Search Results for: blog perception is reality

Perception is Reality

I am the world’s biggest complainer. Just kidding. Sort of. Ok, not really. Well, maybe… but at least I am not in denial. Actually, I willingly admit to my fault and actively work to eliminate complaints from my conversations. But, it hasn’t always been this way. I’ve been a complainer since I was a teenager, but interestingly, I didn’t realize the extent of my bad habit until I became a parent. How many times have you done this: You and the rest of your clan gear up for a weekend getaway to the beach? Overall, the trip is pretty darn … Continue reading →

Research Confirms the “Parenting Happiness Gap”

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There has been debate over which group of people are happier: parents, or people who do not have children. In general, this argument relies on individual people’s perceptions based on their own experiences. Research has confirmed that the “parenting happiness gap” exists. The correlating factors that make parents less happy than non-parents has a lot to do with where the parents live. The “parenting happiness gap” is a phrase that sums up a reality that may surprise some people. No matter what country you live in, or what stage of life you may be at, people who do not have … Continue reading →

Curbing Bad Behavior: Biting

Once bitten, twice shy. Or in my daughter’s case, indefinitely shy. And in my case, infinitely outraged. Last year, my child was on the receiving end of a serious bite.  Not by a spider, a dog, nor a snake, but by a boy diagnosed with a developmental disorder. My daughter’s bloody injury required emergency medical treatment.  Fortunately, her tetanus shot was up-to-date, so she wasn’t forced to endure a booster. Despite the passage of time, the details of that traumatic day are still seared in my memory.  As I learned from the attending physician, human bites can be far more dangerous than … Continue reading →

Do NOT Reply All

Dear parents of school-age children, It’s not necessary to “reply all” to every single email sent from your child’s teacher… especially if your kid is in the same class as ours. Sincerely, Parents for the Prevention of Reply All Abuse Look, I’m all for open communication, especially when it involves parents and educators, and despite my glaring absence on Facebook, I really do appreciate the advantages associated with digital messaging.  However, when it comes to emails and the “reply all” function, I’m a real hater. I’m not a huge fan of checking emails to begin with, so when I see … 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 →

What’s the Most Important Parenting Skill?

  Patience, forgiveness, empathy?  What is the most important parenting skill? Good parenting isn’t presented to us at baby showers or as a parting gift from hospital staff following 21 hours of labor.  So, how do you acquire the skills needed to raise decent human beings?  Moreover, what are the most important qualities needed to ensure your child is able to grow into a valuable member of society? Patience:  Wash, dry, fold, break up fights, chauffeur, shop, cook, clean, repeat… over and over again.  After years of this monotony it’s no wonder many parents find it challenging to be patient … Continue reading →

Do Natural Cleaners Really Work?

I talk a lot about using natural cleaners. I really don’t like putting all those chemicals into the air and water. At times I wonder if vinegar, baking soda and the like really clean as well as the chemical concoctions. After all, perception is reality and when I smell those cleaners I perceive that things are cleaner. When I use and baking soda there is no telltale cleaner smell, so is it really doing the job? Well, today I found out that vinegar really does clean. And it cleans those hard to clean things that are an embarrassment. I’m so … Continue reading →

A Moment’s Notice

In the past several days our family has been on a rollercoaster ride. It started with a phone call from my son’s recruiter asking what day he graduates. I received the call on a Tuesday and I told him that my son graduates Thursday. They had a job for him and wanted him to leave Wednesday morning. I was in shock. Really? We could actually be facing a last minute send off like this? I was so grateful that he wasn’t going to graduate in time for this job. My emotions were all over the place. This wasn’t the way … Continue reading →

Why?

How many times a day do you utter that word? If you are a parent of a toddler, then “why?” is a question you are likely inundated with from sunup to sundown. While a child may ask it in innocence, out of curiosity or just plain habit, adults typically mutter it in times of pain, desperation, and dismay. Why is this happening? Why now? Why me? How can three simple letters, which form one short syllable, open the floodgates to a massive deluge of despondence? I know a lot of mommy bloggers who use this medium to ask why. Often … Continue reading →

Humana Sues After Problems From Ad on Limbaugh’s Show

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In the news recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the nasty comments that Rush Limbaugh said on his radio show about Sandra Fluke. The result was that several of the companies that had ads that aired during his show left. Now, Humana is suing because of the backlash they received due to one of those ads. Rush Limbaugh is a conservative radio personality, who is very well known. He has a history of making statements that are controversial. More than once, his comments have crossed the line from being entertaining to being mean spirited and nasty. One … Continue reading →