got Milk? Tour Returns to Baltimore

The got Milk? tour is returning to Baltimore! I'm unavailable this year due to preschool, but we went last year and had a fun time.

This year, look for the "Milk The Moment" contest, in which you could win a trip to San Francisco for a dinner experience with celebrity chef Tyler Florence, by sharing how you incorporate healthy eating and bonding into dinner time.

You'll have access to information from the National Dairy Council and the NFL's Fuel Up To Play 60 program, which encourages kids to get at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. And you'll be able to sample local Baltimore milk and have your very own Milk Mustache photo taken.

Below are the dates, locations and times for the Baltimore visit. Be sure to drop by!

*May 10, 11am-1pm and 2pm-5pm: Port Discovery Children’s Museum, 35 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
*May 11, 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm: The Maryland Zoo, 1876 Mansion House Drive, Baltimore, MD 21217
*May 12, 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm: The Maryland Zoo, 1876 Mansion House Drive, Baltimore, MD 21217

One reader will win a got Milk? gift bag, which includes a frisbee, lanyard, t-shirt and subscription to Disney Family Fun Magazine. To enter, leave me a comment and tell me if you have any family traditions at meal time. This contest will be open for one week, closing at midnight on May 7, 2010. I will choose and notify a winner on Saturday, but if I don't hear from you within 24 hours, I will choose a new winner. I MUST have a valid email address or other way to contact you for your entry to count. This contest is open to residents of the USA only, not counting Alaska or Hawaii. Good luck!

Congrats to An Ordinary Mom, she is the winner of the got Milk? prize pack!

Palm Pre Plus Review

Last month, I mentioned that the kind folks at Verizon had sent me a Palm Pre Plus to try out. I've had it for about a month now, and wanted to share my impressions so far.

First of all, I have never had a smart phone before, so I can't compare to other devices. But...I can definitely say how much I like the Palm device.

What I Like:

• fast and easy access to Facebook, Twitter, and any other site on the Internet.


• Google Maps, which not only gives me driving directions, but walking directions and what bus route to take for public transport, as well as what time I can catch the bus.


• A full keyboard, which makes texting, twittering, emailing and updating Facebook that much easier.


• Email, which makes it a breeze to answer a quick question or address a blog comment.

One of my favorite parts of the phone is that it has a fantastic camera in it. My digital camera is about 5 years old and definitely outdated. However, every camera phone I've had so far took fuzzy, poor quality photos. The camera in the Palm device is so good, it replaces my need to carry my outdated camera with me. I've taken hundreds of photos, but below are just a few examples of my favorites.






I'm also happy with how easy it is to share the photos and video I've taken with the phone. If you're friends with me on Facebook, all my recent uploads have been taken with the Palm Pre Plus and uploaded directly from the phone. I even used it at work. We take photos of new puppies to document their first visits, but the hospital camera was temporarily broken and the owner of a cute chocolate lab was disappointed. So I took a picture of her dog with the phone, emailed it to myself, then pulled it out of my email on an office computer so she could have it for her refrigerator. The whole process took less than a minute.


Having also never had a digital video camera, I have enjoyed the video option, which is even cooler because videos can be edited right on the phone. I have not tried putting music on it, because the weight is a little heavy for me to run with.

What I Don't Like:
Nothing's perfect. Lots of dropped calls and staticky connections. One of my videos and several pictures disappeared on their own, something I've been told is a bug in the Pre software. (Happily, my daughter was willing to reread the book so I could video her again, and I had already put the photos in question on Facebook.) And even on days when I'm not using the data features very much, the battery runs down very quickly. I've been charging it nearly every day. And the touch screen gets fingerprinted and smeared easily.

And this is nothing to do with the phone and everything to do with me, having the possibility to have the Internet at my fingertips at all times is very tempting. Like when stuck in rush hour traffic. Or while getting blood drawn for routine testing. Or on my lunch break at work.

When I'm due for my next upgrade, I'll certainly be looking at the Palm Pre Plus. Stay tuned in about a month for my final opinion on the device.

The Palm Pre Plus retails for $599.99, but you may be able to get it cheaper through your wireless provider. The device was provided for me for free for two months. At the end of the two months, I will return the phone to Verizon. I am not being paid to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

Seven Tips For Beginning Runners

I'm hoping to run a half marathon later this year. Right now, I never run more than three miles at a time. I'm working on increasing my pace, then I'll work on my distance.

Sometimes I post my time or my mileage on Facebook or Twitter. It's my way of keeping track of what I've accomplished, a way to motivate myself, and a way to stay accountable. If I say I want to run ten miles that week, I don't want to have to say that I didn't do it at the end of the week.

People keep saying that I should be proud of myself and that they could never be a runner. And I am proud of myself, but the thing is, I made myself into a runner. I don't have any sort of special skill or ability. I chose running because I wanted a good, intense, sweaty workout that I could do anywhere. And while it was initially about losing a little bit of weight, it's turned into much, much more. It's the miles under my sneakers. It's the rhythm of my feet on the sidewalk and my breath. It's pushing myself to achieve a goal, constantly do better, even when the only one I'm racing is myself. I became a runner, and you can too if you want to.

Here are seven things to keep in mind.

• Go Slow--It's easy to overdo it. You might feel like you're fine and you can go further. Don't. You'll feel it the next day and you risk injury.


• Know Your Numbers--How far you run or what your pace is doesn't matter so much, but it's handy to know to track your progress. I used to have a cheap pedometer, but it was wildly inaccurate because it depended on the stride length to measure distance. My stride varies through my run. Since I wasn't willing to buy a fancier version, I turned to My Walking Maps from Prevention. It's a handy tool to map your run for distance. As for pace, any cheap sports watch will do, you just need to remember to check it when you hit your markers.


• Splurge On Great Shoes--If there's one piece of gear you should spend good money on, it's shoes. Running in old shoes, cheap shoes or the wrong shoes puts you at risk for serious leg and foot problems. Theoretically, you should also know what type of runner you are (basically, how your foot strikes the ground when you run) so you can buy shoes for that type. A running specialty store is the best place to go for a salesperson who can help you determine your foot type.


• Wear Cotton With Caution--Cotton does not dry easily when it gets wet. It can also cause painful friction. So if you're considering running in cotton clothing, think about it carefully. I have run in cool weather in cotton pants, but they fit snugly and don't move around. However, the other day I decided to run in a cotton tank top because I'd been wearing it all day and was too lazy to change, and it rubbed a sore spot on the inside of my arm that I didn't notice until I was finished with my run.


• Use Music To Keep Yourself Going--A peppy song can pump you up enough to keep going, or you can choose songs with a certain beat to run to. I like to run to music to stay on pace. Check out RunningMusicMix.com for ideas. My playlist includes Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne, I Wanna Be Sedated by The Ramones, Hey Mickey by The Riplets and Footloose by Kenny Loggins.


• Find Your Motivator--Sign up for a race, join a running group, or make your goal public like I did. Find something that will keep you going out for more. It's harder to quit when you have a running partner waiting for you, or you've paid money to run in a race.


• Watch Your Stride--I used to get terrible shin splints when I ran, even when I was taking it easy and wearing the right shoes. What fixed it was the simple act of shortening my stride. A shorter stride reduces the impact on your lower legs, and for me, it turned running into something painful into something I could actually do. Running at a certain BPM can help with this. The songs listed above are all in the 160-170 range, and I've found that a great tempo for moving along at a nice pace without over striding.

I'd love to hear from other runners. What factor or factors are the most important for you?

Menu Plan: Cooking Mags

In the midst of spring cleaning, I realized that I have a bunch of recent cooking magazines that I've barely looked at. So first I decided to not renew my subscription when it runs out. And then I decided to make my next menu plan using the magazines. Since, you know, that's what they are for!

Here's what we'll be eating this week.

**General Tso's Chicken--My husband has been requesting this dish for awhile. So I finally looked up a few recipes on the Food Network and came up with some ideas. I'll serve it over rice, with steamed veggies on the side.
**Pork Chops with Creamy Parmesan Sauce--This easy recipe from Healthy Cooking Magazine also looks fast. And I like fast. Couscous, green beans and salad to go with it.
**Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells--I'll use jumbo shells so the kids can help fill them. Garlic bread and steamed veggies to go with it.
**Italian Chicken--I guess what makes this easy recipe Italian is the use of salad dressing mix. Salad and baked potatoes on the side.
**Steak with Artichokes and Peppers--I've been craving steak lately, so maybe I need more iron. This easy meal is served with a artichoke/pepper salad on the side. And maybe a more kid-friendly veggie to go with that.

What are you eating these days?

Mouse-Capades

This is our cat. His name is Jameson (yes, after the whiskey) and he just turned seven.

Jameson is a lot of things. He purrs like a motor boat, but he'll try to bite you in a second if you touch his stomach. He's on a diet to lose a little bit of weight (so far, so good). He is extremely cage aggressive at work, so much that he's earned a bit of a reputation. And the one person he's actually bitten? My boss. Yeah, great judgement there, Jameson. (Enough sedatives to knock out a donkey, skin biopsy, scissors and suture, freak accident, blah blah blah...)

He's also a hell of a hunter. The kids are not great about always closing the door, but if flies get inside, I don't bother chasing them down with a fly swatter, because Jameson will catch them and eat them. One year he caught what we thought was a fly until it stung him. Bee. And in the 7 years we've had him, he's caught several rodent creatures that we'll call mice because I'm not really sure and I don't want to go there.

Living in an old house with lots of brick and ill-fitting doors and windows, it's a given that every once in awhile, a critter will come inside. I was eight months pregnant the first time it happened. Last summer, the kids and I spent the entire morning out and about and when we came home, Johnny announced, "Mom! There's something dead in our house!" Expecting a cricket or something, I looked. Dead mouse. I screamed. Thankfully, he just broke its neck and didn't disembowel it. He's a thoughtful cat like that.

And then...THEN...there was yesterday.

My husband took the kids to a bison farm in Baltimore County. I stayed home, went for a run, did some housework. I was upstairs, minding my own business, cooling down after my workout, when I heard a racket from downstairs. Sometimes one of Maureen's hairbands goes astray and Jameson likes to play with them. He ate one once, but luckily it came out the other end eventually. Still, I'm not willing to risk it, so when Jameson runs around like that, I investigate.

Only it wasn't a hairband. It was a mouse. Firmly clenched in Jameson's mouth. I didn't know that cats could hiss with their mouth's mostly closed. They can. So great, right? If there has to be a critter in the house, isn't it best that the cat of the moment is on it? Except the cat decided he wanted to play with his victim before ultimately murdering it. He put it down. It ran in circles. I screamed. I can't help it. Give me a pitbull trying to eat me at work over a rodent any day.

The cat casually recaught the mouse. I opened the side door and grabbed the broom with the intention of shoving both cat and mouse out the door. Except the cat is an indoor cat and he barely ventures out onto our deck. He doesn't do out. He didn't want to give up his super cool toy.

He took the mouse upstairs.

I started to panic. No! Stop! Come back!

At the top of the stairs, he put the mouse down again. And he must have been bored with it at this point because it ran away and he watched it go.

Right under my bed.

Panic crescendos.

There was more screaming. There was some cursing. (A lot of cursing.) Luckily the kids weren't home, because I said a certain F word about six times.

"JAMESON! You useless striped lump! Get your dead ass under that bed and catch that effing thing and effing kill it! It's UNDER MY BED AND I'LL NEVER SLEEP AGAIN UNTIL YOU KILL IT!!!!!!"

He yawned.

That's when the husband and kids came home. Perfect timing.

I tore the bedroom apart looking for the rodent while keeping my broom close by in case I had to smash it myself. Nothing.

I pulled everything out from under the bed. I cursed my husband for his propensity for saving useless crap. Nothing.

I even pulled my incredibly heavy dresser away from the wall. Nothing. Nothing but dust and dirt, which then to a major cleaning episode. No mouse.

6 hours later, still no mouse. The cat was so disinterested, we had to conclude the mouse found some tiny hole through which to squeeze itself and escaped.

I found myself last night putting away laundry and gingerly opening drawers. What if it managed to get into a drawer? If a mouse popped out at me, I was seriously going to pee myself and drop dead from a heart attack.

I couldn't sleep last night. I didn't want any extra pillows to fall on the floor. What if the mouse came out, got into the pillowcase and I picked it up half asleep? Again, pee and acute death.

I slept on the couch.

No mouse.

It's now been over 24 hours. Nothing. No sign of it. Jameson slept all day.

He has been lectured. If he ever catches a mouse again, kill the effing thing. I will buy him a wind up mouse if he wants to chase something.

Until then, he's been demoted from mighty hunter to master slacker.

And I still can't sleep.

Construction Zone Bedding Set Review

A couple of weeks ago, I hinted that I would be reviewing a new bedding set provided by CSNStores.com, your go to source for everything from baby cribs to garden furniture to dog beds. I'm pleased to be working with CSN Stores and am once again pleased to review a great product.

When my 5 year old son's comforter started to wear out, I thought long and hard about what to replace it with. He's old enough to provide input, but I also wanted something that would hold up to wear and tear in a household with two active kids in it. Besides sleeping in his bed, my son and daughter use the bed for a spot to read and relax and build the occasional tent on a rainy day. We also have a cat that likes to sleep on the bed in the morning when the sun is coming through the windows. I wanted something that would be comfortable and cute, but also sturdy enough to handle frequent washings and cat hair.

When I asked my son what kind of bedding he wanted, he said "construction." So I chose the Construction Zone bedding collection by JoJo Designs. The set comes with a full/queen size comforter and two standard pillow shams. My order was also upgraded, so we received it several days sooner than originally predicted.

My only mistake was telling my son in the morning that I expected the package to come that day. It did, but not until 630 in the evening, so he spent most of the day peeking out the window for the FedEx truck!

However, the bedding set passed the first test. It came through the wash great and was dry in enough time for bedtime at 8PM. It's been through the wash one other time following an incident with a wet preschool painting and also came out great.

The fabric is sturdy yet soft, and I like that the full/queen size is generous enough to cover the mattress completely. It's cozy as a cover and my son is thrilled with his "truck bed." And the cat hair brushes off easily.

The Construction Zone bedding set retails at $89.99 although it was provided for me at no cost. This item also qualifies for free shipping!

CSN Stores provided me with the bedding set in this review for free. All opinions are my own and I am not being paid for a positive review. Thanks for CSNStores.com for this opportunity!

Natural Bug Killer Giveaway

As a mom concerned about the vast amounts of toxic chemicals in our daily lives, I'm especially hesitant when it comes to insecticides. However, it's a tricky issue because bugs are not only annoying, but can spread disease.

Luckily, there are organic pesticides available! When the folks at EcoSMART approached me about giving away some products, I was intrigued by the idea of trying out natural bug spray and organic home pest control. The giveaway is timely too, because ant season is here!

One lucky reader will win a Safe Picnic Value bundle, valued at 23 dollars. You get one bottle of flying insect killer, one bottle of home pest control and two bottles of insect repellant. To enter, leave me a comment telling me why you want the value bundle. This contest will close at midnight on Friday, April 23, 2010 and I'll notify the winner by email on Saturday. If I don't hear from you within 24 hours, I'll choose a new winner. I MUST have a valid email address in your comment or Google profile to contact you! I'm sorry, but this contest is only open to residents of the US, not counting Hawaii and Alaska. Good luck!

Congrats to The Baltimore Babe! She wins the value bundle from EcoSMART. Enjoy!

Children As Dogs

After some of the initial furor over an article published in Time regarding spanking as an indicator of aggressive behavior in children died down, I had some time to reflect not only on the article, but the response to it.

As an AP family, we don't spank, and the reasons behind that decision are many. However, I don't want to get into the specifics of if spanking does or does not cause aggressive behavior, nor do I want to touch on the debate of if spanking is or is not abuse. Instead, I'd like to talk about spanking in terms of effectiveness and what parents who don't want to practice it can do instead.

When I'm not writing or being a mom, I'm a veterinary technician at a large practice in Baltimore. I've been doing this for the better part of 13 years. If pressed, I couldn't even begin to estimate exactly how many hours I've spent with pet owners counseling them on the best way to approach their animal's behavior. And when I thought about it, I realized there are some parallels between training a puppy and raising a well behaved child.

I'm not saying that children are dogs. I'm saying that many of the principles used by dog trainers also work great when applied to parenting.

People who adopt a puppy don't expect that the animal will automatically know how to behave. Puppies need to be taught that they can't jump on people, sniff crotches, sleep on the couch or chew shoes. Puppies aren't born knowing that they can't pee in the house or how to walk on a leash or how to control the urge to chase every squirrel they come across. People who get puppies usually go into it knowing there will be a certain amount of work, failure and frustration ahead of them before their pet gets it.

At my place of work, if an owner came in with a puppy and announced that he was teaching the dog to stay off the couch by hitting it, there would be an uproar. Allegations of animal abuse aside, this method of training is ineffective and, in the long run, the owner risks having a fearful animal that won't get on the couch, but might bite the mailman.

An untrained dog is a menace, but it's possible to effectively train a dog without raising your hand. The same can be said for children. Children need to be disciplined, but in my opinion it's possible to do that effectively without using spanking as a means. For example:

Be consistent--Puppies get confused if every person in a household is using a different training technique. The same can be said for kids. Decide which rules are non-negotiable, set your consequences, and then stick to them. Every time. In my house, most of the rules with zero wiggle room have to do with manners and safety. Carseats and bike helmets are a must; name calling, being cruel or hurtful and hitting are not tolerated.

Be persistent--A puppy won't learn after the first chewed shoe that only approved toys can be gnawed on. An owner can expect more episodes of destruction before the dog learns which items can be chewed and which need to be left alone. Likewise, you can't realistically expect a toddler or preschooler to grasp that you mean it the first time they are scolded. Depending on the kid and the infraction, you might have to repeat yourself many, many times. My 5 year old knows he isn't allowed to jump on the couch, but sometimes he has a hard time overcoming the impulse to do so. If I had a dollar for every time I said, "The couch is not a trampoline, please get down," I'd have a fortune, but I've noticed that as he gets older, I say it less and less.

Use praise and positive reinforcement--Punishing a puppy after the fact is rarely helpful, particularly since very young dogs have short attention spans. Instead, we recommend using treats and praise when a puppy does something good. "Catching them being good" is also an excellent way to encourage a child to practice good behavior and consider possible consequences before they do something. This doesn't mean you need to use superlatives (You're the best big brother ever!); there are dozens of opportunities throughout the day to say something positive without gushing (I noticed how you helped your little sister wash her hands, I bet she appreciates that.).

Redirect "misbehavior"--Dogs need to chew. It's good for their jaws, good for their teeth, good for their gums. So when a puppy exercises his jaws on your stuff, you need to teach him that while he can't chew your shoes, he CAN chew his toys. Same for kids. My 5 year old has a physical need to jump and run and be active. It's not okay for him to jump on my couch, but rather than trying to stop him jumping altogether, it's been more effective for me to help him find something to do that meets his needs in an appropriate way. Pick your battles. You don't have to discipline every single infraction.

Foster age appropriate expectations and administer discipline accordingly--It's not fair to punish a young puppy for a puddle in the house when the owner left it alone for eight hours or more. The same can be said for a toddler kept out at an adult function for hours past his bedtime. It's possible to avoid behavior problems if you have a firm understanding of age appropriate development and behavior and tailor your activities around them. This can be especially hard for bright children or kids with good vocabularies! My three year old has a wide vocabulary and is very well spoken, so it's difficult for me to not get impatient with her when she can't express her feelings. It helps to remember that she's only three. And make sure that your discipline of choice is age appropriate.

How about you? Have you seen parallels between a pup and a child? And can you add any principles to this list?

**Crossposted at API Speaks.

Menu Plan: Suddenly Cold

Ack! In my last menu plan, I was complaining about the incredible heat. And Mother Nature must have thought I had something against warmth, because now it's cold. It was so chilly when I went to work on Saturday morning that I wished I hadn't packed my winter clothes away, and today was rainy and windy. Oh well.

The next few weeks are looking pretty busy, between family and work obligations, so I'm looking for meals that will be quick and easy. And if my kids will actually eat them, even better!

**Slowcooker Macaroni and Cheese--Although this is a crockpot recipe, it takes less than 4 hours. So it's a great option for a day when you plan to be home, but have a lot to accomplish. Veggies and salad to go with it.
**Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes--I love how tender the crockpot makes cheaper cuts of meat. And I love how it doesn't heat up the kitchen. Gravy, veggies and salad on the side.
**Creamy Roast Beef Sandwiches--A great way to use up leftover roast beef! Homemade french fries to go with it. And maybe chips or something.
**Wild Rice Chicken Casserole--This recipe was originally a cook-once-eat-twice meal. I'm splitting it in half and just making one. Garlic bread and some kind of veggie to go with it.
**Crispy Coconut Chicken--We had this recently, but both kids really like it, and it's also easy. I usually make it with boneless chicken, which decreases the cooking time. Peas to go with it.

What are you eating these days?

True Lemon Giveaway For World Water Day

March 22, 2010 marked World Water Day and the theme this year was Clean Water For A Healthy World. In the United States, our water is usually safe, and it's easy to forget that there are parts of the world where dirty water causes illness and death. Visit the World Water Day website for more on awareness and fundraising.

I don't really worry about sanitation problems with our water, but as a resident of a port city, only a few blocks from the water, I do worry about chemicals, trash and other risks. Especially since all the sewers in the city drain into the Bay! Visit downtown on the day after heavy rain and the amount of trash floating in the Harbor is disgusting. For this reason, we use environmentally friendly weed killer in our yard, harmless but effective methods of insect control in the kitchen during ant season, and we recycle water. It's worth the effort to keep our water clean.

On a personal note, my family is big on drinking water, but I have a pretty nasty diet soda habit that I've been trying to ditch for ages. After many failures, I'm gearing up for another go, and this time I'm hoping to make the water I drink SO good, soda will pale in comparison.


True Lemon is a 100% natural crystallized lemon product that gives the taste of fresh lemon without the mess or rotting fruit in the fridge. True Orange and True Lime are also available, and are great options for cooking, traveling, camping, or for people like me who want to increase their water consumption. I'll hopefully be updating often on my quest to ditch the soda using True Lemon products, so please check back often (and also send me good thoughts--I need them!).

One lucky reader will win a package of the entire True Lemon product line. That is, one box each of True Lemon, True Orange and True Lime, 20 packets per box. To enter, leave me a comment telling me something you do (or can do) to help keep our water clean. I MUST have a valid email address for you comment to count as an entry! This contest will be open for 4 days and I'll choose and notify a winner on Monday, April 12, 2010. Good luck!

Edited to add: Congrats to 3 For Me! She wins a package of the True Lemon product line.

Menu Plan: Suddenly Hot

I'm hoping that after our winter of record snowfall, we won't have a summer of record hotness. Because it's only early April and it was 90+ degrees today.

The kids are on spring break this week, which is awesome because we can sleep in if we want, and I can take as long as I want at the gym without having to rush off to school.

Due to the weather, I spent the past couple of days swapping clothes and putting away the fleece and heavy coats. And I have a project in mind for the yard maybe Thursday.

Since it's hot, and we're busy and I don't much feel like cooking complicated meals, here is what we are eating:

**Roti Chicken with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies--Don't you judge me! I love a good rotisserie chicken when I don't feel like making my own. As it was, I nearly died from heatstroke making the potatoes! This is always a great option when you want non-takeout food and are short on time.
**Ranch Chicken Salad Sandwiches--Made with...leftovers from the roti chicken. And salads. And maybe chips or something else that doesn't require heat.
**One Pot Chicken Dinner--Crockpot, actually. Hot food, no sweltering kitchen. Score!
**Spaghetti and Meatballs--I have homemade sauce from last years tomatoes still in the freezer. And frozen meatballs. Garlic bread to go with it.
**Tilapia with Bulgur Pilaf--This is a recipe from Little Stomaks that looks delish. And I actually remembered to check my stock of bulgur!
**Blueberry Pancakes--I also have some frozen blueberries that have reached their final month. So we'll d a breakfast for dinner night with eggs and toast too.

What do you eat when it's hot?

Easter 2010

Easter this year was warmer than the past several years, which was nice because it meant sleeveless dresses and sandals instead of tights and coats. Below, some photos of our lovely day.

Choosing A Bedroom Theme--Review Teaser

Last summer, I was thrilled to have the chance to review a sand table from All Children's Furniture, one of the many websites available through CSNStores.com. I'm happy to be working with the company again, and this time I'll be reviewing a bedding set for my son. If you're a big online shopper, pop over to CSNStores.com to check out their variety of products, everything from cribs to garden furniture to cookware.

Many parents put a lot of thought into how to decorate the nursery when a baby comes along. When our first was born, we chose a bedding set that appealed to us, and did some basic decorating around that theme, but we did not paint, wallpaper, stencil or any other more permanent feature.

That first baby is 5 1/2 now, and we have a definite idea of his personality, the things he likes, and what sort of room he would like. So I'm keeping it a surprise which bedding set I chose for him, but I think he'll love it. Stay tuned for the review coming soon.

In the meantime, I'd love to hear how you decided on a decorating theme for your child's room. Leave a comment!

Hands Off Parenting

When my son, now 5 1/2, was one year old, he wasn't pointing or waving. The pediatrician was a little concerned. Developmentally speaking, most children are doing both by a year, and the absence of those skills can be an early sign of autism.

I wasn't worried though. My child had met or exceeded all his other milestones, was walking well and had no problems communicating. After our appointment, I went home and stewed for a bit because I felt she was being overly cautious and a little alarmist. And when she called a few days later with the results of his lead test, I brought up her concerns.

He wasn't waving because it wasn't something he saw very often, since I was a stay home mom and my husband left for work before he woke for the day. Once we made an effort to wave to him and each other, he picked it up easily. And he wasn't pointing because he didn't really need to. Anything he needed or wanted was either within reach, or I anticipated his needs, feeding him before he got hungry enough to ask, getting toys before he reached for them.

I was right, his development was fine, but there's another point illustrated here, and that is that a parent can sometimes be too conscientious.

It's normal to not want our kids to hurt themselves, or fail at something, or get frustrated. It's very easy to step in to help them, or to not let them try things at all. We all want to be hands on parents. But is it good for them?

That non-pointing and non-waving one year old is now going on six and is getting ready to enter kindergarten in the fall, where he will be expected to write, to tie his own shoes, carry his own books, put on and zip his own coat, wash and dry his own hands without a reminder to push up his sleeves, and a number of other activities. He'll have to remember his own homework and work out disagreements with classmates on his own.

That's why most of the time these days, I'm more of a hands off parent.

He gets his own snacks when he's hungry, pours his own drinks, and can fix simple meals like sandwiches, waffles and oatmeal.

He makes his own bed, dresses himself, showers by himself and puts his dirty clothes into the laundry room.

When he asks for help, I usually tell him to try it himself first. And when he isn't getting along with his sister, I tell them to work it out on their own. I only intervene when it gets ugly.

My younger child is 3 1/2 and we're doing pretty much the same thing with her, on an age appropriate level. (She's way too small to get a gallon of milk out of the fridge. You don't really want to know how I know this.)

Being there for our kids and being involved with them doesn't always mean we need to be right there at all times. We need to let them figure it out on their own sometimes.

Think about it--Is there any area in your life as a parent where you think you and your child could benefit from being hands off?

*crossposted at API Speaks.