favorite gifts last year.  My mom gave this Hallmark Recordable book to my children last Christmas.  She gave them this version of "The Night Before Christmas" as an early gift on Christmas Eve.  When the kids opened the present, they were ready to throw it aside as a "boring book."  But, Nana had them sit next to her, as she opened the cover and pressed the button.  Instead of hearing an anonymous voice read this story to them, it was Nana herself!  The children were glowing with excitement.  They listened intently to the recording and turned the pages as Nana's voice read to them.  Read More

by guest blogger Lori P.
As a mom of four kids (ages 7 to 2), I hear these statements A LOT:
- How do you do it? I can barely handle my <insert any number less than 4 here> kids
- Did you plan for that many?
- Kept on trying until you got that boy, huh? and
- Really? 4?? Read More

Today's post comes from local mom and writer Cara McLachlan. A big thank you to Cara for sharing her thoughts! Please check out her blog, Joy Goggles, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
 
I like order. I especially like it when it comes to the holidays. Tradition trumps chaos as a theme of comfort to me during this season. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

I am constantly being questioned by friends about how I am able to get everyone ready for school in thirty minutes.  There are many things in my life that need some work, but our morning routine seems to be one thing I can say we actually do well.  So here it is folks – the secrets to the morning routine in the Hoeing household!  If you are another mom who has a great routine, please share some pointers with our readers below. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

As we got changed for bed last night, my toddler walked into the closet (stark naked, clutching her new pink undies) to help me put her shoes away. Spotting her new ladybug costume, she said “Hey mommy what’s that?” I took the costume down to show her and replied “Oh look, Peanut! It’s your Halloween costume. A LADYbug, isn’t that so much fun?”  Read More

By Guest Blogger Barbie Pilla

A few months ago, www.AllModernBaby.com contacted us and asked if we could do a review of some of their products. Since most of their products are geared towards infants and toddlers (and our children are older than that), we asked loyal reader Barbie P (mother to a three-year-old and a seven-month-old) to seek out some fun items, try them out with her daughters, and write about her experiences. Here's what she had to say! - KM Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

When your first friend finds out she’s pregnant, it creates a snowball effect. Before you know it, everyone is having babies, which also means everyone is having baby showers! Whether you are attending a shower for a first-time mom, a veteran mom, or a mom of an adopted child, you want your gift to be one that is not only appreciated, but remembered! Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

My husband and I absolutely loathe the thought of paying a sitter.  We love our date nights and know they are sometimes necessary in order to get quality adult time, but the cost of a night out can add up quickly!  Then there are those of us who also need sitters or nannies during the day in order to work, run errands, hit the doctor, etc.  I think it is important to talk to other moms about what you pay your sitters, so that you are not the mom who is underpaying or even overpaying!

Here are some rates below that we think can serve as a generic rule for paying a sitter.  I think these rates are very fair. I also base payment on whether or not the sitter can drive. If I have to pick up the babysitter and/or take her home, I usually pay a little less than if she can drive herself. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing 

One day when I asked my daughter to do something that she wasn’t too crazy about doing, she looked at me and replied with a bit of sass, “I’d Rather Stick Pins in My Eyeballs.” You might be thinking. “Oh, she is going through the teenager attitude phase right?” No, the girl is FOUR! I couldn’t believe when that came out of her mouth! Initially, it struck me as funny and I could not help but laugh. Then I asked her where she had heard that and she replied, “High School Musical.” I know what you are thinking – “It is HIGH SCHOOL musical, Rachel, not PRESCHOOL musical, of course she is going to hear things like that and mimic what they do.” Read More

By Guest Blogger, Kelly Gunzenhauser


So I thought I was getting off easy when my younger son came along and we were blessed with a child who had the sunniest disposition I have ever seen. He was a content, easy baby. Now, as a two-year-old, he kisses his preschool teachers after they change his diapers and tells everyone who will listen that he loves them. He can get a little feisty with his friends, but he’s usually a piece of cake at home.  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

How can you guarantee a relaxing, peaceful holiday? Keep everyone FULL and happy! The main course at the holidays varies from family to family, but one thing we all always need are good munchies! Appetizers, starters, hors d'oeuvres ... whatever you like to call them, make sure you have plenty on hand and you'll have a house of smiles throughout the holiday season. Read More

By Guest Blogger Jamie Southern

If you have children, then your life has been touched by the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes is all about babies – those born healthy and those that need help to survive and grow. It’s an organization that advocates for the needs of moms and babies. This organization is trying to make sure that all babies are born healthy by preventing birth defects and prematurity and eliminating infant mortality. The March of Dimes’ largest fundraiser each year is the March for Babies walk. The 2010 Winston-Salem walk will be held April 17th at Bolton Park. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

Today’s post is not only for new moms. Today we need a collaborative effort from all you veteran moms, too! New moms need help when it comes time to register for baby gear. I have compiled a list of the top items recommended from some of our readers. These are just suggestions, and we know that every family has different priorities, so please add your thoughts by commenting below and letting us know what baby items you loved and which ones were a flop. New items are constantly coming out, so if you recently registered, please share any new items with us that you added to your list. Here are our MUST HAVES: Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

For parents with children of all ages, this is a tough decision. Some parents feel that when they don’t help their child, they are not involved enough in their schoolwork. Others feel that if they help too much, they are not teaching their child how to be responsible. I have asked teachers from all different grade levels to please give us advice on how to handle homework with our children. These are just a few opinions from teachers that I highly respect. Most importantly, please remember that any decision such as this one should be based on the individual child. You know your children best and you also know what may hinder or help them. Read the advice below and use what you can! Thanks so much to all these wonderful teachers for taking time to give us their “two cents”! Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

I recently reached out to a few moms I know who have a knack for balancing work and home life. I think these tips are terrific even for stay-at-home moms. We all need a few extra hours in our day, and these are some great ideas on how to make that happen …


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By Katie Moosbrugger

I just saw the movie The Lovely Bones, and even though it’s been years since reading the book, I cried just the same. The story begins with the murder (and implied rape) of a young girl who, for the rest of the story, narrates her experiences from Heaven as she and her family seek revenge. It’s a tough story – both to watch and to read – but it sheds light on an important and harrowing lesson all parents must somehow communicate and confront with their children. I think the scariest part is knowing Susie Salmon, the main character in the story, is 14-years-old (an age when you’d think she’d know better than to get in such a situation) and was lured by her neighbor (not necessarily a “stranger”) into a remote place where the crime was committed.  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing and Guest Blogger, Dr. William Satterwhite,Twin City Pediatrics

Spring has sprung! The weather has been beautiful lately and nothing made me happier than the fact that my children played outside for literally seven hours on Saturday! They have usually been the type to beg for TV or Wii after just 20 minutes of being outside, but they are slowly starting to realize that a day with nothing to do can be terrific! Neighbors came over and they played on the swingset, made up obstacle courses, played "dragon slayer," zoo keeper, and many other made-up games. My hope is that this will continue throughout the spring and summer months! Read More

 

By Katie Moosbrugger

Last summer we entered into a new era of big kid play-dates. Forget playing for just a few hours, now those dates all end with, "Mommy Can She Sleep Over?" I'm not surprised, though. My daughter Emily, who is now six, actually started having sleep-overs at the ripe age of four. I know, gasp! However we come from a large family (my children have over 20 cousins) so sleeping in the same room with other kids at a very young age has been impossibly unavoidable.
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By Katie Moosbrugger

I will never forget the words one mom said to me when my first born was just six months old. She told me she was “too busy to play with her kids.” At the time she was a stay-at-home mom and her children were in elementary school full-time. She did not have any work or volunteer obligations. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure she also had a hired maid, a husband who helped with dinner preparations and a laundry list of babysitters she used non-stop. All that, but she was still too busy, she said.

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By Steve J. Hodges, MD
Pediatric Urologist at Brenner Children's Hospital

Everyone has a different strategy when it comes to potty-training your children.  I have even heard of different tactics for boys vs. girls.  Today, we are going to get a doctor's perspective on the entire issue.  I hope some of these ideas from Dr. Hodges will help you when it comes time to train your little one.

There are two main questions most parents have about toilet training: 1) When should I toilet train my child? and 2) How should I toilet train my child? Unfortunately, there aren’t any straight answers to either question. Not that you won’t find a lot of opinions, but very few of them are based on scientific fact, just anecdotal views. Read More

By Guest Blogger, Kathleen Thorell

I knew my daughter had a small bladder when we potty trained her at age three. All my friends were telling stories of their children, the “camels” who were going hours and hours without ever having to go on the potty. This was so foreign to me. My daughter easily went every 30 minutes. Gradually, her bladder matured and she can now make it several hours without going. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing


Materials: Scrapbook paper
Photos (4 x 6 vertical and horizontal shots)
8 x 10 Frames
Scrapbook photo tape or scotch tape
Optional: artwork from kids Read More

By Guest Blogger Michelle Bostian, LCSW
Lower School Counselor for Greensboro Day School

Technology … a word that evokes both fear and awe. It is bigger than our understanding of it and it will always grow faster than we can possibly keep up. I myself, have little expertise when it comes to technology. I’m learning at a pace much slower than my children, but I suppose that makes me normal. The internet is a place I sense my own fear about the things that hardly ever happen but can, and yet is the first place I turn to for unanswered questions. So how do we live in a relationship with technology and role model for our children the appropriate way to do so? Read More

By Guest Blogger, Lisa Witherspoon

“Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!” We all know the story of the boy who cried wolf, but what do we do when our own children “cry wolf?” Here are some suggestions:

First of all, it is important to understand why children lie. There are several reasons that children may not tell the truth:

•Fantasy: Children, especially younger ones, may tell made up things or things they have imagined and present them as truth. This kind of lying really does no harm as long as children can separate reality from make believe.

•Fear: This one is classic. Two children are playing; a lamp crashes to the floor; they both point at the other and say “He did it!!” This kind of lie happens because children are afraid of the consequences they will face for their actions, so they blame it on someone or something else. Read More

By Katie Moosbrugger

In my house growing up, if you weren’t playing a sport full-time then you were watching and cheering one either on TV or on the side-lines. We were a pretty athletic family – and I guess a little competitive too – but it was the basis of my upbringing. I couldn’t have imagined it any other way. Sure we tried our hand at being well-rounded in other ways, such as learning an instrument or running for student office. But it was playing sports that ultimately taught me a lot of life lessons that I still fall back on today.

And with the all the recent talk about Tiger Woods– and all the playground chatter about who’s child is playing what sport – I thought I’d dedicate today’s post to some random ponderings related to scandals, sports, scores and scheduling. But I’m just tossing out some thoughts and am hoping you’ll catch on and play the comment game at the end of this blog!  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

I consider myself a pretty nostalgic person. When we visit my parents, I can spend hours looking through old photos, reading old report cards, and browsing through my old sticker collections. I want my children to also enjoy reminiscing on their childhood. I want them to ask questions about their heritage and their relatives who passed on before they got to know them.

I have many ways that I try to create and save memories, but am always looking for more. Here are a few ideas I wanted to share today, and I would love for you to include comments at the end of this blog to give all of us more ideas on how to preserve memories for our children! Read More

By Guest Blogger, Lisa Witherspoon

- “Family is the most important thing in the world.” - Princess Diana

- “The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.” - Thomas Jefferson

These quotes remind us of the importance of family. However, in today’s busy world, it seems the only time families spend together is in the car traveling between work, school, extracurricular activities, errands, playdates, and birthday parties. Unfortunately, QUALITY family time doesn’t just happen. It takes work, so go get your overcrowded calendar. Pick a night. Write it down – “FAMILY NIGHT.” Better yet, chisel it in so that nothing can change it. Once you have done that, here are some suggestions to help you on your way.  Read More

By Guest Blogger, Kelly Sipe, Kindergarten Teacher at Greensboro Day School

One of the first things we teach our young children is to name colors. There is a great sense of parental pride as we showcase our toddler's acquisition of color knowledge. We ask them to name colors for everyone and everywhere ... at the playground, in the tub, in Target, etc. However, if a child names the color of a person's skin in the grocery store we move quickly to silence them or to divert the conversation, and then proceed to offer apologizes to those around us who may have heard your child's observation.  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

“Get Offa Me!”
“Stoooooooop it!”
“She’s touching me!”
“He’s bothering me!”
“That’s mine!”

If you are familiar with these phrases, thank goodness because that means I am not alone. If you are not familiar with these phrases, then it means your kids don’t fight and I need you to please offer me some suggestions today!

My children fight like cats and dogs. I have one boy, almost seven, and one girl, almost five. They have fought like this from the moment my daughter could reach out and take things from my son. It is pretty much all day, every day when they are together. Spring Break gave me a reminder of what the summer would entail – long hot days with sweaty, whiny kids, who are hanging on me and fighting with each other. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

Ever since Redbox came along, movie nights have gotten to be a big deal around our house. Who can resist when it only costs $1.00, right? We have yet to give Netflix a try, but I would like to do so since there are so many older movies that we love, too! Read More

By Rachel Hoeing and Allison Tobey


Although children usually do not want more work after surviving a long day at school, completing homework, and playing sports, we have some tried and true after-school activities that will help boost brain power without the kids even knowing it! These are also great ideas on how to keep your child’s brain active on snow days, long car rides, or rainy Saturday or Sunday afternoons. These have all been child tested and mother approved in our houses! We have a variety of ideas for toddlers and up. Read below for ideas to keep brains active for children of all ages without them even knowing that they are … shhhhh … learning! Read More

By Cherrie Welch, M.D., M.P.H. Neonatologist and Pediatrician at Brenner Children’s Hospital

One of a mother's first decisions is "Should I breastfeed my new baby?" There are many opinions as to what choice a new mom should make. As a pediatrician and neonatologist, I am always encouraging new mothers to breastfeed their infants. In my opinion, it’s one of the most important first decisions a new mom makes and can significantly impact how a baby develops and grows. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing and Guest Blogger W.M. Satterwhite, III

Happy Fathers’ Day! We hope that all of our readers are enjoying this day with the dads in their lives. Since today is all about dads, we thought it was a perfect time to run a guest blog from a dad whom I truly admire, Dr. William Satterwhite. He is our pediatrician at Twin City Peds, and always seems to have the best advice. I hope you enjoy his story below and enjoy an everlasting day of your own! - RH

Beginning in the mid-1990s, I began experiencing debilitating pain in both feet and my left knee, reducing my previously active, then thirty-something-year-old body to that of a pained spectator of life, sitting rather than running, (or even walking), observing rather than participating. The joyful physical expression of life God had given me had been leached away by the pain of simply standing. My heart has mourned the loss of that part of me for years, but that mourning has increased as my older son has grown. Now taller than my wife, this thin, thirteen-year-old towering mass of awkwardness knew a father he only partly knows. The grey matter in his head contains nothing more than photo-album-memories of an active Dad. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

Some of my girlfriends and I started talking about Thank You Notes the other day and I thought it would be a great topic of discussion for all you moms out there. Here are the facts – yes, thank you notes are often redundant when you have already thanked someone in person. Yes, they are a pain to write. Yes, they are time consuming. Yes, it is easier to send an email than waste a stamp. But we all agreed that thank you notes should be sent as often as possible. We all had the “old school” opinion that receiving a thank you note in the mail shows that the recipient was genuinely touched by your gift. It shows an appreciation for the time spent in choosing that perfect gift. It also sets a good example for your kids.

One area that we discussed was Children’s Birthday Parties. It seems that the new trend is to open gifts after the party. For this reason, we all agreed that it is very considerate to send thank you notes since the giver did not see the child open it.  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

Did you know that Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 9 - 15, 2009? This is a perfect time to be a positive role model for your children. “Random Acts of Kindness” are ways that we can make others feel better, or bring joy into their lives without wanting or accepting any credit. I still remember years ago when Oprah aired a whole segment on acts of kindness. That same year, as I was in line for a fast food drive-thru, I got to the window and discovered that the driver in front of me had paid for my meal! It was such a wonderful gesture! I have done the same thing for others a few times since then, and it honestly made me smile the rest of the day, thinking about how happy it may have made that person. I have listed a few ideas for families below.

I got these ideas from the website www.actsofkindness.org. Visit it to get even more ideas for kids or communities. I personally think that many of these ideas are made even better when you do them anonymously! Share these ideas with your children and choose a few to do during Random Acts of Kindness Week. Hopefully it will make all of you feel so good that you will continue to do things like this all year through! Read More

By Guest Blogger Kate Larrabee, author of the blogs: Daffoldil's and Three Little Army Wives

For most families, holiday traditions revolve around cookies for Santa at Christmas, or searching for eggs from the Easter Bunny, and maybe even breakfast in bed on your birthday. Well, not in my family. For my three brothers and me, our favorite traditions included trying to catch the leprechaun on St. Patty’s day and going to the Pumpkin Patch in October. I had no idea this was a little strange until I first told my husband about the intricate and elaborate traps we would create on March 16^th in hopes that in the morning, the leprechaun would be stuck. We never did catch him, but he always did leave us gold-wrapped chocolate coins. At the time, my husband was still just a boyfriend and I think seriously considered breaking up with me. Apparently trying to catch mythical creatures on obscure holidays was not his family’s idea of fun.  Read More

by Rachel Hoeing

Today we are going to focus on nighttime and how to avoid chaos before bed as well as avoiding the “Mooooom, I want a glass of water” routine! Read More

by guest blogger Susan M.

Oh, hi there.

Things have been merrily rolling along here in the McG household. Summer is over, thank goodness, W has put his head underwater without being pushed, F can dive into the pool on purpose, and K survived her first week of sleep-away camp. Read More