Month: January 2016
Winter Is Here: Authors of “What Teenage Drivers Don’t Know: Unwritten Rules of the Road” Share Cold Weather Driving Safety Tips
John Harmata and Paul Zientarski, authors of “What Teenage Drivers Don’t Know: Unwritten Rules of the Road,” understand that parents of young drivers have one more thing to worry about when snow begins to fly and icy cold grips the land. Along with the major driving holidays, bad weather contributes to a significant number of accidents on the nation’s roadways. The lessons and insights Harmata and Zientarski share in their book are effective in any weather, but especially so in the tough conditions of winter. “Snow and ice present some of the biggest challenges to any driver,” says Harmata, “but taking the right precautions and following a few simple steps can keep even young drivers safe. Our book covers all aspects of being a safe, mindful driver...
What To Do When Your Kids Fight
Sibling rivalry is inevitable. In fact, in the 2-4 age group, kids will have some kind of fight every 6.3 minutes. That is almost 10 fights an hour! What can parents do to help resolve sibling conflict and form deeper bonds between their children? Kids in the House shares 4 expert tips on how to help your kids get along: 1. Never compare your kids The number one issue that causes lasting resentment between siblings is parental comparison. When a parent compares one child to another, what that child understands is that they are not good enough. This creates conflict between siblings and can increase tensions in the household. 2. Do not tolerate sibling bullying Sibling bullying is the most common type ...
10 Fabulous Eats & Treats to Celebrate the Broncos’ Superbowl Bid!
Denver has a lot to celebrate as the Denver Broncos advance to Super Bowl 50. There’s no better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than with food. And a lot of it. Here are some of our favorite ideas that will make your party a hit! Game Day Colored Candy Popcorn custom colored to the Broncos from Our Best Bites. ******* This Superbowl Nacho Bar is easy to do, and who wouldn’t get excited about making their own nachos? ******* These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Footballs are made with eggless cookie dough and are the perfect no bake treat for the Superbowl. ******* Food Network Kitchen has created some new twists on a classic party snack: pigs in blankets. Try their breakfast version with biscuit dough and maple syrup, or ma...
Snow Mountain Ranch: Colorado’s most affordable dog sledding and fat bike foibles
If you’re going to die (of laughter) I highly suggest bareling into a three-foot grave of snow. My friend Sheree were attempting Snow Mountain Ranch’s new Fat Bkes and were on our umpteenth wipe-out as we sluggishly plowed through the powder playground. I’ve long touted YMCA of the Rockies’ two locations–Snow Mountain Ranch (between Winter Park and Grand Lake) and the Estes Park Center–as Colorado’s most affordable and fun vacations. My family has been to Snow Mountain Ranch’s 5,100-acre expanse several times but we upped the fun factor by inviting two other families to join us in our revelries. We had the time of our lives–from a free movie (Nemo) in the Programs building to dog sledding to tubing, cross-count...
Playdates: Mom dating at its finest
Dating always totally sucked. You have to find someone who shares mutual interests and beliefs with you. Someone who you are comfortable with, and just generally enjoys the presence of this other human being. I thought this whole “seeking someone” thing was over when I got married to the man my dreams. Well, it turns out finding play dates is a lot like dating and it’s hard to find them. There needs to be a Mom Tinder. There is so much thought that goes into this whole play date process when you’ve never met this person before. You wonder what the mom will be like and how you will interact with her? What if they don’t vaccinate? What about the kid: What if the baby is a total jerk? What if my kid is a total jerk? Do I smell weird? W...
Roots Elementary: The radical approach this new charter school is taking
Not all students are created equally and that is the goal of Roots Elementary in Northeast Park Hill, a community-supported public charter school that is not only breaking barriers but it is downright crushing them with a radical new approach to time, talent and technology to create custom learning experiences for their scholars. After four years of planning, Roots Elementary is currently in its first year for K-1, Choice Enrolling grades K-2 for 2016-17, and will add a new grade every year through fifth grade. I’m an advocate of charter schools. I’m also an advocate of district-run schools. My kids have been enrolled in both and I’ve come to learn that while many charter and district-run schools are successful, others aren’t. Each child’...
A new year, a new school? Tips & resources for open enrollment
Are you participating in the open enrollment dance this year? You know, that frantic round of school tours, phone calls, coffee chats with other parents, stealth visits to schools to observe kids on the playground… If you are considering sending your child to a school other than the one in your neighborhood, then yes, you may be doing some or all of these things. Believe it or not, there are ways to prepare yourself for making the best school choice for your child. Long gone are the days when your child was required to attend your neighborhood school (although it’s great when the neighborhood school is the right fit).
Sititng Down with Christine Chang: Former 7News Anchor Turned SAHM
It’s been a year since Christine Chang stepped away from the 7News anchor desk and put on her full-time mom hat. We sat down to interview her about her transition from a busy, Emmy-award-winning anchor and reporter to stay-at-home home. ===== Do you miss it? That’s the question I often get asked when I meet someone who watches the weekend morning shows on Denver 7. The answer isn’t that simple. After all, I’ve been in television news for more than 18 years. 11 of those years at Channel 7 as a news anchor/reporter. I went to college for this dream job. I wanted to be the next Ann Curry from the Today Show! I was young, driven and ready to take on the world. After my husband and I were blessed with our son Rylan in December of 2013, something ...
Denver Deal: Newsies, Baskin Robbins, Free Days and More
Broncos fever has overtaken our house. Yes, we were screaming (as were our neighbors) after the Broncos win on Sunday. We have already started planning the SuperBowl party! Congrats to the Broncos. I understand why people root for sports teams – it does bring people together. It brings an entire city together. Free Days: Sunday and Monday, Jan 31 & Monday, Feb 1 – Denver Zoo Tuesday, Feb 2 –Chatfield Farms Noodles and Company. The last day to get the kids eat free at Noodles is on Jan 28 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Noodles & Company. Get a free kids meal with the purchase of any regular entrée at participating locations. The kids menu includes spaghetti & meatballs, mac & cheese, buttered noodles and grilled chicken breast, as well as a drink and tw...
15 Best Kids Movies in 2016
Let’s go to the movies! From Kung Foo Panda 3 to Finding Dory to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, there are some fabulous new releases to look forward to in 2016. Of course, dates are subject to change because it’s Hollywood, where the only guarantees are the unpredictable! 1. Norm of the North Release date: January 15, 2016 2. Greater Release date: January 20, 2016 3. Kung Fu Panda 3 Release date: January 29, 2016 4. Zootopia Release date: March 4, 2016 5. The Jungle Book Release date: April 15, 2016 6. Alice Through the Looking Glass Release date: May 27, 2016 7. Finding Dory Release date: June 17, 2016 8. Ice Age: Collision Course Release date: July 22, 2016 9. The BFG Release date: July 1, 2016 10. Pete’s Dragon Release date: August 12, 2...
Technology has hijacked dinnertime: this funny device can help!
I’m not sure if this new device is funny or a sad commentary on the culture in which we are raising our kids. Maybe a bit of both. Experts agree that sitting down as a family at dinnertime is one of the most important ways for families to connect and kids to succeed. Some of the specific benefits of family dinners are better academic performance, higher self-esteem, greater sense of resilience, lower risk of substance abuse, lower risk of teen pregnancy and so much more. (If you’d like to know more about the research behind the benefits of family dinners, Dr. Anne K. Fishel’s Food for Thought blog is a great place to start). So, why don’t we do it? In addition to overpacking our schedules, technology has hijacked family dinnertime. So to help bring ...
Volunteer your family for Snow Buddies to help seniors shovel their sidewalk
Do you want to teach your kids to volunteer while also being active? Volunteers of America Handyman Program is in great need of volunteers for shoveling seniors’ walkways and sidewalks in their annual Snow Buddies program. This program seeks to assist seniors 60 and better, living in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties with snow removal throughout the winter season. Volunteers and senior clients are matched when they live within 2 miles of each other. Volunteers are asked to shovel sidewalks and walkways for their senior buddy when it snows 2+ inches within a 24 hour period. Many of these Seniors can no longer complete this task themselves and need your help staying safe this winter. Volunteers of all ages are welcome! (16 and under must be accompanied by an adul...
