Motherhood

Is Your Volunteering Truly Benefiting Your Child?

When I was growing up, my mom was always involved in our elementary school. She was active in the PTA, served as president and worked as a teacher’s aide in my later years. I enjoyed having my mom be a part of my education and visible in the school. This left such an impact on me that I am now involved in my daughters’ school. Like my mom, I am active, but work to give my children space to be themselves and find their own place without their mother hovering. Unlike my mom, I work outside the home. Also unlike my mom, I do not participate in the PTA directly, but help out in other capacities. I help in the classroom, fill Friday folders, act as room parent, organize the science fair and sit on the school improvement committee. I also ran a science club last fall. After that list...

Saturday mornings: from cartoons to crosswords to cardio

What have your Saturday mornings looked like through the decades of your life?

Mama Drama: Stop Refereeing and Turn Your Kids into Solution Finders

Dear Mama Drama: I have two boys ages 4 and 7. They struggle to solve problems between themselves when they are playing and my husband and I often feel like referees. I’d like them to be able to handle play situations better, but am not sure where to start. Help! ~Stumped Mama

Surviving the Wake of the Holiday Season with MomPower

Fruitcake and Antidepressants. They were two of the top “trending now” items on my Yahoo mail page this morning – along with Matthew McConaughey and Mitt Romney. I’m not really sure why this caught my eye but it did.   It’s one of the most sought out Christmas gifts in our culture…TecHNoLoGY…and yet with the many gadgets and gadgets received this holiday season, the millions of web surfers, the infinite number of topics to spark our curiosity and all we can come up with is fruitcake and antidepressants – with a little Matt and Mitt in the mix?  

Mama Drama: December Birthday Blues

Dear Mama Drama: My three-year-old daughter has a December birthday and we are inundated with toys and “stuff” from our very generous family. We appreciate their gifts, but are all a bit overwhelmed by the amount of new toys. My daughter tends to leave them strewn about the house bouncing from one activity to the next, then struggles to clean them up usually ending in a meltdown. We need ideas to help find some balance with it all. (photo credit) ~Appreciative, But Overwhelmed Mama

When kids save the drama for their mama

There are two types of kids. Kids who behave better for other people than for their parents and kids that are better behaved for their parent than other adults. My boys are better for other people. At school they are respectful and hard-working. I’ve been know to act incredulous whenever someone compliments me on my well-mannered sons. Pleased, but surprised, nonetheless. At home, they are loud, messy, and

Mama Drama: Supporting Non-Violence in Toddlers

Dear Mama Drama: My 22-month-old son has recently started using his toy trains in a way that looks and sounds like a gun to my husband and I. He points the trains at us and makes a “pshh, pshh” sound. (photo credit) We are vigilant about not exposing him to violence and are stunned by his behavior. It feels awful to have my child shooting at me. We believe he has picked up the behavior from a boy

Have You Ever Suffered From Post Traumatic Holiday Disorder?

I have a picture of it, but you actually had to see it to believe it. My parents’ home, filled to the brim with holiday merriment and various people. Some related, some not, and in keeping with Southern tradition…some we’re still not sure about.

How to Throw a Cookie Exchange Party & Enjoy Our Fabulous Recipes!

I will bet all of you would agree that one of the best things about the holidays is the wonderful smell of Christmas cookies. While it may be a tradition for many families, it is also one of the most time-consuming. Have you wanted to discover a new holiday tradition that helps this dilemma, but keeps the fun of baking in your family’s life? Well now you can by hosting a cookie exchange! Moms are crazy about cookie swaps this time of year. There are a few simple steps to make your party a hit. Invite your friends to bring their favorite cookie recipes to share (preferably at least a dozen, depending on how many people are planning to arrive). Ask them to bring a container so they can bring some cookies home. Have a large table available to arrange the beautiful colors and assortments of co...

Mama Drama: Making the Holiday Season Managable for Kids

Dear Mama Drama: Last year I noticed that my daughter had a really difficult time managing her emotions and behavior during the holidays. She would fall apart at the store, family gatherings, and even at school. She is four this year so I’m hoping things will be better, but am wondering if there is anything I can do to help her handle things more smoothly? ~Hoping for smooth Holidays (photo credit) Dear Mama Drama: The holiday season can be lots of fun with family to see, presents to buy, and events to attend. However, it is important to remember that preschoolers can be overwhelmed by all of the activity resulting in meltdowns, tantrums, and much less fun for all. As the busy season begins remember to: Keep a regular schedule as much as possible. Waking up, eating, and going to bed consis...

A Recipe For Giving Thanks (and what are you grateful for?)

On Thursday, many families and friends in our culture will take part in a celebration of giving thanks. This holiday is traditionally hinged upon the abundance of provisions, predominantly of the edible sort. Following laborious culinary preparations, groups of ravenous adults and children gather ‘round a feast to devour that for which they are thankful. AND realistically, this overly simplified characterization of the obvious completely misses the entire point, which I believe is nestled in the hearts of those who share in the fullness of this celebration…INteNTIoNaL THaNkFuLneSs.

Mama Drama: Preventing Sexual Abuse

Dear Mama Drama: With the recent news about sexual abuse at Penn State, I’m concerned about my own children’s safety. How do I talk to them about staying safe without scaring them? What precautions should I be taking when they are with other people to ensure they are not put in risky situations? ~Concerned Mama (photo credit) Dear Concerned: The tragic situation at Penn State is a good reminder to all of us that we need to have regular conversations with our children about safe touch. While these are not easy conversations, they are essential to keeping our kids safe. In August our Mile High Mamas intern, Nicole, wrote an informative piece about talking with kids about sexual abuse and safe touch. Click here to read it. The key points remind us to talk about our bodies naturally, teach chi...