Archive for May, 2010

Theresa Giarrusso is taking a few days off of blogging to tackle a couple of family and school projects.  Keith Still, a mother of three, will be filling in this week.

Years ago, when we were thinking of having our second – and later, third – child, I remember asking myself whether I would be able to juggle toddler play dates with newborn naptimes; potty-training with infant feedings; or diaper changes with days out at the park.  I also looked way ahead and pondered the idea of at least 12 years of college tuition, and in our case, weddings for three daughters. 

Looking back, I realize my thinking was incredibly short-sighted. Managing the daily activities and needs of three young children is definitely a lot of work, but the real juggling act came when those kids got lives of their own.

All three of my daughters are in school now, and I’m proud of each one for finding and following her interests. My 6-year-old loves gymnastics. My 9-year-old is a big team-sport …

Continue reading How many different schedules can you juggle before you drop one? »

Theresa Giarrusso is taking a few days off of blogging to tackle a couple of family and school projects. Keith Still, a mother of three, will be filling in this week.

While I absolutely love “best places” lists when it comes to traveling, I tend to get skeptical when I read articles that rate places as “the best countries in which to be a mother” – mainly because the idea of what makes a location good for mothering seems to me pretty subjective and often, political.

The lead paragraph in this Agence France Presse article yesterday grabbed my attention: 

“The United States has scored poorly on a campaign group’s list of the best countries in which to be a mother, managing only 28th place, and bettered by many smaller and poorer countries.”

The 2010 “Mothers Index”, published by the Save the Children organization, listed Norway as the best country in the world in which to be a mother, followed by Australia, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Finland, the …

Continue reading What does it mean to be the best place to be a mother? »

Some tech-savvy parents are turning to texting to prevent little ears from listening …

Theresa Giarrusso is taking a few days off of blogging to tackle a couple of family and school projects.  Keith Still, a mother of three, will be filling in this week.

Since time began, parents have looked for ways to communicate like grown-ups with kids in the room. Whether it’s a naughty suggestion as to what to do after the little tykes are asleep, a nice surprise for the wee ones (ice cream after dinner, anyone?), the occasional curse word, or just a laundry list of things that are none of the children’s business, we all have resorted to little codes or tricks to tell our partners what we’re thinking without informing the kids in the process.

It doesn’t matter when they’re babies, of course. But pretty soon, you resort to spelling out key words. “Should we take Johnny and Sally to the p-o-o-l today, or check out the new D-i-s-n-e-y m-o-v-i-e?”  Spelling will buy you some …

Continue reading Can you have grown-up conversations with kids around? »

Theresa Giarrusso is taking a few days off of blogging to tackle a couple of family and school projects.  Keith Still, a mother of three, will be filling in this week.

I don’t know what kind of mom (or daughter) this makes me, but I honestly didn’t realize Mother’s Day was just a few days away until Theresa mentioned it to me on the phone. I chalk it up to the fact that I have three school-aged children (6, 9 and 12) whose schedules have taken a life of their own as of late.

When I think about it, I am sure I have passed by dozens of Mother’s Day-related displays at the grocery, pharmacy and every other shop around town. I just wasn’t paying attention. Recently, I have operated under the “get in the store and get out” mode. I put on the blinders, grab a cart, power-walk down the aisles and race out the doors on my way to gymnastics, softball, dance class, the orthodontist, Field Day, band concerts, choral concerts, sports clinics, foreign language club, and …

Continue reading Surprise! Mother’s Day is just round the corner »

Hey Guys — I haven’t had a week off since July so I’m taking this week off. Our favorite substitute host and my college buddy, Keith Still will be filling in for me. You’ll probably remember that Keith has three daughters who are slightly older than my kids. She also lives in a different part of Atlanta than I do so you’ll be getting some different perspectives on mothering!

She has the password to the Gmail account so feel free to send her ideas and comments.

I know she’ll have lots of great stuff to share with you this week! Have fun! Talk to you all soon!

Theresa G.

P.S. Do you guys realize that Keith blogs once a week for the AJC’s Travel section called Still Traveling? Be sure to check her out every week, not just the week a need a break!

P.S.S. Make sure you read the two blog below about recalls!! We’ve had a medicine recall (on children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl) and two more cribs were recalled! So be sure to make sure you medicines and …

Continue reading I’m taking the week off! Keith is MOM in charge! »

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled two more brands of cribs at the end of last week. (Sorry I didn’t get the notice up sooner!)

It recalled the Graco-branded Lajobi drop-sided cribs and Simplicity fixed and drop-sided cribs with tubular metal frames. Both have the same hazard – babies and toddlers can strangle and suffocate in them.

From the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Web site:

“Graco-branded Lajobi drop-side cribs have now been added to the list of recalled cribs because the hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib.”

“CPSC and LaJobi have received 99 reports of drop-side incidents. In two of them, children became entrapped in the gap created by the detached drop side and were freed by their caregivers. Six other children fell through the gap, including one who sustained a mild concussion.”

Since 2007, CPSC has recalled more than 7 million drop-side cribs in which children have died or been injured. Parents …

Continue reading RECALL: 2 more cribs recalled for danger! »

Moms, check out your medicine cabinets: There has been a voluntary recall on children’s version of Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl, because they don’t meet quality standards. Here is a link to the list of recalled lots!! I know I’ve got three of these in my cabinet right now I need to go and check!

Here is the full story below:

FDA investigating recall of children’s medicine

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration said Saturday it was investigating a health-care company for possible other problems following its recall of more than 40 over-the-counter infant’s and children’s liquid medications.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, based in Fort Washington, Pa., issued the voluntary recall late Friday in the United States and 11 other countries after consulting with the FDA. The recall involves children’s versions of Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl, because they don’t meet quality standards.

The FDA said it …

Continue reading RECALL: Check your Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl! »