Selena's Musings About Raising Children

Can't Get Your Kid to Floss

2009-09-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

Kids don't enjoy flossing and I don't really enjoy having to floss a 6 year olds teeth every night. The win-win would to have a fun flossing solution that my kids enjoy to do themselves -- one that I don't have to do every night. I got a sample of the new DenTek Fun Flossers and tried them out. Check it out:

Guess what? This kids floss actually works -- it is fun to use (fruit flavor, cool colors) and easy to use (big grip handle). This way my kids will actually want to floss their own teeth. Sure I will still give them a "grown up" flossing every few days just to make sure its done right, but these Fun Flossers let them be a big kid and develop healthy habits from the start. I think we have a winner here. Try it out for yourself.

Another School Year and Fundraising Begins

2009-09-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

Who exactly is all this fund raising at school for? I mean, it seems every week there is a new fund raising thing going on. From books to candles to chocolates, who benefits from all this? The school? How much money does the school need? I mean, I pay $2400 a year in taxes each year only for school fees (my total bill is over $3800). Does the school need more and more?

Don't Lose Your Memories

2009-09-18T06:27:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about the affects of aging... I'm speaking of the unthinkable -- losing your photos and videos stored on your computer. Look, if you don't have a DVD or online backup of your digital life, then you are just inviting heartbreak. One virus or a hardware failure and you will lose all your precious digital photos and videos. Be smart and get those important files backed up today and next month and so on.

Just Say No to Big Diaper Bags

2009-09-18T06:26:00.000-07:00

Look here -- you should be hauling around 10 diapers, ever! When my kids were in diapers I only ever carried 3 diapers at a time. That, a pack of wipes and a change of clothes. You should be set in virtually any circumstance. I mean, how long are you going to be out, away from the car or house/hotel? When traveling with a baby you should never be more than 3 diapers away from home.

New Schools

2009-09-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

Chances are that if you live in a growing community, you know of some new schools opening up. Whether your kids get rezoned there or not, these new schools are really cool. My daughter just started a new school this year and it is great. Everything is brand new -- from the classroom furniture to the posters on the wall, its all brand spanking new and fresh. What a joy to be able to attend a brand new school.

Too Young for Dating?

2009-09-18T06:22:00.000-07:00

No I don't mean teenagers -- I mean play dates for little kids. Play dates are a great way to get young kids better at playing together and making friends. My almost 3 year old had his first play date today at our home. The other kid's mother stayed and the two kids played nicely (if not independently) together. Its a great first step to building social skills and friendships.

Flooring for Kids

2009-09-03T18:35:00.000-07:00

What is the best type of flooring for having in a house with kids? No its not porcelain tile, wood or marble (duh). It could be linoleum, but in my book that's a close second. No, the best flooring to have in a house with kids is.... carpet! Sure it can get messy and stained but its soft to land on and easy to tear up and replace in the future.

The School Routine is ON!

2009-09-03T18:33:00.001-07:00

Yes, school is not even a month old and my kids have already gotten into the groove regarding routine. They wake up on time, get ready on time, and get to school on time. After school they get their homework done and are ready for bed by 8:30pm. Such a bedtime would have been unheard of during the summer but now its a reality again!

Never Too Soon to Prep

2009-08-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

College is coming fast whether your kids are in 9th grade or 12th grade! Once they hit high school its never too soon to start preparing for college entrance exams and standardized tests. Sign them up for GMAT prep or SAT prep courses and have them take the test early and often. The best score counts and every time your kid takes the test, they get more comfortable with it! Think about it -- a lot if riding on these test scores.

Bus or Car?

2009-08-12T19:52:00.000-07:00

How does your child get to school in the morning? Do you drive them to the door or do they ride the school bus? Other options include them driving themselves (older kids, duh), taking public transportation or walking to school. I'd like to see the results of this informal poll. Just leave a comment and let me know how your kid gets to school.

I Hope They Take Careof the kids

2009-08-12T19:50:00.000-07:00

With all this talk in Washington DC about health care and health insurance reform, there is one area which I hope they get right and that's kids health care. All children deserve to be healthy and to have medical care for them. Its sorta like Medicare supplement insurance for kids -- universal health care for all kids under 18 years old. I need to read up on whats in these proposed bills and see if the kids are taken care of.

1st Week Almost Over

2009-08-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

The first week of school is almost over and I think I am going to survive. Sure the kids back at school means a break for me, but it also means having to wake up early in the morning to get them ready and to the bus on time. Then in the afternoon, it means picking them up and getting them to do their homework before dinner. Its a schedule to get used to!

Where Did You Go?

2009-08-05T04:19:00.000-07:00

Where did you go this past summer on vacation? Did you take the classic way with Florida vacations? You know -- Disney World and the beach? Or did you stay local (the "staycation")? Did you visit any national parks? Or did you visit an ocean? Let me know and lets share our favorite summer vacation moments of 2009.

Wake Up Now!

2009-08-05T04:17:00.000-07:00

Pretty soon the school year will start and kids (and parents) are going to need to wake up at ungodly hours to get ready for school on time. I'm talking about scrapping those summer 7am and 8am wake up calls and swapping them in for 5:30 am and 6:15 am alarms. Getting one or more kids ready for school in the morning can be a chore, so make sure you get your kids ready for it. Have them start going to bed early this week, so its not impossible to get them to wake up on the first day!

Bad Media Messages

2009-08-05T04:14:00.000-07:00

You realyl have to watch what your kids see on TV these days. And its not just about the television shows which causes concern. I'm just as concerned with the commercials they watch than the shows. Think about it. What is your kid going to think when they see Viagra commercials, violent movie trailers and ads for weight loss pills? Its really not good for young kids to get exposed to. Commercials are MADE to appeal to people and make them want the product. What are young and impressionable kids to think?

Meet Your Teacher

2009-08-05T04:13:00.001-07:00

Have you gone to your children's school open house this month? Now is usually the time to pick up registration forms, sign up for PTA, and get your kids' lunch card setup and charged up. Its also a time to find out who your kid's teacher will be and show them where their class is. Chances are they won't remember where the class is, but its all about making them excited about the new school year.

Do The Right Thing

2009-08-05T04:09:00.000-07:00

Take a moment and reflect -- are you doing the right thing when it comes to your life and your kids' future? Look, no one wants to die or even think about dying. But when you are a parent, it is your duty to address this fact and be prepared, just in case. That means two things in my book. First, make sure you have a will and it is legal. That means it follows a legal format and is signed by witnesses. Secondly, you need to have life insurance to provide for your kids if you pass. Check the web for life insurance rates and find a rate you can afford. Seriously people -- just set it and forget it!

School Count Down

2009-08-05T04:07:00.000-07:00

This is it! The final countdown week to the start of the new school year. How are you feeling about it? How are your children feeling about it? We are all excited at my house -- the kids are ready to get back to school, meet their new teachers, find out who is in their classes, and catch up with friends. I am excited because school brings structure and that just makes life a little easier for parents.

Sun + Fun

2009-07-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder how kids stay so active and where their appetites come from? Well its the sun -- its a natural fat burner! Lunch and then play! Dinner and then play! Summer vacation is time for kids to run wild and burn off all their extra energy. Just make sure your kids have enough sun screen on them when they go outside. You wouldn't want to burn their sensitive skin.

Too Young to Date?

2009-07-08T19:12:00.001-07:00

Baby Weight Blues -- Boo Hoo

2009-07-08T19:09:00.000-07:00

Do you have the baby weight blues? You know what I'm talking about -- your baby is getter bigger and you are not getting smaller? There are tons of products made to help you lose weight -- slimquick, testoripped, ali -- but what you really need to do it hit the gym. I know -- its tough to find time and you are probably very tired, but you need to find some time to escape and get in some physical fitness.

LV? Kate Spade? Le Sport Sac?

2009-07-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

When my kids were in diapers I only ever carried 3 diapers at a time. That, a pack of wipes and a change of clothes. You should be set in virtually any circumstance. I mean, how long are you going to be out, away from the car or house/hotel? When traveling with a baby you should never be more than 3 diapers away from home.

Now all that's over with. No more diapers for my kids! I can actually start carrying around a real purse!

Comfortable Shoes!

2009-07-08T19:05:00.002-07:00

Running after kids all day (or all summer)? Well you need to make sure you have some comfortable shoes like Dansko shoes. Try some slip on shoes -- they make it easier for you to get on and a lot quicker than laces or buckles. Its hard enough to get the kids out of the house by yourself -- don't make it harder on yourself by having difficult, uncomfortable shoes to put on!

Did You Keep Up with Your Baby Book?

2009-07-08T19:05:00.001-07:00

Are you keeping up with your kids' milestones? What about the baby book? I think it all has to depend on the length of the baby book or milestone recording. I think a baby book that cover the first 2 years of life is perfect. Any longer and it starts to get tough to record every little thing. Any less, and you miss important stuff to write down. My husband's mom actually kept a book through Grade !! What?!? That's crazy!

Kids and TV Ads

2009-06-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

Which TV channels do you let your kids watch? Any and all? I hope not. All those non-kid channels have too many inappropriate shows and just as inappropriate commercials. From Viagra to the most effective diet pills, what are kids to think when they see these commercials? Make sure they only stick to cartoon or educational channels and make sure they don't watch too much TV in general. There's too much bad stuff on the other TV stations.