I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Nov. 2, 2011
Next week, I have to put my daughter's life in the hands of people I don't know very well.
She'll be having what a specialist has told me is "minor surgery," with a full-recovery time that can be measured in hours.
I've been informed that the procedure is routine, but -- and you can call me crazy about this -- I don't consider anything involving lasers, anesthesia and my toddler to be "minor" or "routine."
And so it comes to this: I'm scared. This is the first real thing in her short life that has actually frightened me (well, except for the time she and my husband were in a car accident nearly a year ago).
If this procedure hadn't come recommended by two doctors, who said it would improve her life significantly, my husband and I wouldn't be subjecting her to this.
I know her doctor performs these surgeries each week. I've spoken with other parents who say their children felt much better and were as good as new after similar procedures. I've also been informed that I should refrain from threatening the life of the anesthesiologist or bursting into tears while telling the doctors that I want them to treat her with the same care they'd use for their own children.
I know rationally that I should ratchet down my nervousness, but that's just not going to happen right now.
She's so young (yes, children younger than she have had the procedure)! She's so small (ditto)!
She's my only baby.
I worry. I'm a parent. It's what I do.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Repost: Study links soda consumption and violent behavior in teens
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Oct. 26, 2011
It turns out that the caffeine and sugar in sodas don't just make for hyper kids with high dental bills.
Carbonated soft drinks may also be linked to violent behavior in teens.
A study published Monday in the journal Injury Prevention noted that the consumption of soft drinks is linked with a 9 percent to 15 percent greater likelihood of aggressive behavior -- even after the scientists controlled for all sorts of demographic categories and other types of behavior.
Basically, teens who drink more than five cans of soft drinks per week are more likely to be violent, according to a Medscape summary of the study.
Note, please, that the study reports a correlation between violent teens and soda consumption, not that the soda causes the violent behavior.
Still, it's another thing to make parents think twice while grocery shopping.
Oct. 26, 2011
It turns out that the caffeine and sugar in sodas don't just make for hyper kids with high dental bills.
Carbonated soft drinks may also be linked to violent behavior in teens.
A study published Monday in the journal Injury Prevention noted that the consumption of soft drinks is linked with a 9 percent to 15 percent greater likelihood of aggressive behavior -- even after the scientists controlled for all sorts of demographic categories and other types of behavior.
Basically, teens who drink more than five cans of soft drinks per week are more likely to be violent, according to a Medscape summary of the study.
Note, please, that the study reports a correlation between violent teens and soda consumption, not that the soda causes the violent behavior.
Still, it's another thing to make parents think twice while grocery shopping.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Repost: Ending shame and secrecy about infertility
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Oct. 19, 2011
Each year, thousands of American women seek medical attention after realizing that their efforts to conceive a child naturally have been unsuccessful.
Many bear the scars of their battle with infertility in silence, wondering when or how they will become parents, often while enduring hurtful comments from loved ones and strangers alike.
This week, Redbook magazine launched a campaign to end some of the secrecy -- and the shame -- women feel about dealing with infertility.
The campaign includes regular women and celebrities alike discussing adoption, medical treatments and all the ins and outs of coping with finding that their desire for parenthood has been thwarted by their own bodies.
It's estimated that 12 percent of women in the U.S. find themselves battling infertility, which is defined as failing to get pregnant after a year if you're younger than 35, or six months if you're older than 35.
I'm among that 12 percent.
I fought a long battle to conceive kiddo and bear her to term. I am actually one of the women interviewed for Redbook's campaign and story. I'm quoted near the end of the story, and if you read to the end and click on the videos, you'll also see a video I did about the subject. My video is called "You don't have to go through it alone."
Have you or someone you love been affected by infertility?
Oct. 19, 2011
Each year, thousands of American women seek medical attention after realizing that their efforts to conceive a child naturally have been unsuccessful.
Many bear the scars of their battle with infertility in silence, wondering when or how they will become parents, often while enduring hurtful comments from loved ones and strangers alike.
This week, Redbook magazine launched a campaign to end some of the secrecy -- and the shame -- women feel about dealing with infertility.
The campaign includes regular women and celebrities alike discussing adoption, medical treatments and all the ins and outs of coping with finding that their desire for parenthood has been thwarted by their own bodies.
It's estimated that 12 percent of women in the U.S. find themselves battling infertility, which is defined as failing to get pregnant after a year if you're younger than 35, or six months if you're older than 35.
I'm among that 12 percent.
I fought a long battle to conceive kiddo and bear her to term. I am actually one of the women interviewed for Redbook's campaign and story. I'm quoted near the end of the story, and if you read to the end and click on the videos, you'll also see a video I did about the subject. My video is called "You don't have to go through it alone."
Have you or someone you love been affected by infertility?
Monday, May 27, 2013
Repost: My kid's social life is better than mine
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Oct. 12, 2011
When did my child become a social butterfly?
It occurred to me recently that my toddler has more upcoming social engagements in the next six weeks than both of her parents combined. From birthday parties to Halloween shindigs to child-centered theatrical productions, she'll be on the go for the next several weekends (with the assistance and driving skills of her parents, of course).
That shouldn't be possible for a kid her age, and yet it is. I guess I should be pleased that people are inviting her places, especially since these various events are excellent occasions to test the social niceties she's learning at home and school.
Still, I'm exhausted already thinking about taking her hither and yon on days when I'd prefer to be curled up on my sofa with my Kindle.
I'll take it one day at a time -- oh, and my husband and I will work on getting out more often for ourselves.
Oct. 12, 2011
When did my child become a social butterfly?
It occurred to me recently that my toddler has more upcoming social engagements in the next six weeks than both of her parents combined. From birthday parties to Halloween shindigs to child-centered theatrical productions, she'll be on the go for the next several weekends (with the assistance and driving skills of her parents, of course).
That shouldn't be possible for a kid her age, and yet it is. I guess I should be pleased that people are inviting her places, especially since these various events are excellent occasions to test the social niceties she's learning at home and school.
Still, I'm exhausted already thinking about taking her hither and yon on days when I'd prefer to be curled up on my sofa with my Kindle.
I'll take it one day at a time -- oh, and my husband and I will work on getting out more often for ourselves.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Repost: Kids saying the darndest things
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Oct. 5, 2011
Every now and then, I like to enjoy a moment or two of mindless entertainment with my daughter. That usually involves me searching for a four- or five-minute online video -- it could be a video of dancers dancing or one of kids acting silly -- for the two of us to watch together.
This one from the Kids React series, about a computer-generated Japanese pop star, made her giggle. She especially liked one of the boys who made funny faces and waved his arms about, but I confess that the part that made me guffaw was the kid who said, "Hannah Montana, she was great. And then she started acting like a hooker."
What silly entertainment do you enjoy with your kids?
Oct. 5, 2011
Every now and then, I like to enjoy a moment or two of mindless entertainment with my daughter. That usually involves me searching for a four- or five-minute online video -- it could be a video of dancers dancing or one of kids acting silly -- for the two of us to watch together.
This one from the Kids React series, about a computer-generated Japanese pop star, made her giggle. She especially liked one of the boys who made funny faces and waved his arms about, but I confess that the part that made me guffaw was the kid who said, "Hannah Montana, she was great. And then she started acting like a hooker."
What silly entertainment do you enjoy with your kids?
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Repost: How old is too old to become parent to a newborn?
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Sept. 28, 2011
Years ago, I came home one afternoon from school -- I think I was in second grade -- and announced to my mother that of all the parents of students in my classroom, she and my father were among the oldest.
My folks had me when they were in their early 30s.
What a difference a few decades make. I had my daughter when I was older than my parents had been when I was born, and my husband and I are certainly not the oldest parents of a child in her day-care class. And although men have always been able to sire children at advanced ages, these days determined women of means in late middle age are finding ways to become mothers.
For some older moms, motherhood has come via adoption, but for others, it has come via advanced medical techniques such as IVF and donor eggs.
That's meant that women have been able to take home newborns in their late 40s and early 50s. As you can imagine, that's controversial in some quarters.
Not with me, though. I figure that as long as parents can support and care for their children adequately, all's well.
What do you think? Is there anything wrong with being over 50 and becoming a parent to an infant?
Sept. 28, 2011
Years ago, I came home one afternoon from school -- I think I was in second grade -- and announced to my mother that of all the parents of students in my classroom, she and my father were among the oldest.
My folks had me when they were in their early 30s.
What a difference a few decades make. I had my daughter when I was older than my parents had been when I was born, and my husband and I are certainly not the oldest parents of a child in her day-care class. And although men have always been able to sire children at advanced ages, these days determined women of means in late middle age are finding ways to become mothers.
For some older moms, motherhood has come via adoption, but for others, it has come via advanced medical techniques such as IVF and donor eggs.
That's meant that women have been able to take home newborns in their late 40s and early 50s. As you can imagine, that's controversial in some quarters.
Not with me, though. I figure that as long as parents can support and care for their children adequately, all's well.
What do you think? Is there anything wrong with being over 50 and becoming a parent to an infant?
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Repost: When is parenting done?
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Sept. 21, 2011
The toddler in my household is determined to show at nearly every moment that she has a mind and will of her own, so at particularly frustrating moments, I sometimes find myself fantasizing idly about what I'll do with my time and life when I'm done parenting.
See, in my imagination, that's when my husband and I will get to travel widely again. We'll be able to sleep in late. We won't have to drive anybody anywhere. If I want to have popcorn and a glass of wine for dinner, I'll be able to do that without worrying about setting a bad example for anyone. We'll be able to while away an afternoon reading bestsellers, quilting or just generally enjoying life -- without interruption.
Again: in my imagination.
In reality, when I think about all my own parents still do for me, I recognize that parenting won't and can't end when kiddo goes away to college. In recent months, my mother or father has stepped in to care for my daughter when my husband and I were unexpectedly trapped by last-minute work obligations, helped overhaul my wardrobe, helped with spring cleaning at my home, been my cheering section when I needed a little extra support, provided valuable parenting advice and nagged me -- gently -- about taking better care of myself.
They're not parenting me the way they did when I was my daughter's age, but my folks definitely still occupy a unique position in my life. I guess a parent's work is never done.
Do you think there's a certain time when you won't have to parent your child? When will that be (or when was it)? What do you anticipate your role will be in your child's life at that point?
Sept. 21, 2011
The toddler in my household is determined to show at nearly every moment that she has a mind and will of her own, so at particularly frustrating moments, I sometimes find myself fantasizing idly about what I'll do with my time and life when I'm done parenting.
See, in my imagination, that's when my husband and I will get to travel widely again. We'll be able to sleep in late. We won't have to drive anybody anywhere. If I want to have popcorn and a glass of wine for dinner, I'll be able to do that without worrying about setting a bad example for anyone. We'll be able to while away an afternoon reading bestsellers, quilting or just generally enjoying life -- without interruption.
Again: in my imagination.
In reality, when I think about all my own parents still do for me, I recognize that parenting won't and can't end when kiddo goes away to college. In recent months, my mother or father has stepped in to care for my daughter when my husband and I were unexpectedly trapped by last-minute work obligations, helped overhaul my wardrobe, helped with spring cleaning at my home, been my cheering section when I needed a little extra support, provided valuable parenting advice and nagged me -- gently -- about taking better care of myself.
They're not parenting me the way they did when I was my daughter's age, but my folks definitely still occupy a unique position in my life. I guess a parent's work is never done.
Do you think there's a certain time when you won't have to parent your child? When will that be (or when was it)? What do you anticipate your role will be in your child's life at that point?
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Repost: Parents imprisoned after starving baby on vegan diet
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Sept. 14, 2011
Lots of parents have struggled with trying to accommodate their kids' nutritional needs with their own diets -- and wallets.
But few face as drastic a result as an Atlanta couple facing life sentences in prison after the Georgia Supreme Court recently upheld a ruling that their 6-week-old son starved to death in 2004 because the couple tried to feed him according to a vegan diet.
Jade Sanders and Lamont Thomas reportedly fed their son, Crown, just apple juice and soy milk. By the time they took the infant to a hospital in 2004, he weighed just 3.5 pounds.
Sept. 14, 2011
Lots of parents have struggled with trying to accommodate their kids' nutritional needs with their own diets -- and wallets.
But few face as drastic a result as an Atlanta couple facing life sentences in prison after the Georgia Supreme Court recently upheld a ruling that their 6-week-old son starved to death in 2004 because the couple tried to feed him according to a vegan diet.
Jade Sanders and Lamont Thomas reportedly fed their son, Crown, just apple juice and soy milk. By the time they took the infant to a hospital in 2004, he weighed just 3.5 pounds.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Repost: Classic books to read to young children
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Aug. 31, 2011
What books do you read to and with your young children?
In our household, kiddo is particularly happy when we read her any book about her best buddy Elmo as well as Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, so I was pleased to see the latter on a list of top classic books for parents to read to kids.
Here are the Top 15, as reported by What To Do With The Kids:
1. Goodnight, Moon, Margaret Wise Brown
2. Stone Soup, Marcia Brown
3. The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein
4. The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams
5. Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak
6. Curious George, Hans Augusto Rey
7. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle
8. Charlotte's Web, Elwyn Brooks White
9. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Bill Martin Jr. and John Archabault
10. Green Eggs and Ham, Dr. Seuss
11. Harold and the Purple Crayon, Crockett Johnson
12. Guess How Much I love You, Sam McBratney
13. Love You Forever, Robery Munsch
14. Go Dog Go, P.D. Eastman
15. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Virginia Lee Burton
We've definitely read a couple of these. I've read Goodnight, Moon and The Very Hungry Caterpillar enough times that I can recite them from memory. Although we haven't yet bought Green Eggs and Ham, we have read In A People House several times. My daughter is a touch too young for a few of the others, but I'll definitely keep them in mind (except Curious George, because monkeys give me the creeps).
Did you read these books to your kids? What books have been favorites in your household?
Aug. 31, 2011
What books do you read to and with your young children?
In our household, kiddo is particularly happy when we read her any book about her best buddy Elmo as well as Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, so I was pleased to see the latter on a list of top classic books for parents to read to kids.
Here are the Top 15, as reported by What To Do With The Kids:
1. Goodnight, Moon, Margaret Wise Brown
2. Stone Soup, Marcia Brown
3. The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein
4. The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams
5. Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak
6. Curious George, Hans Augusto Rey
7. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle
8. Charlotte's Web, Elwyn Brooks White
9. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Bill Martin Jr. and John Archabault
10. Green Eggs and Ham, Dr. Seuss
11. Harold and the Purple Crayon, Crockett Johnson
12. Guess How Much I love You, Sam McBratney
13. Love You Forever, Robery Munsch
14. Go Dog Go, P.D. Eastman
15. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Virginia Lee Burton
We've definitely read a couple of these. I've read Goodnight, Moon and The Very Hungry Caterpillar enough times that I can recite them from memory. Although we haven't yet bought Green Eggs and Ham, we have read In A People House several times. My daughter is a touch too young for a few of the others, but I'll definitely keep them in mind (except Curious George, because monkeys give me the creeps).
Did you read these books to your kids? What books have been favorites in your household?
Friday, May 17, 2013
Repost: Note to self: Toddlers repeat what they hear
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Aug. 24, 2011
Parenting lesson No. 10,476: Toddlers are like parrots. They will repeat what you don't want them to say, probably because you don't want them to say it.
A couple of days before we traveled to my my husband's recent high school reunion, our family sat on the sofa as he reminisced about his high school days. He looked at pictures while I held our daughter.
At one point he said, "Wow, it's been a really long time."
My response was to say, jokingly, "You see that, baby? Daddy's so old."
Kiddo picked up on the last half of my statement and repeated it: "Daddy's so old."
I have to be honest; I laughed a little bit. Even my husband chuckled.
The next day, it happened again. When my husband came home from work, our beloved looked at him and said, "Daddy's so old."
We tried to ignore it.
Then she started using the not-so-magic words when she saw her father in the photographs that are at her eye level in our home.
Our wedding picture? "Daddy's so old."
A photo from a pre-kid vacation? "Daddy's so ooooold."
All because I made a little joke.
We're still ignoring it and hoping it'll end soon, but this has been my wake-up call.
No more loose lips.
Aug. 24, 2011
Parenting lesson No. 10,476: Toddlers are like parrots. They will repeat what you don't want them to say, probably because you don't want them to say it.
A couple of days before we traveled to my my husband's recent high school reunion, our family sat on the sofa as he reminisced about his high school days. He looked at pictures while I held our daughter.
At one point he said, "Wow, it's been a really long time."
My response was to say, jokingly, "You see that, baby? Daddy's so old."
Kiddo picked up on the last half of my statement and repeated it: "Daddy's so old."
I have to be honest; I laughed a little bit. Even my husband chuckled.
The next day, it happened again. When my husband came home from work, our beloved looked at him and said, "Daddy's so old."
We tried to ignore it.
Then she started using the not-so-magic words when she saw her father in the photographs that are at her eye level in our home.
Our wedding picture? "Daddy's so old."
A photo from a pre-kid vacation? "Daddy's so ooooold."
All because I made a little joke.
We're still ignoring it and hoping it'll end soon, but this has been my wake-up call.
No more loose lips.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Repost: Is there anything better than watching kids laugh?
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Aug. 10, 2011 Sometimes, when you're having a tough and/or long day, it can be wonderful to take a moment to cleanse your mental palate by watching some babies laugh. Enjoy:
Aug. 10, 2011 Sometimes, when you're having a tough and/or long day, it can be wonderful to take a moment to cleanse your mental palate by watching some babies laugh. Enjoy:
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Repost: Please don't ask me when I'm having another kid
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
Aug. 3, 2011
While visiting my husband's hometown last week (kiddo did just fine on the long car trip), several people asked me that really annoying question.
You know the one: "When are you going to have another child?"
I'm not immune to the fantasy of having a bunch of charming, identically-clad, above-average kids, or even just one more. I've even got a couple of kick-butt baby names in mind. I'm still grappling with whether my husband and I will actually pull the trigger and try for another, though.
Why? Well, I'm tired.
Aug. 3, 2011
While visiting my husband's hometown last week (kiddo did just fine on the long car trip), several people asked me that really annoying question.
You know the one: "When are you going to have another child?"
I'm not immune to the fantasy of having a bunch of charming, identically-clad, above-average kids, or even just one more. I've even got a couple of kick-butt baby names in mind. I'm still grappling with whether my husband and I will actually pull the trigger and try for another, though.
Why? Well, I'm tired.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Repost: I'm prepared for road trip with toddler -- I think!
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
July 27, 2011
My little family will soon embark on an adventure that worries me a bit: A road trip.
Oh, we've taken lengthy road trips in the past, but those occurred before Little Miss emerged into full-fledged toddlerdom. These days she gets fussy if she has to be in her carseat for more than 25 minutes.
We'll be driving for eight hours, much of it on back roads in our small hatchback. I am not looking forward to it. How will I ever keep her occupied all that time?
As always, I have a plan.
July 27, 2011
My little family will soon embark on an adventure that worries me a bit: A road trip.
Oh, we've taken lengthy road trips in the past, but those occurred before Little Miss emerged into full-fledged toddlerdom. These days she gets fussy if she has to be in her carseat for more than 25 minutes.
We'll be driving for eight hours, much of it on back roads in our small hatchback. I am not looking forward to it. How will I ever keep her occupied all that time?
As always, I have a plan.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Repost: How could you possibly move on after losing a child?
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
July 20, 2011
Jackie Hance has weathered the unthinkable and the nearly unbearable.
Hance's only children, her three daughters, were killed in 2009 in a crash when Hance's sister-in-law drove the wrong way on a busy New York highway. Her daughters, Emma, Alyson and Katie, were just 8, 7 and 5 years old.
I cannot imagine the pain she and her husband suffered, or their conflicting emotions when they realized that Hance's sister-in-law, who also died in the crash, had been chemically impaired while transporting their children.
Nor can I fathom how much strength it has taken her to move on with her life. I was tremendously touched by her story.
When you have a moment, please read Hance's essay about how it feels after the worst has happened.
July 20, 2011
Jackie Hance has weathered the unthinkable and the nearly unbearable.
Hance's only children, her three daughters, were killed in 2009 in a crash when Hance's sister-in-law drove the wrong way on a busy New York highway. Her daughters, Emma, Alyson and Katie, were just 8, 7 and 5 years old.
I cannot imagine the pain she and her husband suffered, or their conflicting emotions when they realized that Hance's sister-in-law, who also died in the crash, had been chemically impaired while transporting their children.
Nor can I fathom how much strength it has taken her to move on with her life. I was tremendously touched by her story.
When you have a moment, please read Hance's essay about how it feels after the worst has happened.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Repost: Why I feel good about judging Casey Anthony
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
July 6, 2011
On Tuesday, a jury of her peers determined that Casey Anthony is legally not guilty of killing her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Marie.
Against the odds, Casey Anthony and her legal team managed to beat the justice system's case against her. Still, there's a rap she'll never be able to escape: Casey Anthony -- she of the partying and the new tattoo while her child was missing -- was a Bad Mom.
For moms who sometimes judge other moms (that means all of us), this is a wonderful opportunity to be judgmental -- with almost no guilt! Casey Anthony was an actual Bad Mom, who did real Bad Mom things, not the kind of petty stuff that usually causes us to clutch our pearls. This wasn't feeding the kids fast food, cursing in front of them, failing to control them in public or forgetting to pick up Junior from softball practice.
Neglecting to report a child missing for a month is way beyond any of that.
July 6, 2011
On Tuesday, a jury of her peers determined that Casey Anthony is legally not guilty of killing her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee Marie.
Against the odds, Casey Anthony and her legal team managed to beat the justice system's case against her. Still, there's a rap she'll never be able to escape: Casey Anthony -- she of the partying and the new tattoo while her child was missing -- was a Bad Mom.
For moms who sometimes judge other moms (that means all of us), this is a wonderful opportunity to be judgmental -- with almost no guilt! Casey Anthony was an actual Bad Mom, who did real Bad Mom things, not the kind of petty stuff that usually causes us to clutch our pearls. This wasn't feeding the kids fast food, cursing in front of them, failing to control them in public or forgetting to pick up Junior from softball practice.
Neglecting to report a child missing for a month is way beyond any of that.
Top 20 memorable "mom moments" on TV and in movies
I put together a post today for the Moms at Work blog about the Top 20 most memorable "mom moments" on TV and in movies.
LINK: http://thesent.nl/12fNJHd
(And yes, of course, the top one is That Episode of The Cosby Show).
How'd I do? Did I forget anything?
Monday, May 6, 2013
Repost: Wanted: Balanced meals for a picky eater
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
June 29, 2011
My formerly healthy eater has suddenly become quite the picky miss.
About the only things she's willing to eat with any real enthusiasm right now are pizza, rice, chicken and macaroni and cheese. Basically, pick a white-colored food and she's delighted to eat it, but she's suspicious about anything else. She doesn't even seem to care for fruit much anymore!
I bake spinach into macaroni and cheese just so I can be sure she's getting a vegetable in her life, but I'm otherwise struggling to make sure she gets balanced meals. I know this is typical for toddlers, but it's frustrating -- especially because I love to cook and hate the idea that she's rejecting my food.
Yesterday, I made oven-dried tomatoes, and when I gave her one (before putting them in the olive oil), she seemed to enjoy it. That's something, but it's the only recent success I've had with her on the enthusiasm-for-fruits-and-veggies front.
Am I going to have to start pureeing vegetables and fruit and hiding them in what she eats? For now, I'll keep experimenting and offering her balanced meals, but if there's not a breakthrough soon, I may be forced to do it.
What are your sure-fire kid-friendly recipes?
June 29, 2011
My formerly healthy eater has suddenly become quite the picky miss.
About the only things she's willing to eat with any real enthusiasm right now are pizza, rice, chicken and macaroni and cheese. Basically, pick a white-colored food and she's delighted to eat it, but she's suspicious about anything else. She doesn't even seem to care for fruit much anymore!
I bake spinach into macaroni and cheese just so I can be sure she's getting a vegetable in her life, but I'm otherwise struggling to make sure she gets balanced meals. I know this is typical for toddlers, but it's frustrating -- especially because I love to cook and hate the idea that she's rejecting my food.
Yesterday, I made oven-dried tomatoes, and when I gave her one (before putting them in the olive oil), she seemed to enjoy it. That's something, but it's the only recent success I've had with her on the enthusiasm-for-fruits-and-veggies front.
Am I going to have to start pureeing vegetables and fruit and hiding them in what she eats? For now, I'll keep experimenting and offering her balanced meals, but if there's not a breakthrough soon, I may be forced to do it.
What are your sure-fire kid-friendly recipes?
Friday, May 3, 2013
Repost: Small kids and hot cars just don't mix
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
June 22, 2011
It's happened again.
A small child died early this week after she was accidentally left behind in a scorching hot vehicle. This time, the child's Atlanta day-care provider was responsible, but all too often, these incidents happen because of forgetful or time-strapped parents.
Forgetful, distracted, time-strapped or sleep-deprived. Most of us with small kids fit in one of those categories every now and then, don't we?
And for some reason, deaths such as these are occurring in record numbers this year, no doubt due to the scorching hot weather. The emotional aftermath of losing one's child in this way is something I never want to experience.
Each time I read about one of these deaths, I think "Be careful, because you're not so perfect that this couldn't happen to you." So this is just a little reminder to you and me. Let's take a few seconds this summer to make sure everybody's exited our vehicles and nobody's falling through the figurative cracks. The extra few seconds could mean...well, everything.
June 22, 2011
It's happened again.
A small child died early this week after she was accidentally left behind in a scorching hot vehicle. This time, the child's Atlanta day-care provider was responsible, but all too often, these incidents happen because of forgetful or time-strapped parents.
Forgetful, distracted, time-strapped or sleep-deprived. Most of us with small kids fit in one of those categories every now and then, don't we?
And for some reason, deaths such as these are occurring in record numbers this year, no doubt due to the scorching hot weather. The emotional aftermath of losing one's child in this way is something I never want to experience.
Each time I read about one of these deaths, I think "Be careful, because you're not so perfect that this couldn't happen to you." So this is just a little reminder to you and me. Let's take a few seconds this summer to make sure everybody's exited our vehicles and nobody's falling through the figurative cracks. The extra few seconds could mean...well, everything.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Repost: The 'terrible twos' have hit. I need a vacation.
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
June 15, 2011
What happened to my sweet child?
My daughter's still a couple of months away from turning 2, so I had hoped that the so-called "terrible twos" would hold off for a bit.
No such luck.
About two weeks ago, some sort of switch went off in her mind, telling her that she should resist everything her parents want. Changing clothes? Resist. Mealtimes? Resist. Getting in the car? Resist. Getting *out* of the car? Resist.
It's exhausting.
June 15, 2011
What happened to my sweet child?
My daughter's still a couple of months away from turning 2, so I had hoped that the so-called "terrible twos" would hold off for a bit.
No such luck.
About two weeks ago, some sort of switch went off in her mind, telling her that she should resist everything her parents want. Changing clothes? Resist. Mealtimes? Resist. Getting in the car? Resist. Getting *out* of the car? Resist.
It's exhausting.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Repost: Why must children's toys be so doggone noisy?
I've contributed to the Orlando Sentinel's Moms at Work blog since 2010. The blog is changing content management systems and my old posts will no longer be available to the public, so I'm reposting them here, in the order that they were originally posted.
June 1, 2011
When I was a little girl, I had a Fisher-Price train.
I loved that train. It was battery operated, and it made a delightful choo-choo sound. A loud one! As often as I could, I pulled it through the house, as it choo-choo-ed loudly along behind me.
My mother hated the train. She really, really hated it. The choo-choo-ing drove her bananas, and frankly, she could hardly stand to look at the thing. Eventually, my train "stopped working" and disappeared; it was more than a decade before I would come to understand that my mother had hidden it.
I was upset about its disappearance for a long time, but now I feel comfortable saying the following publicly: Mom, I forgive you.
Thirty-mumble years later, I finally understand what drove you so crazy about that toy.
June 1, 2011
When I was a little girl, I had a Fisher-Price train.
I loved that train. It was battery operated, and it made a delightful choo-choo sound. A loud one! As often as I could, I pulled it through the house, as it choo-choo-ed loudly along behind me.
My mother hated the train. She really, really hated it. The choo-choo-ing drove her bananas, and frankly, she could hardly stand to look at the thing. Eventually, my train "stopped working" and disappeared; it was more than a decade before I would come to understand that my mother had hidden it.
I was upset about its disappearance for a long time, but now I feel comfortable saying the following publicly: Mom, I forgive you.
Thirty-mumble years later, I finally understand what drove you so crazy about that toy.
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