Acne can be a real challenge for teens. My daughter, Bailey, is a beautiful girl, but she’s been experiencing some problems with break-outs and scarring for the past 2 years. There were days when she wanted to hide her face. If you are a parent of a teen, then you know how painful it can be to watch your child suffer with self-confidence issues.

I decided that I would do whatever was needed in order to help my daughter feel confident about her skin again. We tried a wide variety of products and for awhile some of them would work.  She’d get a little clearer, but inevitably, the blemishes would come back.

Some of the brands we tried include Noxzema, Stridex, Clear Skin, Acne Free, and Proactiv. Many of these products were very drying which led to a whole new set of challenges. Redness. Rough spots.  She’d end up with flaky patches that were impossible to cover with makeup.

Bailey Before

We talked to a dermatologist in the Spring and he mentioned taking both an oral and topical approach. It sounded good, but very pricey. In the meantime, he gave her steroid shots in the pimples that she did have. The blemishes disappeared by the next day, but I was uncomfortable with the treatment. Plus it’s not always convenient to get to doctor right away.

When I was approached about giving SkiniD from Neutrogena a try, I wasn’t sure if it would be any different than the other treatments, but Bailey was willing to give it a chance. We decided to put off the expensive prescription for awhile.

SkiniD works a little differently than other programs. It’s a 3-step program that is tailored to the individual’s needs. Bailey filled out a series of questions that asked about skin type,  the frequency and type of breakouts she suffered, the area of her face most affected. It was very detailed. She was determined to require a #14 Cream Cleanser, a #32 Anti-Acne Treatment, and a #72 Hydrator. Her products arrived in a couple of days, complete with a cute carrying case, which makes it easy for her to cart the regime with her to sleepovers and on vacation. (Plus it keeps the bathroom counter from growing too cluttered).

It wasn’t very long before I noticed a big difference in Bailey’s skin. It was clearer. She had fewer pimples, a smoother texture, and the scars were fading. She was very excited. It is such a relief to find a product line that actually works. My daughter is feeling pretty again and she’s wearing a lot less makeup - she doesn’t need to hide under it anymore.

Bailey After skiniD

I’ve told anyone and everyone I know about the SkiniD program. I think that the program is so successful because it’s not a one-size-fits-all skincare line. It addresses an individuals specific challenges. Through my work for Splendicity, I have the opportunity to try a lot of different skincare lines. I would absolutely recommend skiniD to anyone.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

This post was sponsored by Neutrogena skinID™ – The only Personalized Acne Solution made just for you. Guaranteed Results or your money back.

Every year hundreds die due to swimming, in 2005 there were over 3000 deaths all due to drowning.  For every 1 out of 4

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were children 14 or under, this is too many for us. With a few rules maybe we can prevent a death from happening.  The biggest killer is lack of supervision or not having a proper cover. Here are a few pool safety rules that you should have:

Pool Safety:

No Running- Many times a child runs on the deck of a pool or the sidewalk before jumping in, sometimes the deck is wet causing them to slip and fall.

Always Have Someone Watching- If you are allowing your young child outside, make sure someone is outside to watch. A child can easily slip or be unable to come up due to them getting in water that’s too deep and drown. With someone nearby watching this can be prevented. Do not have two children under 5 watching each other.

Wear floats- For the children that don’t know how to swim they should wear floating devices. Make sure they actually fit and to follow the rules in making sure they are on correctly. Don’t forget to check to make there haven’t been any recalls on them.

Pool cover-  If you have a pool you should have a pool cover as well. Yes pool covers can get expensive but they will save a child’s life as well. More children die when they venture to a pool that has no cover when you aren’t home.

Build a Fence- If you can, (I know not all places are able to do this) build a fence around the pool to prevent a child from escaping out the back door and jumping into the pool. This way they have to wait for an adult to allow them to get into it, or at least take some time for an adult to stop them.

Don’t Swim Right After Eating-  I know some will argue this but if you go swimming right after eating a big meal you can easily get a cramp. If you are in deep water this can be a bad idea as you may not be able to swim to the lower level.

Do you have any pool safety tips that aren’t listed?

Truman starts big school – Kindergarten – this fall. Actually, that’s not entirely true. He starts August 10th, which is still technically summer. In fact, it’s more than a month from fall, which doesn’t come official until the autumnal equinox, which falls on September 22nd this year. At 5:18 p.m. EDT, to be exact.

He's got the whole world in his hands.

Of course, that applies only to those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere. Those in the Southern Hemisphere celebrated their autumnal equinox on March 20th. And, I understand, Australia and New Zealand got the earliest start, celebrating the first day of fall on March 1.

I’m trying to explain this to Truman, for some reason. He has a good understanding of the globe and where all the continents and countries are located, but explaining that season-difference-among-the-hemispheres thing is a little confusing. (Is it true that toilets swirl the other way down there?) No worries, though. It’ll just give his teachers more to teach him when he starts school this fall. I mean, this summer. In August.

Photo, JWJourney

Saving summer memories, organizing collections, or simply finding something to entertain the youngsters (that’s not electronic) if you have a rainy day often puzzles parents.

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Why not try some clipboard art, or making altered clipboards, as some call it.  I’ve described the project in one of my Arts and Crafts posts, Clipboard Altered Art & Wall Hangings.

Youngsters often collect shells, sea glass, and stones when at the beach.  Unique stones attract their attention even at a lake beach.  You might find other objects you can combine on a clipboard for a piece of art you can hang in their room, instead of having it lying around on a table, dresser or shelf.

(Follow the directions in my post for creating one of these.  Combine  many of the items suggested, as well. I’d also enjoy hearing from you and knowing what you make using these suggestions.)

Truman said, “you know what happened the other day? I was in the playground with the school-agers and Brooke tagged me and I said, ‘I’m not playing tag,’ and another school-ager said, ‘He said he “ant” playing tag.’ Mommy, did you know ‘ant’ is a word?’”

I said, “It’s ain’t. And it’s not a word. I don’t like that word.” He said, “I do.” I said, “No, you don’t. It’s not a real word.”

Herein lies the problem. I used to work for a company that hired, shortly after I left, for the highest state office the next-in-command, a very acceptable candidate for the job. She is a very professionally dressed, well-coifed woman. She is smart and remarkable, but the management had issues. Her Southern accent played more toward the “country” side and she made liberal use of the word “ain’t.”

I suppose it grew on me enough to accept it as being a part of her, like her precision bob-cut or the way her Southern slur left a mark on the carpet like a slug slowly dragging toward the door. She was powerful and soft in the same sentence, so I accepted the “ain’ts” like they were part of her DNA. And maybe they were. As charming as she was – or is – I didn’t want my son to adopt such language, and so I halted it, then and there.

Still, I have to think it is charming to know that my son’s first encounter with the word “ain’t” was at the age of 5 ½. Considering where I live, that’s pretty freaking amazing.

Photo, JWJourney

Summer is here and everyone is spending tons of money to do those fun activities with their families, this includes expensive nights out. For some the expensive night out may just be a night

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at the movies, others may head out to the carnival/fair/circus/etc. These type of events no matter which one it is can add up to a very costly night of entertainment. So how do you avoid spending all that dough?

Some things we like to do are:

- Go out and eat first. This can be done at a local restaurant that the event will take place, we prefer to do all you can eats right before events because we are sure to fill the kids up for the most part. I’ve learned that if they eat right before they will take a little longer to cry “I’m hungry.” I’m sure ya’ll have been down that road. Now imagine not doing it and now your kids are eyeballing that $5 hot dog. If you have more than one kid that can get really expensive for a plain hot dog with ketchup only.

- Bring snacks. Now some places won’t care but some do, make sure you know the rules before you bring stuff in. If you are allowed a large purse or diaper bag can do the trick on holding the items.

- Bring water. I’ve learned that handing the kids water will do two things, prevent the words, “I’m thirsty” and bring on the bathroom trips. Yes, its one of those you can avoid one but not the other.

IMG: The Life of a Home Mom

- Determine How much you’ll spend. Before even going out, figuring out how much it’ll cost for things and just how much you are willing to spend. Leave the rest of the money at home. It is a proven fact that if you don’t set a certain amount you’ll spend more than you wanted to spend.

- Set the Rules. Before entering said establishment/event make sure to discuss with your kids all the rules. You don’t want to leave anything out and make sure they know that if they object they don’t have to go. This is a fun event that they’ll love and there can be more if they are well-behaved, this normally does the trick.

How are some ways you prepare your kids for an expensive night out?

I know I normally do the funny things kids say but for today I have a funny thing my child did. Now I’ve heard of children being picky on certain types of food because of color and taste but never over a word. Do you have a child that is picky and refuses to eat something? What is it?

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Today we had peas for dinner, my 2-year-old has always ate these until now. When I pushed it to him and asked him to eat his peas he pushed the bowl at me. “No.” I was shocked. “Eat your peas.” This time he looked disgusted and said, “No pee.” That was clear as day, he thought I was making him eat pee. Well of course I couldn’t force it after that.

Got a funny story to tell? email it to homemom3@gmail.com

Below is Paris Michael Jackson’s tearful speech at her Dad Michael Jackson’s public memorial where most of the people watching were moved with her speech.

I must admit, I was moved by her short and tearful speech as well. Paris said:

“I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. I just wanted to say I love him so much.”

I’m in my 30’s and I can’t imagine losing my parents. I feel for the 11-year old Paris who just lost the most important person in her life. My heartfelt sympathy goes to the Jackson family especially to Michael’s children where even their future is hanging in the balance not knowing who will eventually look after them.

To you Paris, Prince and Blanket, I dedicate this poem:

I NEVER SAID GOODBYE

I never said goodbye to you,
it made no sense to me.
I only say goodbye,
to those I’ll never see.
One day I’ll hold your hand again;
in my heart I do believe,
that death is not the end of life;
it’s just a short reprieve.

I never said goodbye to you,
instead I said “I love you”.
As you departed on your journey
to a place where life is new.
I held your hand and kissed you.
Your leaving made me cry.
But in the end,
I know I’ll see you again…
So I never said goodbye.

Poem by Tandra Michelle Hefley, USA

Our neighbors Lou and Pat are having their kitchen ripped out today to make way for fabulous granite countertops and a slate backsplash that I know I will covet, even though I know I’m not supposed to covet my neighbor’s stuff. Pat is always cooking and always sharing her food. (No wonder Truman begs to go next door almost every single day.)

So we decided to return the favor and invite them over to dinner tonight. I’m going to make Donald Link’s Old School Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya because it is just that good and because I think I can make it without screwing it up too badly.

My sister must have known I would be entertaining tonight because she sent me this Joel Stein piece in Time magazine about eating afterbirth. And to think I let the doctor toss away my placenta. Sigh.

Photo, JWJourney

Do you find yourself unable to accomplish as much as you wish simply because you’re not organized?   Do you spend valuable time looking for things simply because you don’t have a specific place to put them?  Are your youngsters as disorganized as you?

The organized ideal. Image: sxc.hu

I’d often heard about spending 20 minutes per day to get yourself on an organized track because you don’t have several days to spare doing it.   However, when I’ve tried it, I didn’t keep at it after a few days.  Thus, my family didn’t either.

Recently I realized it’s because I didn’t see much or any results.  A friend mentioned that’s why she quit, too.  However, this time I’m determined to stick to it.  After two weeks, perhaps no one else would see results, but I know there’s a difference…and even my husband said it’s looking better around our rooms.  (In our multigenerational household, we have three rooms that are mainly ours, but it’s amazing the amount of stuff that can accumulate there.  )

What organizational tips do you have?  What works for you?  Do you get your youngsters involved, too?