Search Results for: blog birthing moms go glam for facebook

Not-So Friendly Side of Facebook

By now you know that Facebook is considering allowing kids under 13 onto the site. Sure, there’s talk of mandatory parental supervision and speculation that the under 13 section will be ad free, but let’s get real here; this is Facebook were talking about. The social media phenomenon currently states that users must be 13 years or older; yet a recent Microsoft study published in AdAge estimates that more than 7.5 million underaged kids are already on Facebook, and a huge chunk of them got there with their parents’ help. Parents, who are virtually clueless about the ever-changing privacy setting … Continue reading →

The Flipside of Facebook

“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” While you’re pondering that philosophical mind bender, answer this: “If I’m not on Facebook, am I missing out on much?” My parenting co-blogger Stephanie just posted a piece on how the popular social media platform can be a source of destruction if you don’t exercise prudence while communicating in the virtual world made up of real-life friends and family. Interestingly, while reading Stephanie’s blog I discovered that her teenage son and I share a common bond. Neither one of us … Continue reading →

Birthing Moms Go Glam for Facebook

I am not on Facebook, and don’t have any plans to create an account. This, of course, means I am out of the loop about certain events and incidents, especially since I have a number of friends who communicate exclusively via Facebook. Prime example: One of my childhood friends from Hawaii recently gave birth to a baby boy. Whereas I heard (via telephone) from another friend that my pal had a natural birth and the baby was in good health, I had no clue what Junior and his mom looked like post-birth because I was not able to view the … Continue reading →

Your Presence is the Best Present

Forget about the fancy triple chocolate cookie pops, the pricey heart covered Build-a-Bear, and the massive red and white mylar balloon bouquet you were planning to gift your child with this Valentine’s Day.  Save your money and present your son or daughter with your presence on February 14th and in the days, weeks and months that follow. While candy, stuffed animals and shiny inflatables typically rank high on a child’s Valentine’s Day gift wish list, most kids would likely trade in the treats for one-on-one time with mom and dad. Life is hard enough for youngsters, so knowing that they … Continue reading →

Can You Really Afford Cable?

Forget about alcohol, tobacco, Facebook or chocolate; cable TV is one of the most addicting entities around. Just ask the kids who spend hours upon hours watching it. Then, ask the parents who use it as a babysitter. These days it doesn’t take much to get moms and dads to admit that they’ve used cable to keep their kids occupied. Got an important phone call to make, turn on Nick Jr. Want to use the bathroom in peace, switch it to Cartoon Network. Desperate for a few minutes of uninterrupted me time, Disney Channel to the rescue. Cable is undoubtedly … Continue reading →

Online Popularity Contest

A warning to parents: Excessive use of Facebook = depressed kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that equation to be 100% true. So, all you moms and dads with Facebook obsessed kids: Be afraid. Be very afraid. I am not on Facebook. Consequently, my second grader has no clue that the social networking site exists. Thus, zero exposure to Facebook = darn happy kid. Despite this fact, I will try to remain humble and not turn this post into an exercise in self-validation. Rather, I will just stick to the facts. According to the AAP, a link exists … Continue reading →

Virtual Brag Book

I’m a parent, but I’m not on Facebook. So, if you want to see random photos of my cute kid, you have to come to my house or check in with this blog on a regular basis because I’m not looking to hop on the Facebook bandwagon anytime soon… or ever. GASP! Right? I know. I am a member of a dying breed. Everybody’s doing it, so why am I holding out? I’m waiting for Anderson Cooper to feature me on a show dedicated to non-Facebook users under the age of 60. I’ll work it like a virgin. After all, … Continue reading →

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to…

Summer is primetime for family vacations. With kids out of school and Mother Nature providing fairly decent travel weather, many clans are taking to the skies or hitting the road on summer adventures. For some families, this year’s seasonal escapes will be hard to forget. Just ask the family who made a pit stop in Memphis on the way to their summer vacation destination. While it’s unfortunate, it is certainly not unusual these days to read headlines about parents accidently forgetting their children at Interstate rest areas, restaurants, stores or theme parks. However, it’s not every day that you hear … Continue reading →

Mommy Addictions

Two words: Downton Abbey. After a hard day scrubbing filthy floors, washing stacks of soiled dishes, sorting mountains of dirty laundry, chasing unruly kids, cooking, chauffeuring, and calming crying babies, moms deserve a break; a chance to relax, unwind and indulge in something that brings them peace, repose and otherwise rejuvenates their spirit. According to an unscientific survey, these days, those highly anticipated (though extremely rare) Mommy breaks are being spent in front of a television screen fostering an addiction to Downton Abbey. The entire universe is reportedly enraptured by the ITV/PBS drama set in early 20th Century England, but … Continue reading →

The Truth Behind the Smiles

How many of these photos did you get over the holidays? I received about 80… along with detailed Year in Review newsletters on fancy winter-themed stationery. Yesterday, I finally got around to putting away all those photos. Nearly seven dozen pictures of friends and family members showing off their pearly whites. As I stored the photo cards and newsletters I couldn’t help but think about how happy they all looked. Look at all those happy faces. Just so darn happy, happy, happy. Man, that’s a lot of happiness in one shot. Boy, what great lives they must lead. What happy, … Continue reading →