Search Results for: blog hitting close to home

Hitting Close to Home

A few weeks ago our washing machine died after suffering a long and agonizing battle with a litany of ailments. As luck would have it, dealing with the death of the washer paled in comparison to coordinating the delivery of a new machine with a well-known big-box appliance retailer. “I’m about to pull out all my hair,” I exclaimed after hanging up the phone with what had to be the most unprofessional customer representative outside of the commercial aviation industry. “Oh Mommy,” my 7-year-old daughter responded a bit sheepishly. “I don’t think you will look good bald.” She’s right. Actually, … Continue reading →

Hitting the Road for the Fourth of July

According to AAA, today is one of the busiest travel days of the year. Many travelers are hitting the road today in anticipation of the long holiday weekend. And lest you think that the record high gas prices are fueling families to put the brakes on their Fourth of July travel plans, think again. The drop in numbers should be barely recognizable. A new AAA report out today forecasts that 40 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more over the Fourth. That represents a 1.3% drop from last year and the first decline in 10 years. However, travel analysts … Continue reading →

October: Adoption Blog Month in Review

In the adoption blogs for October you’ll find several series: one series on research on “how adopted children turn out” and the genes-vs.-environment question, one on giving back and how adoption makes the world seem a bit smaller, and one on single parent adoption. Media reviews included a workbook helping parents imagine what an inter-country move might be like for their child and think through related decisions. I also reviewed a wonderful resource for parents who think their child may have been exposed to alcohol prenatally. Another review was of an incredible story of an Ethiopian woman who runs two … Continue reading →

Reason I am Glad I Homeschool: School Decisions

My heart bleeds right now for the parents of all the kids that were hurt and killed this week during tornadoes. Days like this make me pull mine closer, and make me very glad we homeschool. I realize the parents of these kids could do nothing to protect them, and I fault no one in the disasters, but when my kids were in school, I remember to trauma that was caused to my kids and me, just from a tornado warning. I would not wish days like that on my worst enemy. Four years ago, when my kids were in … Continue reading →

Preparing Your Home For Your Vacation

The other day I wrote a blog, which featured simple steps to take to prevent thieves from breaking into your home while you are on vacation. Although it’s difficult to completely safeguard your home from attempted burglaries, there are measures you can take to not attract attention to your empty home. I will list a few in this blog. In addition, I will provide other suggestions to safeguard your home (not necessarily from burglars) that you may want to consider adding to your pre-vacation checklist. · Before leaving your home—close ground-floor curtains to prevent thieves from “window shopping.” Some people … Continue reading →

Fun Ideas for a Spring Staycation this Year

  For some families, spring break is almost here.  Having a week or two off from school is the ultimate idea of fun for many kids, but for moms and dads the seasonal vacation can be dreadful, especially if money is tight. Fortunately, you don’t have to drop thousands of dollars to make your child’s spring break memorable.  With the price of gas hitting record highs, millions of families are opting to stay close to home this season.  The idea of taking a staycation is even more tempting when you consider how much money you can save while still having … Continue reading →

Abuse of Everyday Products

When my children were younger, I always made sure all medicines were locked up and in a spot they couldn’t be reached. Now that they are teens, it isn’t a concern…but apparently it should be. A new study just came out that says teens are starting to abuse over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. We’re not talking prescription medication (which of course, can also be a problem) but everyday medicines such as decongestants and cough syrup. Hey, it’s easy access. And it’s becoming more common because of the increased efforts to keep illicit drugs out of their hands. The study also indicates that … Continue reading →

Common Sense Money-Savers

You don’t need to be a financial guru in order to save on a family vacation. Rather, all you need is a little common sense. By following these simple tips the next time you head out on a seasonal escape, you can spare your wallet a major dent: Stay with Family or Friends: By staying with a loved one instead of at a hotel, you can save a ton of money. However, there are certain rules to consider so that you don’t burn your accommodation bridge, including not overstaying your welcome. It’s important to leave when you say you are … Continue reading →

Summer Reading Series: Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet

What do Three Billy Goats Gruff and Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet have in common? Believe it or not; an important lesson in parenting. Allow me to explain. A few months ago, my daughter’s second grade class decided to put on a play. Yup. Three Billy Goats Gruff. Tryouts were held and my seven-year-old did her best to score the part she had her heart set on: Baby Goat. Fortunately, I had enough time to emotionally prepare her in case she didn’t get the coveted role. “That’s okay, Mommy,” she reasoned “if I don’t get to be the Baby … 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 →