May 14, 2012 Planning a birthday party for a toddler is pretty easy to do. Choose a theme, send out tine invites, buy some snacks, and let them play. But what do you do though when your tween wants to have a party, and understandably does not want a kid party? Start out by talking to your…
August 15, 2018 It’s already that time of year again! Presumably, if your child is going away to college, the preparations are already well underway. It can be an overwhelming and emotional time for the whole family but it can also be a great opportunity for transitions and growth. You’ve probably got everything under control…
February 5, 2018 The Olympics are almost here, which at our house means a party with all sorts of thematic fun. Every two years, our family takes advantage of the pomp and circumstance that invites the whole world to pay attention. The Olympics are a great opportunity to learn about other countries, support your country,…
July 5, 2017 Half way through summer vacation, time starts to drag. I’m all out of ideas for how to keep the kids busy, and they start bouncing off the walls. I decided to ask some of the moms I know for their summer ideas, so I can freshen up my family’s routine. Here are…
March 25, 2013 Are your teens on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram? If they are, there’s a good chance that it’s caused them stress or anxiety. For something meant to connect us with others, social media seems to have the exact opposite effect on teens. According to mental health consultant Stefanie Weiss it can even make…
February 25, 2013 We’ve all heard the saying ‘You are what you eat’ and it’s natural for parents to encourage their kids to eat healthy. But what about ‘You are what you watch?’ Should parents encourage their kids to watch positive TV programs that don’t include any violence or sarcastic comments? Does what they watch…
January 30, 2013 Teenage drinking. It’s a subject many parents of teens don’t like to think about – or even discuss with their kids. Some parents assume that if they don’t have a drinking problem, and don’t have any alcohol in their home, their kids will be fine. But, according to a recent study, teenage…
April 16, 2012 April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize that we can each play a part in promoting the social and emotional well-being of our children and the kids in our communities. Click to Tweet this article to your followers. Child maltreatment includes all types of abuse and neglect of…
May 23, 2012 Make some amazing memories this summer by exploring new places and spending quality learning and sharing time with your family. And guess what? You don’t have to break the bank to do it. Here are great summer fun ideas for your family, that won’t cost a fortune: Library There are many great,…
April 26, 2012 As parents, we have all been there. We’ve reminded our child, for what seems like hundreds of times, to remove their elbows from the dinner table. We’ve felt embarrassment creep up our face while watching our child throwing a temper tantrum at the front of a crowded grocery store. We’ve felt the evil…
April 6, 2012 Spring sports season is upon us, and that means soccer, basketball, and an array of other sports activities. It also means bumps, bruises, and bandages. It’s okay to let your child play their favorite sport, but proceed with caution. Yes, your child will probably get hurt, but you can help minimize their…
March 14, 2012 Is it ok for your child to say “No” to an adult or parent? As moms concerned about raising polite children, the gut reaction is, “No, it’s not.” But that may not always be the case. In an interview with Oprah, Elizabeth Smart’s Dad made a statement about how we teach our children…
February 20, 2012 Parenting Country by Country? How about Just Doing What’s Right for Children? With Pamela Druckerman’s new book Bringing Up Bébé extolling Gallic parenting, parents can now choose between parenting the French way or the so-called Chinese way presented last year by Amy Chua’s sensational Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Druckerman wants…
March 12, 2012 It’s blatantly horrifying. Seven-year-old Brittney Baxter was standing in the toy aisle of Wal*mart when she was scooped up by (allegedly) Thomas Woods, who covered her mouth and attempted to take her. While we can wage a debate as to whether she should have been alone in the toy aisle of Wal*mart…
February 13, 2012 When I was a little girl, before I knew that God’s response to those who planned out their lives in detail was laughter, I decided that I was going to go to college, travel around the world, become a Broadway actress, write a bestselling novel, then marry a gorgeous, wonderful man, whereupon…
October 15, 2019 Any month is a great idea to practice random acts of kindness. This month consider doing some of the following. You’ll help others and feel better about yourself in the process. Do you have an elderly neighbor? Consider raking and tidying up their yard as the leaves finally fall from the trees….
February 21, 2012 Are you a busy mom? I don’t know many moms who aren’t – but being busy can be stressful. Ease up on your stress with these time-saving tips: Be Organized You know that old phrase, “A place for everything and everything in it’s place”? Well, I am a big believer in that….
January 19, 2012 Winston Churchill once said, “The price of greatness is responsibility.” The benefits of responsible behavior will help your child throughout her life. From good grades to successful romantic relationships, responsibility can positively impact virtually every area of your child’s life. So what’s a parent to do with an irresponsible child? There are…
December 9, 2011 The holiday season is by far my favorite time of the year. It’s not just the excitement of taking a bite into holiday meals, decorating the perfect tree, or sipping that first cup of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows that bring me pure joy; It’s finding new ways to teach my kids…
January 16, 2012 Every parent wants their children to grow up into healthy, well adjusted, functioning adults. This is not a result that can be left to chance. There are many ways you can help your children to develop life skills through family interaction that will help them in school and when they leave home….
February 24, 2012 It all started three years ago when I got “the call” from my neighbor. “My daughter has lice,” she said, “you should check your kids.” When my son returned from an afternoon at his friend’s house I accosted him the moment he walked through the door. I parted his hair and saw…
November 20, 2011 Congratulations to Miss O Moms: the SocialMoms Blog of the Week! I really like that this site started off as a tween website and then spun off into mom territory. Usually it’s the other way around. And as a mom of a tween myself, I find myself definitely interested in what Hermine…
January 10, 2012 Tending to life, work, a blog, kids, etc. can unravel into the inability to ever get caught up. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or you work full time it seems we are never caught up. Before you are in need of an intervention, reinvent the wheel. Managing our family time may…
November 30, 2011 You looked forward to your baby’s first holiday season. It was to be a magical time of picture perfect festivities. However, your little bundle of joy is wailing and clings to you with a steel grip when anyone tries to hold him. How will you survive a holiday gathering without a happy…
January 23, 2012 There is a theory that it is harder to potty train boys than girls. But as a mom of two boys and my closest friends having boys, I can say that our boys were potty trained by the time they were two. In other words, six boys were potty trained between the…
November 17, 2011 Raising kids is hard work. And the only thing harder then raising kids, I think, is being a kid. Our children are bombarded with messages from the media, and their peers, about what they are supposed to like, how they are supposed to dress and what opinions they should have. It is…
June 5, 2021 Life is short—yet many of us spend time wondering what we should do with our lives, rather than actually going out there and trying. As hockey legend Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” It’s important to actually strike out and follow your heart—even if…
April 14, 2014 Spring is here, and with it Mother’s Day and Father’s Day! What better way to celebrate parents (and grandparents) than to give the gift of reading? Especially when it’s tied to a book about Grandma or Grandpa! Random House Kids has two fabulous picture books about grandparents: The New York Times bestselling How…
May 20, 2013 At the end of January, I covered 7 communication secrets for parents of teens and received some great feedback from our Social Moms readers. I was talking with a friend yesterday and she asked for similar advice, but this time she needed tips for talking to her elementary-aged child. It’s definitely important to start…