Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Children go through stages but what do you do when that stage means they don't need mom as much?
As moms we know all to well that children go through stages. Not every child goes through every stage but, reality is, they all have ups and downs. There are babies who can’t bear to give up binkies and bottles, toddlers who want nothing to do with anyone but their mom, kids that cry every day as they leave for kindergarten and an endless variety of daily crisis that only a mom can fix. No two kids are the same, no two stages are the same and no two moms handle things the same way. Somehow we all survive and, as if by miracle, seem no worse for wear in the long run. Yes, it’s a dark little secret and no one likes so say it out loud but sometimes, even the best moms, feel a bit smothered by our kids. We love our kids and we would do …
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The performance in the Spelling Bee by a six-year-old contestant was impressive, and also brought up the questions of competitiveness among youngsters.
The mom world was buzzing again this week as we watched six-year-old Lori Anne Madison, the youngest child ever to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, lose her chance at a title. We cried as we watched the endless video replays of little blond haired Lori Anne use an extra “e” instead of an “i” as she tried to spell her word, “ingluvies.” We worried about her emotional well being and wondered if it was even fair to allow such a young child to compete as such a high level. Honestly, I’m not exactly how I feel about National Spelling Bee competitions for a child as young a six but I do know that we, as moms, seemed a whole lot more concerned about the whole situation than little Lori Anne did. As a matter of fact, Lori Anne seemed…
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
While BBQs and baseball are fun, it's important to remember why days like Monday are so important.
Yesterday we celebrated Memorial Day, the unofficial start to the New England summer. We often associate Memorial Day with the weekend the pool gets opened, the first trip to the beach for the summer, a chance to cookout with family and friends, the green light to resume wearing white for the summer and, of course, three days without school or work. For my family it was a weekend filled with a Little League tournament and a trip to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox. What struck me this weekend, however, is that many of us have also forgotten the real reason we celebrate Memorial Day. Sure, the parades and the cookouts are fun, but shouldn’t we take a little time to remind our kids what the holiday is really all about? Originally named “…
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Geese don't read mom columns, but they still know what's best for their young, teaching moms a valuable lesson.
Motherhood is a funny thing. You can study the books, read the articles, think you are preparing yourself but, until that first moment when see your baby, you have no idea what being a mom really is all about. What is it that turns an ordinary woman into a mom? Is it experience? Is it training? Is it pure instinct? Is it, perhaps, a combination of all those things? Experts around the world offer advice and theories but, reality is, motherhood was around long before expert advice was and, amazingly, it all seemed to work out. The other day I was at the gym, busily enjoying my workout when I saw the cutest family of Canadian Geese making their way across the parking lot. Two adults and four yellow fuzz balls out for their morning stroll in …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
'Being mom enough' is the topic of recent magazine article, but it's up to individual moms to decide what exactly that means.
This week, across the United States, another virtual firestorm erupted in the mom world when Time Magazine released its latest cover. The cover photo featuring a mother standing up and breastfeeding a three year old child who is perched atop a stepstool has, without a doubt, turned more than a few heads. In addition, the caption, “Are you Mom Enough?” has caused a controversy that is sure to go on for a long time to come. The article itself, titled “The Man who remade Motherhood” is about Dr. William Sears and his style of parenting commonly referred to as “attachment parenting." First and foremost I need to make very clear that I’m not anywhere near brave enough to even begin to discuss the subject of so called “attachment parenting” in …
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Recent discussion has caught the attention of local moms.
Few news stories recently have caused quite as much discussion among moms as the recent news that Massachusetts is looking towards banning the time honored tradition of the bake sale. According to recent news coverage, as of August 1 everything from bakes sales to special “treats” for achievements will be banned during the school day. In addition, lawmakers are also pushing for strict rules regarding food at after school events and fundraising. Now, it’s not that the bake sale is the end all be all of social occasions. It’s not that we, as moms, look forward to spending all day baking cupcakes and cookies to sell to the masses. It’s not even that bake sales and other “food orientated” events are the only possible way to raise money for …
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Local gym gives a great opportunity for moms to stay fit.
Spring is here and, for most moms, that can mean only one thing. Summer, lightweight clothes and, yes, bathing suits are right around the corner. Let’s face the facts, after spending an entire winter in stretchy pants and heavy sweaters the mere thought of shorts, never mind a bathing suit, can strike fear into almost any mom's heart. Does that mean that moms everywhere should race out, join a gym, crash diet and desperately try to be bikini ready for Memorial Day? Probably not a great idea. Instead, how about a few words of advice from an expert and an exercise plan that will help you be ready to wear that bathing suit any month of the year? Tracy and Shaun Spaniol, owners of Get in Shape for Women in both Wilmington and Burlington have…
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Tuesday, April 24, 2012
As much as you want to yell at the top of your lungs, sometimes the time just isn't right for it.
We have been waiting months, but spring is finally here and that means that baseball is in full swing. The Opening Day festivities are behind us and, from here on in, weekends and evenings will be filled with baseball. I’ll admit it. I am a die hard, tried and true baseball fan. I have spent my whole life cheering on the Red Sox and, no, I’m not the least bit quiet about it. There is no way for me to deny it. I am a loud, exuberant and, sometimes, obnoxious baseball fan. I fear that my neighbors, and those who have sat next to me at Fenway Park, can confirm it. I’m not very good at holding back. Not really a terrible flaw. I love my team and I show it. Problem is, however, what happens when it is Little League and not the MLB that I’m …
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The topic has been the meat of nationwide debate in recent weeks.
You can’t turn on the television news, look at the internet or even head to a grocery store these days without the subject of “pink slime” coming up. News sites, newspaper articles, casual conversations and, of course, Facebook pages are all filled with more information about pink slime than you probably ever wanted to hear. Stores are changing their policies, fast food chains and restaurants are swearing it off, school systems are banning it and, of course, consumers are up in arms. I can’t pretend to know much about the dreaded “pink slime” other than the fact that it is a substance made up of beef trimmings and beef fat that has been ground up and processed to eliminate bacteria before being added to the final ground beef product. It …
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Jimmy Buffet's works speak true about the language moms speak.
“Delaney talks to statues as she dances 'round the pool. She chases cats through Roman ruins and stomps on big toadstools. She speaks a language all her own just a little like her mother,” Jimmy Buffett, May 12, 1994. When Jimmy Buffett released this song, written about his youngest daughter, he probably had no idea that he truly did hit the nail on the head. Moms do, indeed, speak their own language and, sometimes, it really is one that only another mom can understand. From the first moments that you are expecting the “pregnant brain” jokes begin. Hormones often leave you overwhelmed and even a bit confused. I’ll never forget leaving my house to go to the local hardware store when I was pregnant and ending up so far off track that I …
Carla
10:19 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Christine- I can so relate to everything you write as a Mom! I too have a son (8 years old). I'm seeing everything your write in your columnne with your child happening to me, just different stages! Thank you for giving me many insights!!!! more ›