ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gif ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Prince's half-time show a phallic thing?http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/07/princes-half-time-show-a-phallic-thing/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/07/princes-half-time-show-a-phallic-thing/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/07/princes-half-time-show-a-phallic-thing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I'm not a big Super Bowl person. In fact, I didn't even know the Colts were from Indiana until I sat down at a friend's house to watch the game. Okay, truth be told it was an excuse for a few mothers to get together for a drink while our kids watched the show downstairs and played, but I'm still claiming it was a football thing.

Anyway, amidst our Sunday afternoon of mom gossip and cocktail hour, we heard the kids shouting from downstairs about weenies. Knowing that they had not eaten any hot dogs, the moms flocked to the television in time to see the half time show of Prince playing his symbol behind the see-through curtain.

"Dude, look! He's playing his Thing!" shouted one of ourssons. "No, man, that's his guitar, you fool!" claimed another. "No way, man. That's his unit!"

And so it went on. It did, indeed, look rather phallic to me. Sure, I had consumed a glass of wine but I swear Prince was playing his weenie behind that curtain. What do you think? Any thoughts?




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]]>gossip momsGossipMomsHalftime showHalftimeShowphallic symbolsPhallicSymbolsPrincePurple RainPurpleRainSuper BowlSuperBowlwineHeatherWed, 07 Feb 2007 11:30:00 ESTThe child-free weekends of divorced lifehttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/the-child-free-weekends-of-divorced-life/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/the-child-free-weekends-of-divorced-life/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/the-child-free-weekends-of-divorced-life/#commentsFiled under: ,

Recently I was sitting around chatting with a few other mothers while our older sons played. One of the moms looked at me and said with complete honesty, "Man, you're so lucky to be divorced! What do you do with all that free time you get to yourself when the kids are with their dad?" She then went on to tell me about her various divorced friends and all of the wonderful things they do on their weekends off duty.

Hmmm. I had to pause for a moment while I chewed on the thought before I replied, "Well, I guess that could be a description for my single state. But truth be told, by the time my weekend comes I am pretty beat. I usually spend most of it just trying to catch my breath before they come home again."

I guess I probably could do some fairly fabulous things with my 48 hours of child-free time. And maybe someday when I get more into the groove of being single, I will venture out of the house more. But for right now, I enjoy my Saturday nap and my extra time to sleep in on Sunday before I begin laundry, grocery shopping and the week ly planning. It's not the glamorous existence my friend seems to think it is, but that nap is pretty golden.

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]]>child free timeChildFreeTimedivorcefree timeFreeTimesingle lifeSingleLifeweekends with dadWeekendsWithDadHeatherMon, 05 Feb 2007 16:00:00 ESTLife with just one child, it seems so peacefulhttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/life-with-just-one-child-it-seems-so-peaceful/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/life-with-just-one-child-it-seems-so-peaceful/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/life-with-just-one-child-it-seems-so-peaceful/#commentsFiled under: ,

Friday night my two younger children were with their father for the weekend. My oldest, Loren, spent the night with me in an effort to find some peace and quiet in the hours before he took the SSAT test on Saturday. We had dinner, had a real conversation and then watched a DVD together. There was no arguing over who got which space on the couch. There were no tantrums. We spent the night in perfect harmony.

The peaceful exchange got me to wondering just what life would be like with only one child. Would it always be such a tranquil existence? Is the lack of stress why my friends with one child always seem more at peace with the universe? If I just had one child, would I be thinner, have fewer wrinkles, think deeper thoughts, do better things with my life?

No. Not too likely, but a change in schedule always makes the grass look greener on the other side. I love my kids and the crazed existence we lead. But I might have to send two of them away more often so that the other one and I can experience the peace together.

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]]>divorcefightspeaceful homesPeacefulHomessibling rivalrySiblingRivalrysquabblestantrumsthree kidsThreeKidsHeatherMon, 05 Feb 2007 14:58:00 ESTBusiness travel getting more friendly for the whole familyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/business-travel-getting-more-friendly-for-the-whole-family/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/business-travel-getting-more-friendly-for-the-whole-family/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/business-travel-getting-more-friendly-for-the-whole-family/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In my previous life I had to do a fair amount of travel for my job. Although it was always nice to get away to the beach or the city, I always missed my kids and wished I could take them with me.

More and more businesses are realizing that parents feel this way and are making efforts to hold business trips in areas that feature family friendly options.

More conferences are being held in hotels that feature companions for the 'tween and teen crowds. These guardians can take kids to see local sites or to adventure parks to keep the children entertained and out of trouble. For the younger set, drop-in day care facilities are becoming more popular. Because these services are located in resorts, they often attract care givers with degrees in childhood development or even nursing certifications. The resorts are often quite picky about their applicants and are not shy about turning away a less apt employee in favor of one with better credentials. Not a bad feature to have when you are tied up all day in a meeting and don't have to worry about the safety of your child.

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]]>business travelBusinessTravelchild safetyChildSafetyearly childhood developmentEarlyChildhoodDevelopmentnursing degreesNursingDegreesHeatherMon, 05 Feb 2007 11:05:00 ESTWhy do parents keep "dangerous" dogs around their kids?http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/why-do-parents-keep-dangerous-dogs-around-their-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/why-do-parents-keep-dangerous-dogs-around-their-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/05/why-do-parents-keep-dangerous-dogs-around-their-kids/#commentsFiled under:

Every few months a story pops up in the national headlines about a family whose dog has either mauled or killed a child. The most recent one involves a pit bull puppy that allegedly destroyed the foot of a young boy with spina bifida. Because the boy has no feeling below his waist, he could not feel the young dog chewing his foot. The dog has been euthanized, the boy now has a deformed foot, people are again left in shock. This is obviously a sad story for all involved. The already disabled boy has yet another physical trauma, the mother likely feels guilt ridden, an animal is dead.

But I have to wonder why, oh why, do people continue to bring "dangerous" animals into their homes when young kids are either present or near by? I understand that not all pit bulls or rottweilers are aggressive. But why tempt a situation? Do your research, find an older, more mellow dog that has a proven record of benevolence. If you are moving to a neighborhood, look round the adjoining properties to scout out what kind of animals live there. If you know your neighbor is planning to get a dog, find out what kind. It might sound a bit extreme, but when children are involved nothing is ever too safe.

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]]>dangerous dogsDangerousDogsdog bitesDogBitesillegal dogsIllegalDogspit bullsPitBullsrottweiler dogsRottweilerDogsspinal bifudaSpinalBifudaHeatherMon, 05 Feb 2007 09:00:00 EST"Because I Said So", a movie all about moms and daughtershttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/03/because-i-said-so-a-movie-all-about-moms-and-daughters/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/03/because-i-said-so-a-movie-all-about-moms-and-daughters/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/03/because-i-said-so-a-movie-all-about-moms-and-daughters/#commentsFiled under: ,

With three kids ranging in ages from 2 1/2 to 13 1/2, I often find it difficult to get some one on one time with them. It seems the weekends fly by and the weeknights are devoted to homework. So yesterday afternoon, with approval from her teacher, I took Cassidy out of school for a couple of hours to see the movie "Because I Said So".

Funny enough, this is a movie about the tenuous relationship between mothers and daughters. Diane Keaton plays an overbearing/meddlesome mother who only wants the best for her grown daughters. The main daughter, played by Mandy Moore, wants to grow up but is still deeply enmeshed with her mom. It is a lovely comedy that encompasses the beauty and pain of the mother/daughter relationship.

On the way home from the theater, Cassidy told me she hoped that I would never be as meddlesome as Diane Keaton's character, but she said she hoped that I would love her that much even when she was all grown up. As I thought about the mother and daughter in the movie, I reflected on my relationship with my own mother. It is one that can sometimes drive me to weep, but more often brings a smile to my face and love to my heart, similar to the movie characters. This is a movie that exaggerates, but it leaves you feeling good. It is perfect to see with your mom or daughter.

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]]>daughtersenmeshed daughtersenmeshed mothersEnmeshedDaughtersEnmeshedMothersmothersHeatherSat, 03 Feb 2007 13:04:00 ESTWatch that bubblebath, it may give your boy breastshttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/watch-that-bubblebath-it-may-give-your-boy-breasts/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/watch-that-bubblebath-it-may-give-your-boy-breasts/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/watch-that-bubblebath-it-may-give-your-boy-breasts/#commentsFiled under: ,

Huh? I saw this headline and couldn't quite believe it. But it appears that lavender and tee tree oil can, in very rare cases, cause gynecomastia in young boys.

The essential oils have become popular for use in bath oils, lotions and shampoos. There is a chemical in the oils that the body processes as if it were estrogen, thus the breast growth in young boys.

Luckily the breasts disappear once the oils are no longer used. And as stated above, the occurrence of gynecomastia is very rare. All the same, I think we'll stick to Mr. Bubble for Devon.

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]]>bubble bathBubbleBathessential oilsEssentialOilsgynecomastialavender oilLavenderOillotionspotionsshampootee tree oilTeeTreeOilHeatherFri, 02 Feb 2007 18:00:00 ESTWhen the Ten Commandments take roothttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/when-the-ten-commandments-take-root/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/when-the-ten-commandments-take-root/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/when-the-ten-commandments-take-root/#commentsFiled under: ,

Both of my older children have attended a weekly religious education class since they were in Kindergarten. For the most part the classes take a fun but serious approach to learning about the Catholic religion. It must be working because there is a minimal amount of complaining from either one. Loren, at age 13, is not as enthusiastic about the class as he was when he was younger, but Cassidy tends to get hold of a concept or lesson and spread it as loudly and as often as she can.

Recently Cassidy's class covered the Ten Commandments. She came home with a giant poster board that had rock shapes bearing the Ten Big Ones. She carried it to the dinner table, to the bathroom and for about two weeks it traveled to bed with her. When her brother would take the Lord's name in vain, she would raise her sign and say, "Ahem, excuuuuuuse me, but you have violated number..." When her brother would not heed my words, she would again pipe up and inform just which commandment he had broken. Of course the sign came in quite handy when I was able to point out her inability to honor my words.

Sometime in the last week Cass' sign has gone missing; I suspect that Loren has something to do with its disappearance. Though I can't say that I miss the sign's presence during meals, I do think having a fairly strong understanding of the commandments has added to Cassidy's grasp of right and wrong.

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]]>Catholicismreligionreligious zealotsReligiousZealotssibling rivalrySiblingRivalryten commandmentsTenCommandmentsHeatherFri, 02 Feb 2007 17:00:00 ESTSienna Miller wants to breedhttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/sienna-miller-wants-to-breed/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/sienna-miller-wants-to-breed/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/sienna-miller-wants-to-breed/#commentsFiled under: ,

No matter what Sienna Miller does, fashionistas the world over copy her every accessory. Where would skinny jeans be without her? But her newest desired accessory is a wee bundle of joy.

Reportedly, the actress is very much looking forward to having a baby. She thinks that life "will suddenly make sense" once she has a baby.

Sure, life changes after you have baby. Your opinions alter. Your time demands are different. But does it make sense? i can't quite agree with that one, but maybe she know something I don't. Regardless, once she has a mate she will likely set some pregnancy fashion trends while making a beautiful child.

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]]>babiesfashion victimsFashionVictimsmaking senseMakingSensesienna millerSiennaMillerskinny jeansSkinnyJeansHeatherFri, 02 Feb 2007 14:00:00 ESTRemembering Valentine's Day preparationshttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/remembering-valentines-day-preparations/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/remembering-valentines-day-preparations/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/remembering-valentines-day-preparations/#commentsFiled under: ,

One of my favorite memories from elementary school is the Valentine's Day boxes we would construct in preparation of the annual Valentine's Day card deliveries from our classmates. There was something so exciting about it for me, knowing that each and every one of my classmates would be depositing a small bit of their friendship into my mailbox.

More often than not, I used an old shoebox for my cards. But sometimes our teachers would mix it up a bit and request empty Kleenex boxes or plastic milk containers for the project. I think my all time favorite was the year we covered balloons in papier machet, popped the balloons and then cut small slots for the cards.

While trolling about on the Internet, I recently found this box made from wooden craft sticks. As shown, it is described as a jewelry box, but with a few alterations it could easily be used as a card delivery box. I like this idea, it would make for a great afternoon craft idea. What do you use for Valentine's boxes? Anything out of the ordinary?

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]]>balloonscraft stickscraftsCraftStickslovemailboxesValentine's dayValentine'sDayHeatherFri, 02 Feb 2007 13:34:00 ESTWho's child is better? Parents who just can't stop comparinghttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/whos-child-is-better-parents-who-just-cant-stop-comparing/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/whos-child-is-better-parents-who-just-cant-stop-comparing/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/02/whos-child-is-better-parents-who-just-cant-stop-comparing/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lately I have been struggling with one of my mom-friends who is quite convinced that her 14 year-old son is better/smarter/faster/more angelic than my son. As our boys get older, get into mischief, sass back, it is all too easy to point the fingers at the friends in an effort to convince ourselves that our son is not to be blamed for these behavior changes. So my friend will frequently call me and launch into a tirade about how her son is merely an innocent target and that his friends are to be blamed.

Sigh.

I adore my friend and I understand that she is having a difficult time coping with some major issues in her life, but I am getting pretty fed up with defending my child to her. I am not blind enough to believe my spawn has no role in these behavior changes, but I do take into account that children respond to their environments and behave or act out accordingly. My son has been displaying some bad behaviors and he has been restricted in many of his social activities as result of his actions. While I believe these punishments have helped him to make some better decisions, my friend sees the reprimands as proof of my child's badness....

I could go on and on, but it really isn't all that exciting. My question is this, do you have a friend who does this? How do you cope? If you want to keep the friendship, but stop the bashing, how do you confront this?

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]]>bad kidsBadKidsbehavior problemsBehaviorProblemsbraggin parentsBragginParentsHeatherFri, 02 Feb 2007 12:01:00 ESTNew York Fasion Week responds responsibly to use of thin modelshttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/new-york-fasion-week-responds-responsibly-to-use-of-thin-models/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/new-york-fasion-week-responds-responsibly-to-use-of-thin-models/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/new-york-fasion-week-responds-responsibly-to-use-of-thin-models/#commentsFiled under: ,

The New York Fashion Week, scheduled to begin this Friday, has a made a few changes to its line up. The use of super skinny models is out this year. This issue has been red hot this year, making headlines again and again.

Although a rare few of us ever make it to these shows, the images are broadcast across the Internet and the styles trickle down to the major stores where most of us can afford to shop. As a result, these shows actually do have an impact on our daughters. And as a mother of a fashion hungry 'tween, I am more than excited to hear that the super skinny models are being sent elsewhere. Maybe they are being ordered to eat a balanced meal so that they can come back to runway. What do you think? Good move for the fashion industry?

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]]>anorexiabulimiaeating disordersEatingDisordersfashion trendsFashionTrendsNew York Fashion WeekNewYorkFashionWeekSUper Skinny modelsSuperSkinnyModelstoo skinnyTooSkinnyHeatherThu, 01 Feb 2007 19:00:00 ESTJust because it says "organic", doesn't mean it's fat-freehttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/just-because-it-says-organic-doesnt-mean-its-fat-free/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/just-because-it-says-organic-doesnt-mean-its-fat-free/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/just-because-it-says-organic-doesnt-mean-its-fat-free/#commentsFiled under:

I have mentioned a time or two before that I am an absolute sucker for nearly any food that sports an "organic" label. Every time I buy an organic food I feel like a better mom. Apparently I am not alone in this, in 2006 Americans increased their buying of organic foods by nearly 14%. More and more Americans are embracing the organic food trend as it moves from fringe foods like brown rice and tempeh to more main stream items like chips or macaroni and cheese.

As mentioned in this article, consumers should keep in mind that it is not wise to confuse the term "organic" with low-cal or fat-free. Just because that package of Paul Newman's cookies says it is organic, those babies still contain high amounts of fat and not much fiber. The same with salad dressing, Little Annie's salad oils are made with organic products, but they still boast fat, fat, fat.

The bottom line is this, organic products are made with chemical free ingredients, making them better for the body and environment. But a cookie is a cookie is a cookie. You might feel like a better mom knowing your child is ingesting an organic Oreo, but it still all too important to give your kids a healthy, balanced diet. I'll try to keep this in mind the next time I am in the snack aisle.

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]]>cookiesdietsOreosorganic foodOrganicFoodPaul Newman's Own foodPaulNewman'sOwnFoodHeatherThu, 01 Feb 2007 18:28:00 ESTThe art of test preppinghttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/the-art-of-test-prepping/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/the-art-of-test-prepping/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/the-art-of-test-prepping/#commentsFiled under: ,

For a great number of eighth grade students across the country, the SSAT and similar such tests are a part of the high school admissions process. Most students have been exposed to standardized tests during their academic careers, but the SSAT elevates test taking to the next level. Much rides on the results of these tests, causing quite a bit of anxiety to surround them.

This Saturday my thirteen year-old, Loren, will take his first SSAT. Unlike a majority of the kids in his age group he has never before taken a standardized test. He attends a Waldorf school where there is no such thing as a multiple choice test. In an effort to overcome this obstacle, he has spent time with a tutor and a test booklet to help him prepare for this endeavor. He and a number of classmates have been attending tutoring sessions where they cover everything from test format to the psychological preparation that they will begin they night before the test.

On Friday afternoon Loren will begin preparing for this all important test which will take place bright and early on Saturday morning. Much in keeping with the tips from this article, my son will spend a quiet Friday night at home, eat a healthy dinner, get a good night of sleep. Then the morning of the test he will get up early, eat a healthy breakfast, spend about 30 minutes exercising followed by some quiet time where he will "see and be" the test, After that we will get in the car so that we can arrive early enough for him to spend a few more minutes of quiet time for some last minute focusing. Will it all work? I don't know, but I am glad to see him embracing the effort. That's gotta be worth something right there.

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]]>focusinghigh school admissionsHighSchoolAdmissionsSSATstandardized testsStandardizedTeststest preppingWaldorf schoolsWaldorfSchoolsHeatherThu, 01 Feb 2007 17:30:00 ESTThe Nosefrida sheds new light on mucous eliminationhttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/the-nosefrida-sheds-new-light-on-mucous-elimination/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/the-nosefrida-sheds-new-light-on-mucous-elimination/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/the-nosefrida-sheds-new-light-on-mucous-elimination/#commentsFiled under:

A couple of years ago I ran across a product I would dearly have loved to have, it was a contraption that sucked mucous out of a young child's nose. My friend who was visiting me from Mexico City had brought it with her to use on her 10 month-old baby. We looked all around so that I could get one for Devon, but our efforts were in vain. Ever since then I have thought of that booger sucker every time I try to use those cumbersome bulb aspirators on Devon's nose.

A Blogging Baby reader sent us a tip on where to find such a booger sucker, and it even has a name: the Nosefrida. the gadget has one end that is inserted into a child's nose and on the other end the parent uses suction to remove the mucous. Although it sounds like a major bit of ick, there is no need to fear. The Nosefrida comes equipped with a special filter that guarantees no boogers will ever end up traveling the length of the tube. This gadget is a must have for small children and runny noses.

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]]>boogersflemmucousNosefridaHeatherThu, 01 Feb 2007 15:01:00 EST'Naked Brothers' not like all the other 'tween movieshttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/naked-brothers-not-like-all-the-other-tween-movies/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/naked-brothers-not-like-all-the-other-tween-movies/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/naked-brothers-not-like-all-the-other-tween-movies/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ah, finally. It sounds as if there might be a 'tween show that is not completely unbearable for parents to watch. 'The 'Naked Brothers Band Movie' takes a comical look at the all too many reality shows that follow young crooners as they begin to make it big on the music scene.

The new 'Naked' movie will spin off into a weekly Nickelodeon series that parodies the lives of the young rockers as they make it big in the world of bubble gum pop. It also features an over the top stage father who behaves badly.

As a parent of a blossoming 'tween, I welcome anything that does not feature Zack and Cody or anybody from the That's So Raven cast. I missed the movie when it aired, but I might have to take a peek at the weekly series, if it isn't too awful I might introduce it to my resident 'tween.

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]]>HeatherThu, 01 Feb 2007 14:00:00 ESTIs there an Ex Etiquette?http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/is-there-an-ex-etiquette/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/is-there-an-ex-etiquette/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/02/01/is-there-an-ex-etiquette/#commentsFiled under: ,

I learned long ago that when a girlfriend is complaining about her lousy boyfriend or husband that it is a bad idea to chime in and agree with her about what a rat he is. Inevitably they will reunite and she will remember any harsh words about the love of her life, regardless of the fact that the honest comments might be applicable.

Recently I have found myself smack in the middle of angry moms who have been burned a time too many by their ex-husbands. As they rant and rave about their former mates I always wonder what my role is. Am I to chime in and and agree about what a louse he is/was/always will be? Should I play the devil's advocate? Or is my best option to just sit and listen to the tirade? After all, my ear is free where as the lawyers' ears are not.

So I am left wondering, is there an Ex Etiquette? Do we still abide by the No Insult Rule after the possessions have been split and the decrees have been signed?

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]]>divorceEx Etiquetteex husbandsExesExEtiquetteExHusbandsgirlfriendslawyersHeatherThu, 01 Feb 2007 10:03:00 EST