OC Family Alive in Wonderland

Holding back feels like a move forward

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:14:00 GMT

We've decided to have our son Ben repeat Kindergarten.

I knew it was coming. I spend time in the class and I can see he's just a little bit...not behind...a little bit... younger than the other boys. He's a good boy. He's a rule follower. He's a people pleaser. At the parent / teacher converence when his teacher told us why she was recommending it, the one word that kept coming up was "confidence."

That word spun around in my head for days. I started to use it as a bouncing board against everything he did. That's what he needed! He needed to strengthen his confidence. For a boy, I think confidence is especially crucial. It's a building block we wanted him to have moving forward into manhood.

So in a twist that only parenthood can deliver--holding him back is like a move forward.

When I thought about it and started asking around I never heard a parent say, "I wish I wouldN'T have held my son back." I never heard that. What I did hear a lot was, "I wish I WOULD have listen to the Kindergarten teacher and had him repeat a year." We don't see any downside in having him repeat his year.

He just had his birthday and turned six-years-old, and at his party I got a little sad thinking these friends won't be in the same class with him next year. But then I remembered he didn't know most of those boys before he started school, and, let's face it, all boys need to make a friendship is the willingness to use "bathroom words" freely, a mutual love of LEGOS and the ability to take a good, hard punch in the arm without tattling.

I think it's downright silly that there is this cloud of shame that surrounds the decision to have your kid repeat a year. Parents shouldn't ever be ashamed of doing what's best for their kids. I see moms whispering the news to other moms in the registration line and you can tell they are embarrassed. They shouldn't be!

Recently when one mom told me in a hushed voice she was following our suit and holding her son back, I let out a big, "good for you!" followed by a hug because a.) I'm a hugger, b.) I'm a believer in the big exaggerated gesture of support to other moms and, c.) I really like the mom and I'm happy to spend another year goofing off on field trips with her.

While I was out to lunch with some of my girlfriends the other day I told them about our decision and I got a big high five across the table from one of the my friends. "You are doing the right thing," she said, having learned the hard way with her now college-aged son. My other girlfriend, who's an eighth grade teacher said, "I see it all the time with boys in my grade. I see how an extra year could have helped him."

I feel relieved having the decision behind us. My son already knows he will "do Kindergarten two times" and seems perfectly happy with the idea. Frankly, I think he's a little relieved, too.

A curious pear

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:26:00 GMT

The new issue of OC Family is out on the stands now!

Here's my column for March.

(Larry, me and Madison for our engagement photo. 1997.)

I always wonder how other couples’ relationships work--what they talk about, if they brush their teeth side-by-side in the mirror every morning, how they decide on big-ticket items. It's the little things couples do in public that make me stare and stand too close, trying to eavesdrop on their conversations.

Like at Trader Joe's the other day, a couple was standing in front of the boxed fruit. The man was holding a box of Asian Pears and the woman was diligently trying to pry the perfectly square plastic box open (despite the galvanized tape) in order to...touch them, I guess. Calmly, the man used his long (freakishly, btw) index finger to lift the side so she could...yes, yes, she wanted to touch them and when she did, she immediately shook her head and waved them away.

He picked up another box and they began another hushed and passionate conversation about--Asian Pears. I tried to hear what they were saying, pretending I cared deeply about the Clementines sitting next to the pears. But they were enormously secretive and careful not to let the rest of us know what was so flippin' interesting about--Asian Pears.

Naturally, this made me think about my husband Larry and me. I can't even imagine having a conversation that long about pears. I remember once having a pretty lengthy conversation about how much we loved cheese, but it was more because we were hungry. We started asking each other outrageous questions like, “If you could make a deal that you never could eat cheese again, but you would then be able to fly, would you?” Seriously, who would make that deal? Like, nobody, but that's the kind of thing Larry and I talk about.

So you can understand my fascination with this couple at Trader Joe's. Larry and I had lots of conversations about them. Asian Pears just seems like a very particular and much more sophisticated thing to talk about than cheese. I mean, we would have flown by those pears at breakneck speed and thrown them in our cart (period). No discussion.

It made me wonder if we’re missing out on something. Don't things like this make you speculate about how different other people’s lives are? Are they happier? Their kids more intelligent? I see couples on weekend mornings who’ve obviously been out with their baby joggers, sipping their lattes, the Times in hand, and I think, "Huh, are we the only ones who wave our children away on weekend mornings, muttering from under our pillows about cartoons and directing them to the special 'Saturday' cereal?"

I guess it comes down to perspective--appreciating who I am and what I value. Being able to say to myself, "We're a couple who sleeps in and gives our children sugary cereal on Saturdays." And, I suppose, accepting that Larry and I are the type of couple that talks about the couple who talks about the Asian Pears…and being okay with that. Which I most certainly am.

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What's really at the end of the rainbow?

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:18:00 GMT

Just as my kids suspected...

At the end of the rainbow you'll find a Happy Meal, soda, and McDonald's fries.

If you look closely, you can see it's a double rainbow and, just as I suspected, that rainbow ends at The Bellagio Spa.

Sounds about right.

*****

You can be my friend on Facebook. Really. I would like that.

Lazy Dog Cafe: Raising the woof in Irvine

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:40:00 GMT

Have you been to The Lazy Dog Cafe yet?

With its sixth location opening tonight in Irvine at The Marketplace, its quickly becoming an Orange County favorite. My family would drive all the way to the Lazy Dog in Orange (That's where this happened) just to chill in their casual dinning room and enjoy their casual, creative fare, and now my kids are excited to have one right in our neighborhood.

I attended the pre-opening party on Tuesday night and, with the help of Priscilla, made this video. If you're hungry, you might want to wait until after lunch to watch it-- obligatory delicious food shots and long, detailed descriptions of entrees abound.

I interviewed Executive Chef, Gabriel Caliendo, and tried to get him to go all "Kitchen Nightmare" on the cheerful staff, but no dice, he's too nice of a guy. He does go through some of the dishes with me and helps this non-foodie understand what it is that is going out to the eager guests.

***The Details***

The Lazy Dog Cafe opens tonight at 5:00 pm.

Their kids' meals "For The Little Dogs" is a flat $4.95 and includes a drink and build-your-own sundae (8-years-old and younger). They also offer a meal "For The Big Dogs" which will run you between $5-$8.

Heated patio seating is available, and yes, you can bring your pooch.

Their motto: Sit. Stay. Eat.

The important stuff: 21 beers on tap and a load of specialty cocktails including a ginormous, fishbowl Long Island Iced Tea called "Boston Tea Party." For Happy Hour details, go here.

So good, even cat lovers will love it.

Check out my Whrrl story.

"Oh, the places you'll go!"

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:29:00 GMT

Today is Dr. Seuss' birthday. His books are the ones we read over and over to our kids. His books are the ones I want to keep in their keepsake boxes. He is my favorite children's author.

"Oh, The Places You'll Go" is my all-time favorite Seuss books. The messages in this book are not just for kids, but motivating and downright inspirational for adults, too.

I took this photo on a deserted highway in Arizona with this verse from Dr. Seuss in mind (because I'm a mind-maker-upper).

*****

Check out John Lithgow narrating "Oh, The Places You'll Go."

Oh, please listen if you've never read the book.

Happy Birthday to my son, the tough guy

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:08:00 GMT

My son Ben turns six-yeas-old today. Raising a boy has been so much more fun than I ever expected it to be. I love this age because boys are still cuddly and sweet, but, at the same time, trying to figure out what it means to be a man--to be tough.

He spends hours with his army men, just like my brothers did. All the fancy schmancy toys and gadgets out there, but the old standards like Legos, army men and sometimes just some string and tape are his favorites.

This was the scene last night after his bath...

At least he was nice and clean for his birthday.

*****

Here are a few of my favorite stories about Ben over the years:

What nicknames do you have for your son?

Is there anything cooler than a four-year-old boy?

Rhetorical questions I ask my four-year-old everyday.

George, my dog, no likey the rain

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:23:00 GMT

For some "Rain" isn't news, but in Southern California rain is a screaming headline, a reason for breaking news tickers running at the bottom of the T.V. screen. "Rain" is covered with the same intensity as a natural disaster and for my dogs--George in particular--it IS a disaster. You would think I asked him to cuddle with a cat the way he looked at me when I asked him (very politely) to go outside and do his business in the rain.

First with the attitude.

Then once I got him out there, there was the overly dramatic and reproachful shaking.

After several attempts at running for the door, came the waiting it out. Both of us standing out in the rain to see whose more stubborn. Who could out stare the other. Who could stand in the rain the longest.

"George is getting upset."

Finally, probably due to my years living in San Francisco, and my umbrella, I won out and he finally gave in.

He then high-tailed-it back to the door.

*****

Captain EO returns to Disneyland!

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:21:00 GMT

After being away from Disneyland for 13 years, Captain EO returned yesterday to the Magic Eye Theatre in Tomorrowland and the fans turned out in droves to be among the first to see the spruced-up version of the 1986 original film.

I was lucky enough to be asked to attend the first official screening of the "4-D" musical space adventure staring the late Michael Jackson. You can watch my video of the day below, which includes interviews with original cast members and creators.

Although I wasn't allowed to film any of the actual Captain EO movie, I will tell you, it was just as much fun as I remember and the '80s vibe was pulsing throughout; with mullets, shoulder-padded spacesuits, and lots of glitter. It was, like, totally awesome!

If you must see more, here's my Whrrl Report from the day as well.

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Sex doesn't sell at Target. Here's why.

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:03:00 GMT

You can tell a lot about a trend or product by checking out the clearance aisle of Target. You can see that a certain type of battery-powered toy dog that barked constantly wasn't a big seller or coconut lip gloss or even oatmeal in a cup. I like to stalk the "loser" section because sometimes I can grab a bargain and, you know, I feel sort of sorry for some of the items.

Sometimes, a jaunt down the markdown row is just plain funny. It's snicker-to- yourself, pull- out- your- iPhone-and-take-pictures amusing. This week I thought it was interesting to see what remnants were leftover from Target's Valentine's Day fare.

It was clear, checking out the markdowns, that sex didn't sell very well this Valentine's Day at Target. I don't mean romantic things; like hearts filled with candy, cute cards with cunning innuendoes or stuffed bears in sweaters. I mean like, sex stuff...sexy stuff.

There was a plethora of these chocolate body stencil kits left over--two whole shelves that greeted you as you entered the section. Even with the cute love birds and sweet packaging it still musters-up images you'd rather not think about as your kids tug at your shirt and whine for a box of Goldfish or that they had to go to the bathroom.

Then there were a ton this Ed Hardy candy and popcorn, which isn't really sexy, but more just kinda wrong and just done-to-death. I simply enjoyed seeing them stacked one on top of the other with little red tags on the side, so I thought I would share.

They probably thought these bags of ONLY GREEN M&M's **wink** wink** were going to fly off the shelves, but you could have your pick of any one of the 50 or so bags left over. The "New color of LOVE" just didn't catch on I guess.

Then, there was the "sexy" stuff. Now, I buy almost all of my...(Ahem) undergarments...from Target, but garder belts and black lace, in my opinion, should be left the professionals...and by professional I mean Victoria's Secret.

Now before you all think I'm a.) being a snob or b.) being a prude, let me tell you why I think they didn't sell and why I wouldn't buy them--at Target.

The first and most obvious reason is the checkout situation at Target. I would just feel downright embarrassed to have the 18-year-old boy who dutifully scans my Sponge Bob toothpaste and Ziplock bags to come across some of these babies. It's almost not fair to the poor kid and not to mention my kids, who are almost always with me when I'm at Target, would be mortified.

And what about that? Having your milk, Excedrin, and Bic pens mingling around in the same basket as your lacy panties. Just seems all sorts of crazy to me. Especially now since my Target is going to start to carry fresh foods, which I'm altogether excited about, but solidifies my other point, and here it is: Do we really have to buy EVERYTHING we need in one place?

Aren't there somethings that deserve to be wrapped in scented tissue paper and handed to you in a little pink bag? I mean, after I took these pictures I priced the same sorts of items around (Note to Husband: that's the story behind my Google search history from today) and found they weren't that much more expensive--when on sale-- at the more traditionally "romantic" places. The kind of places with lower lighting, sales girls with measuring tapes flung around their necks, and classical music playing in the background.

The first time I saw these kind of adult-type things at Target I thought it was just me, but after seeing them with "Marked Down 50%" signs in front of them, I think others might feel the same way.

Another thing that didn't seem to sell this Valentine's Day: Cynicism. Which I think is sort of comforting in a way.

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Oh, but I do love Target. Especially the PJ's, which I have a well-documented addiction to. Check out my post: Taking aim at my Target Spending.

The Olympics and me

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:09:00 GMT

If there is one thing the Olympics has taught me, it's not the obvious, "reach for my dreams" or "I can defy the odds," or not even the words to the song "Simply the Best," it's taught me that I am inexcusably self-involved.

The Olympics aren't about ME. I know that.

They're about athletes achieving the highest level in their sport. They're about countries coming together to participate in an event that has spanned thousands of years. Thousands, I say! Hercules himself would be astounded at the spectacle of athletic mastery of the modern games.

So why do the Olympics just make me think about me?

When I watch the athletes' precision, grace and strength, I think, "Where do I fit in here? Why am I so staggeringly common?" Though I have to admit, the years of unrelenting practice, my aversion to competition, and a need to always be warm and dry immediately exclude me for any real attempt at greatness at the Winter Olympics. Still I wonder, if they had an Olympics for the average achiever, would I shine then?

Now there's a competition that doesn't make me want to fake an ankle sprain! I can picture it now, Bob Costas would interview me and ask me about my superior Kraft Macaroni and Cheese making ability. "You have an innate ability to mix just the right amount of milk and butter, how did you hone that skill?" He'd inquire as the fireplace crackled behind us. "Well Bob," I'd answer after a thoughtful moment of reflection, "You see, I was a latchkey child in the '70s and..."

Another question that haunts me when I watch the Olympics is this: What if the one thing in life I could do perfectly, my genius, was in sticking my landing in a vertical jump, but I never find that out because I haven't ever picked up a pair of skis in my life? The idea that I might have missed my calling pops up in almost every category of competition.

Watching the Olympics can be--if you like to torment yourself in these ways--the ultimate ghost-of-Christmas-past experience. "You should have listened to your seventh-grade P.E. teacher and played even though you had 'killer cramps'," the ghost shakes her head while we watch an old Super 8-scene of me hunched down on the sidelines of the handball court.

What if I have missed my opportunity of grandeur by not committing my life to be an Olympian? You hear the commentators all the time talk about how this or that athlete's body is perfectly proportioned for their sport. So, what is my body perfectly build for? I know it's not J.Crew swimming suits. I know it's not walking all day at Disneyland in flip flops. So what then?

The unanswerable questions just pile one on top of the other while "The Self-Involved" watches the Olympics.

I will say, there are the moments of pure brilliance and glory, when tears fill my eyes as the announcer is able to put into words the magnificence of the moment. When the broadcaster is able to capture the experience in a perfectly placed phrase and I think... "Drat! I shouldn't have dropped out of broadcasting school."

I'm doing it again, aren't I?

*****

Me aside, it has been amazing watching Olympic Hockey.

Jonas Hiller was magnificent last night. Read:

"Hiller Stellar. Canada wins in shoot out." from the OC Register.

Video: The Harlem Globetrotters and Big Easy

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:10:00 GMT

When I was about 10-years-old, my family went to see the Harlem Globetrotters at The Forum in Los Angeles. It was The Meadow Lark Lemon heydays of The Trotters and I remember my folks buying me a poster of him that hung in my room until it was finally replaced by U2, Duran Duran, and Adam Ant posters.

Remember the Globetrotters even had their own cartoon in the '70s? I thought they were hilarious and I remember loving how they played jokes on the audience and those silly Generals.

So, needless to say I was downright excited to take my kids to see them at the Honda Center for the first time this last Saturday. Then on top of that, I got to interview Big Easy, who is sorta like the Lemon of today. He was gracious and friendly...and irresistibly huggable--You'll see.

(Sorry about the sound, this was filmed on my Flip at a distance as the crew from another project I'm working on was filming the same interview.)

Here's my Whrrl about the day as well. Click anywhere on the story below to see it.

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You might remember, The Trotters are one of five males who have my permission to wear tank tops. Check out the full list here. All other men should steer clear of the dreaded tank.

Epic couples I've loved through my lifetime

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:33:00 GMT

For Valentine's Day, some epic couples I've loved through my lifetime...

Starting with Pepe Le Pew and the cat he thinks is a skunk:

Bob Newhart and his wife, Emily

The real/illustrated/real/illustrated...real couple from the

Ah Ha video "Take Me On:"

Lloyd and Diane from the movie "Say Anything:"

Larry and Suzanne:

***

Just a reminder to my husband that I would like one of these for Valentine's Day, and he can skip the flowers, chocolates and other assorted hoopla. A nice card, cozying up to watch a hockey game and a caramel apple are what I'm looking forward to this V-day.

(Photo by moi)

First Flight not Jonas Bros at Honda Center

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:41:00 GMT

Joe Jonas didn't lace up and take the ice today at the Honda Center, but from the way those 15,000 kids screamed for two hours straight, you would have thought he was there with his siblings driving them half-mad. Susan Belknap, OC Family's Editor, and I spent the morning at The Anaheim Ducks First Flight Field Trip for Orange County students.

Check out my Whrrl to find out what it's all about. Maybe your kids have gone or will go when they're around the 4th grade. If they were there today, I have a question for you, "Were they hoarse when you picked them up?" My ears are still ringing...

*** More Ducks stuff from me***

Corey Perry fights robots

How not to act when meeting Ryan Getzlaf

Why I love hockey

My top five romantic comedies

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:52:00 GMT

My top five romantic comedies:

(Click the links to watch scenes from each.)

I guess I consider myself a romantic comedy connoisseur. Maybe even an expert...possibly an aficionado, for sure a snob. More than just casual 'date night' entertainment, I expect a lot from my romantic comedies.

The best test of a good romantic comedy is if the next day you still feel a residual warm, golden, syrupy sweetness in your heart that you can't quite pinpoint. It makes you want to throw your arms around your husband and laugh at his silly ways when he forgets to run the dishwasher, again.

A great one should make you not feel alone in your bedroom watching a movie on Lifetime at 1 a.m but instead that your heartbreak is part of some super corny, yet noble global sorority. A great on should leave you happy, hopeful and quoting memorable lines for years to come.

*****

How much does Dove soap rock?

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:10:00 GMT

Dove soap has been a constant in my life. My family growing up only used Dove; when I went away to college my mom would send it to me and my brother in San Francisco (making everything in the care package smell like it just took a shower) ; when I had my babies we bathed them in the sink using only Dove; and now, it's one of the only things I can buy at Costco with full assurance it will all get used.

Over the years, Dove has become even more of a hero for me with their "Campaign for Real Beauty,"The Dove Self-Esteem Fund," and of course, we've all seen those Dove Evolution commercials that got people talking about perceptions of beauty in advertising.

Oh and their their Pro-Age commercials is awesome, too.

I just watched their new "The Journey to Comfort" commercial for their Dove Men + Care line of products and I loved it too! I don't know if I can talk Larry into using his own line of "beauty products" (must think of better way to position it), but the way Dove has given back to us and championed women's self-esteem issues, makes me want to give it a shot. Plus this is just genius.

Makes you want to go out and HUG the man in your life, doesn't it? (Favorite parts: Go out with your friends, before you know it you'll have three. So funny.)

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Download their free True You! Mother/Daughter Self Esteem Guide here.

The new issue of OC Family features OC Mom Bloggers

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:06:00 GMT

I aspire to be the person my mom thinks I am. I try. When I see myself through my mom's eyes I look a little more successful, a little braver, and I'm definitely a better cook. She is my biggest cheerleader. I couldn't wait to show her the new cover of OC Family. I knew she and my dad were going to make a big deal about it and I'll admit it, I really wanted them to; still loving the approving vibe of my parents, even at 42-years-old. It makes me happy.

There's my mom. In the middle of Soup Plantation smiling with the cover. My dad had to approve the photo and I took about 5 until it showed her "beautiful eyes." He finally okayed this one.

I'd like to thank OC Family and Churm Media for believing not only in me, but in all of the bloggers here on the OC Family Web site. Your support and trust in us will serve to feed the creative fires and empower moms all over Orange County.

I'm enormously proud of the story OC Family ran about mom bloggers. Pick one up (or read it here), it features some of my favorite OC bloggers: Marcy, Aracely, Tina, Debbie, Beckey, and Kara-Noel. Check out the photo of Marcy on the first page. I begged her to let me take it, "Someday you're going to need some photos of yourself," I told her. She rolled her eyes and plopped herself down. I love it because it is so "her" and it was taken in one of our favorite places: Old Towne Orange. You should make a mental note now, if you ever go to lunch with me: Primp. I'm bringing my camera.

Check out my Whrrl from the day of the photo shoot. Tracie Spence, the photographer , is adorable, friendly, and just brilliant. You can check out her other photos on her website here.

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You can start your own blog, upload photos and videos and connect with other moms right here at OC Family. Click here for our OC Moms Network.

Anastasia Cafe in Laguna Beach

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:21:00 GMT

I spent this soggy morning with two friends having a very belated--my birthday is in December--birthday breakfast. My friend Eve took Jill and I out to Anastasia Cafe in Laguna Beach. I love venturing out in inclement weather, only the bravest and most hungry people were out and about in Laguna.

Check out my Whrrl story about our day...

Anyone else have any favorite rainy day spots in OC. Looks like we might be needing some ideas. Macry and Aracely both took us to Disneyland on a rainy day, maybe I'll try that this week.

Tweet-up at The Honda Center

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:05:00 GMT

There is almost nothing that gives me more joy than to introduce new folks to Ducks Hockey.

(Adam, Brad and Me at the game.)

***

On Wednesday night a group of about 20-25 Ducks fans met John T. Meyer from "Pick my NHL Team" at The Honda Center for the Ducks game against the Red Wings. His contest asked NHL Fans to vote on his site and the team with the most votes became his new favorite team. The Ducks, naturally, snatched the win and so John flew out here from...somewhere very cold, had his first In-n-Out Burger, and then attended a Tweet-up at the game to celebrate his new found Ducks' fanship and to cheer on the team we all love.

Blogger Adam Rogers, who's not new to hockey, he's Canadian, but new to the Ducks, came with hockey newbie Brad Lawson (Husband of blogger Kara-Noel) and we all sat together as I "helped" Brad better understand the game by throwing out random facts, player bios and NHL rules all night. Blogger McKay, another newbie, came along after Larry wasn't able to use his ticket due to his last minute trip to Washington D.C. You 'betcha I "helped" her understand the game a little better too.

(Some of the Ducks fans attending the Tweet-up. Go to my Ducks hockey list on Twitter to follow them.)

Of course I Twittered throughout the game and Larry was Twittering too from our nation's capital. My friend and fellow blogger, Debbie, sent me this screen shot of my Tweet, grousing about the beer line on level 400, followed by Larry's slightly more important and mature Tweet.

Hey, the line was long, okay? What can I say? We make it work.

(Saku Koivu warming up for the game.)

******

More Honda Center news: The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to town next weekend, Feb. 13th for two shows. I'm going to the 7:00 and I'm excited about going backstage to interview "The Big Easy." He's promised to show me how to balance the ball on top of my finger; which has been a life-long dream ever since I saw The Trotters at The Forum when I was 10-years-old. Really.

Here's more info on the show and links to buying tickets.

Really? String bikini panties for little girls? Really?

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

I was at the Mecca of all stores, as far as my eight-year-old daughter is concerned, Justice, and I came across these little numbers: String bikini panties starting at size 4/5.

Sorry for the quality of photo, but as soon as I saw them I pulled out my iPhone and started covertly taking photos to show you. My daughter was very, very pleased. (Ahem. Not.) Does this feel wrong to you? Creepy even? I'm not referring to the day-glo, splatter paint, '80 throwback part of the panties, which is indeed creepy, I mean the idea of a little girl in "adult style" panties.

I know that no one is going to see them but me and her, but still, aren't some things just inherently wrong? Just the idea of them? Can't little girls just be little girls? I want my 4-10 year old to be wearing Hello Kitty underwear (Heck, I want to wear Hello Kitty underwear) or Barbie, or even...**grimace** Hannah Montana, but not string bikinis.

I guess the bottom line for me here is; I'm in no hurry to have my daughter grow up. She isn't getting her ears pierced until she's 12-years old, no make up until high school and I don't let her watch some of the same movies as her friends. Not that I think the parents who let their daughters do these things are bad or even doing their daughters a disservice, I'm just in no hurry....and I'm the mom. I guess it all comes down to that, if it feels wrong to me (oh, and her dad would flip) then that's a good enough reason for me.

*****

I think on the scale of modesty and sexual attitude I fall right in the middle. Elizabeth Esther wrote this great post--Why I've banned the Victoria's Secret Catalog from my house--and I've thought about it for a long time, because I do allow it in my house and I purchase items from it regularly.

I don't read it to my son at bedtime or anything, but I think it's appropriate for adults and it doesn't bother me or make me feel bad about myself. I think it lacks the raunchiness and intention of "soft porn" but I see her point about the "pornographic tide that seeks to hurt my children," I just don't think the VS Catalog falls under that category. What are your thoughts on Elizabeth's piece? I think this is all fascinating and good stuff for women to talk about. I think it's important.

Getting schooled by homework

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:25:00 GMT

I always hear how hard homework gets for kids (READ: parents) as they get older. As adding and subtracting give way to calculus and other more arduous academics that I won't even pretend to understand, I'm a little fearful that I won't be able to help my kids with their studies.

Take this as an example, I'm getting my son's homework back with corrections on the things that I helped him -- he's in kindergarten!

Take a look at the example on the right.

Okay, yes, that's obviously a "glass" not a "cup," my mistake. But that's an otter on the bottom right? ...not a gopher as I told my son, but an otter. Now, to me, an otter has a bigger tail, like in the cartoons when a otter pounds down things with his enormous, round tennis racket- sized tail--unfortunately, this is another problem, most of my knowledge of animal life comes from cartoons.

My fear is the gap of what I know and what they need to know is going to grow and grow and pretty soon, I'm just going to have to start to make things up...or send them to a tutor. (Yes, sending them to a tutor sounds more logical.) I absolutely LOVE my son's teacher and we had a very good laugh about this, but it spotlights a underlying issue for me: What if I can't help my kids the way I want and need to?

I wonder if some parents have to hit the books themselves as their kids get into the higher grades. Where is the line between helping your kids with their homework and actually doing their homework drawn? Any words of advice from parents with older kids? Can a child be successful in school if their parents don't understand what it is they are studying? Anyone else think that is clearly a gopher?

*****

Read my story about "helping" my daughter decide on what character she should be for her school project:

Be like me. Wait, no don't be like me!