What made them so cool and exciting (and different from say, a stuffed animal), was that you were getting feedback from the “pet,” and could respond accordingly. However, my friend said that she didn’t like the thought of virtual pets because she didn’t think they taught kids the right things about pet care and responsibility, that because there were no real consequences kids wouldn’t give a second thought to tossing the toy, and eventually a real pet, away when they were tired with it.

With this Christmas’s toy of choice being something similar – a furry, mechanical hamster that can run through tubes (am I the only one tired of hearing about Zhu Zhu Pets?) – I remembered my friend’s take on the toys, and it’s got me thinking about it again.

As a parent now, I can see her point, but I’ve also seen first hand that my kids do know the difference between their real pets that require feeding, grooming and care, as opposed to the virtual pet toys they’ve had (including the aforementioned Tamagotchi).

What do you think? Do you think these virtual toy pets make it too easy for kids to think real pets are just as disposable?

[image: amazon]

Post from: Blisstree

Do Virtual Pets Breed Irresponsibility?

Tonight I decided to introduce my children to a new meal, I’ve come across a few tips for you:

IMG: Elizabeth Ferree

Tips to Introducing New Foods:

1.  Make sure it isn’t too spicy. Tonight I made chili with actual fresh chilis in it, apparently it made it a bit too spicy for my kids. They could not eat it.

2.  Be prepared. Be prepared that your kids may not take to the new meal. You may want to have a side dish or a second meal just in case this one isn’t approved by your kids.

3.  Leave Your feelings at the door. When it comes to kids they will be completely honest with you. If your kids don’t like the way it tastes they will either make a face, try to hide the food or simply tell you. Oh and if it looks nasty or like something that came from a dog they will let you know.

Post from: Blisstree

Introducing New Foods to Your Kids

Image: sxc.hu

Here are five for September:

Obama – Education or Mind Control of Youth?

One-Room Schools – An American Heritage

Kids’ Exotic Hair Colors

4-H Club Memories

Are You a Pinocchio Parent?

Did you have any favorites that I didn’t mention here?  I’m now working on my October posts.  Are there topics you’d like to hear about?

Post from: Blisstree

September Parenting Round-up

For me, chips have always been the default go-to for sandwiches or lunch in general, but as the new school year approaches I’ve been trying to re-think and re-plan what goes into my kids’ lunch boxes. Sure, they’ll still get a small bag of chips now and then, but I’m going substitute one of the below ideas several times a week as well!

~ Fresh fruit and vegetables. This one always seems to be at the top of the list for chip replacements, and for good reason. Fresh fruit and vegetables not only offer “healthier” calories, but they contain virtually no fat or processed sugars. This means they can load up on them at lunch time and still get the energy benefit for hours afterward. Veggies like carrot sticks, celery sticks, radishes, even broccoli and cauliflower are perfectly portable. Fruits like apples (if you cut them up, sprinkle with lemon juice to keep from browning), strawberries, bananas and grapes travel well too.

~ Pretzels and crackers. Baked carb snacks can help your child feel full, and since they’re not fried they don’t add a lot of unnecessary calories either.

~ Tortilla chips and salsa. Tortilla chips are also baked and have the satisfying crunch and light saltiness of regular fried potato chips. The salsa offers vegetables as well, and homemade salsa is even better!

~ Cheesesticks or yogurt. Unless your child gets some change to buy a carton of milk in the lunchroom, chances are they aren’t going to be getting any dairy in their lunch box (I’ve never been able to get a Thermos to keep milk above lukewarm!). Cheese sticks or a small reusable container filled with yogurt can fill the void, and fresh fruit in the yogurt can even act as a nutritious dessert, too.

What are your favorite non-chips foods to put in lunchboxes?

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Healthy Alternatives to Lunchbox Chips

We usually end up alternating between peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and bologna and cheese sandwiches. Though the kids like them and I know they’re better for them the pre-packaged processed stuff the schools serve now (when did that start?), I do like to shake things up now and then and throw in something they’re not expecting.

One of my favorite ways to surprise them is to add a layer of Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread to one side of a sandwich before slathering on the peanut butter and jelly. They don’t even know it’s there until they take a bite, and I always get grateful hugs when they get home from school!

It’s also fun to switch what I make the sandwich on. Bagel sandwiches are always a hit (especially with cream cheese in place of mayo), and even hamburger buns are a fun substitution for basic sandwiches. Tortilla wraps are also easy to use in place of bread.

I haven’t buckled just yet and gotten a sandwich cutter, though. There are cute ones available, but I figure I’ll only get another year or so out of them before all my girls decide they’re too old for it, so for now I use cute cookie cutters. They’re already on hand and I know they’re sturdy enough for cookie dough when making cute sandwiches loses its novelty! I do like the ones that waste as little of the sandwich as possible. For those that do cut off more sandwich than I’d like, I cut the bread with the cutters first and use the leftovers for breadcrumbs, and then just pile on or spread the sandwich fixings on the cut bread.

What small things do you do to kick up your kids’ lunches?

[image: sxc]

Post from: Blisstree

Spiffing Up the Lunchbox Sandwich

I don’t like hearing, “shut up,” either. It’s rude and abrupt. There’s got to be a better way to halt the flow of words, but so far I’ve found that “enough” and “shut it” aren’t very good alternatives.

Sarah was angry and wanted a chance to “vent” to someone. That’s when she heard the “shut up.”  I’m pretty sure I was the subject of the vent, as I’d just kicked the girls outside and told Sarah to get some exercise. I thought it was very grown up of her to use the word, “vent.” She wants a friend that she “can talk to about anything.”  I tried to explain to her that there’s no such friend in existence.

I have a few close friends, a boyfriend, a sister, and a mom that I talk to about things. They are all wonderful listeners, but I cannot talk to any of them about everything. It’s not a matter of trust – I trust them. It’s more a matter of boundaries and respecting their time and attention. The truth is that nobody wants to hear all your stuff. They’ve got their own stuff and we are all just trying to get by.

I told Sarah that what she needs is a journal. She can write anything and everything in the journal and Bay and I will respect her privacy – we will not read the journal. She can unload, vent, talk about everything until she’s feeling calm again.  Everyone needs a safe place to let off some steam.

*Update* I found her a  journal. It has a pretty cover and a band that keeps it closed. She asked if she’s allowed to write anything in there, “even bad words?” I assured her that it is her book and nobody else will read it.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Blisstree

You Can’t Tell Anyone Everything

I found the video above and immediately bookmarked it to share here. Using things you’ve already got in your kitchen — food coloring, milk and dish soap — you can create a really cool little “color dance.” Here’s another fun example. I feel cheated — my experience with this only involved pepper and water!

I found several other videos demonstrating fun things to do with food, including one of my favorites: cornstarch goo (oh my goodness, that kid’s a doll!). There’s also a dancing egg using a shot glass and an egg, you can make instant ice, and for older kids, try a lemon battery.

What are your favorite food science experiments?

Post from: Blisstree

Fun Food Experiments for Kids

I kept trying to remind them, “It’s really just about the two of you spending time together,” but they didn’t buy that idea at all. They’d nod and act like they were listening, but I could see that the wheels were spinning and Bay was still thinking, okay, how can I afford to get a french manicure on my toes in addition to tanning, acrylic nails, and an updo…….

At one point, they called me from the restaurant (Tres Hombres) to say that Greg had forgotten the tickets (also something they forgot – corsage and buttonaire). I drove the tickets down and met them at Chuckie Cheese. I loved the idea that they stopped by Chuckie Cheese in their finery. I can’t remember how many birthday parties I attending in that (overwhelming) venue. I imagine the visit was bittersweet with that combination not-kid/not-yet-adult feeling.

They came home yesterday and slept all day long, finally making it out to the living room in the evening. Lots of fun and now everything is back to normal again. Which means they are either laughing or bickering.

Young love.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Blisstree

Prom Night

One estimate says that “as many as five to 10 children die each year due to liver damage caused by propylthiouracil.” Unlike other medicines, the damage is also not reversible once the child is taken off the drug.

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

Dangerous Drug for Kids & Thyroid Disease

Greg lives with us, because his mother packed him up and turned him out about 3 months ago. He is a great kid, although I’m pretty sure that since he’s only been here a few months, we are still getting the very best of him. Bailey and Greg have progressed from dating teenagers to a sort of hybrid committed relationship, but it’s also almost brother and sister relationship. For example, Greg sometimes tattles on Bay. This drives her crazy.

Last night, we were sitting around the living room and all of my kids were working on homework. I was telling Bay about something that she did when she was younger and she started to cry. I was horrified, because I expected her to laugh. Greg leaned forward and starting talking to her very softly. He got up and left the room. When he came back, he had a tissue in his hand. He sat next to her, leaned forward and gently wiped under her eyes. She smiled at him, laid her palm along his cheek, and kissed him. I’m pretty sure that my mouth dropped open in shock and awe.

It was like something out of a romantic movie. I felt both thrilled and embarrassed to witness it. Thrilled because I love the kids and I want them to feel cherished. Embarrassed because it was such an intimate moment – like they were the only two people in the room, in the universe.

Both of these kids have had their share of heartache, most of it at the hands of two really crappy dads, but it hasn’t scarred them to the point where they are afraid to allow themselves to be vulnerable.

When it comes to love, sometimes you’ve got to put yourself out there, take a chance and put the rules to the side. It reminded me of something that happened between my last boyfriend and I. Bailey did this spot-on imitation of my sister, Robin. It was so like Robin, that I started to cry because I missed her (yeah, we sometimes have the tears around here). My boyfriend was horrified and although he didn’t wipe my tears, he did scoop me up with a sweet, “Oh, baby, it’s okay…” that I still remember.

I’ve got to be open to letting something like that in my life again. If those two kids can do it, if they can be that brave and that open with each other, then I need to allow it to happen for me, too. It will be hard, but I have to believe that it’s do-able. And dear friend, whom I’m 99% sure is reading this – it will happen for you, as well.

Image credit: Bailey Smith

Post from: Blisstree

Before the Kiss