This group help each other understand the wonders and problems of having a girl. Let's talk about girl bullying, helping girls succeed in non traditional female roles and subjects. We will also promote the fun of being and having girls.
Hallmark Can't Make My Christmas Memories
I have seen this Hallmark commercial several times. A woman sits with her baby in her lap on the floor while she unwraps ornaments from her childhood. They are all Hallmark ornaments signifying her first ballet performance and the year she got a bike for Christmas. Then she unwraps a new one from her mother. Porcelain baby booties for the baby's first Christmas.
What Does Santa Bring To Your House?
When I was four years old I told my mother all the things I wanted for Christmas. It was a long list. My mother said "who is going to pay for all that?" I responded "don't worry mama, Santa will bring it." My mother thought to herself - hey this guy is getting too much credit. So she told me that Santa only brings one toy and the rest come from mommy, daddy, grandparents and some relatives.
Parents Behaving Badly
We took advantage of the mild weather Sunday to attend a relatively new event in Newport News, The Wreathing of the Lions at the Lions Bridge on the James River. My husband dropped us off and went to park the car.
Holiday Newsletters - Love Them or Hate Them?
I do not like holiday newsletters - although I read them anyway. We only have a few of people who send us one (or two or three pages). They are always the same people, so when their card arrives in the mail, I cringe before opening it. They usually write about the same things over and over, bragging about their trip to Disney World or their kids' team making the playoffs.
Christmas Money Savers
How do you save money on Christmas shopping? We have a limited budget this year but I still want to make it fun. What do you suggest?
Am I Cheap or Green?
I thought I had a great idea for our annual Christmas homemade treat exchange we have with neighbors, friends and co-workers. Instead of purchasing holiday style containers, bags or plates like I do every year, I will reuse attractive clear containers from fresh salad mixes, store-baked cookies, Frazoli’s Restaurant, etc.
Kids Alone in Car -What Would You Do?
I really never thought I would witness this, but it happened Friday afternoon - two small children were left alone in a car in a shopping center parking lot. This shopping center has some parking places right next to the sidewalk of the shopping center. My daughters and I were headed toward our car as we walked past a car with a toddler crying.
Hang Up And Play!
I see it everywhere, moms and dads on the phone or texting instead of interacting and playing with their kids. It really hit me when on Thursay evening we were at Disney on Ice. During the intermission, my husband and my daughter Charlotte went to the restroom. I turned to Julia, 5, and asked her how she was enjoying the show. The woman behind me was talking on her cellphone.
A Discipline Experiment
My friend and I both have daughters that are seven years old. They both have developed a sass mouth. A little early we thought. We thought it would happen in a few years, not second grade. I don't ever remember having one because when I was growing up with a navy dad, it was simply not done. If we would have talked back, we would have been picking up our faces off the floor.
Deep Thoughts - NOT!
One of the hardest parts of parenting I've wrestled with is having my thoughts interrupted. Yesterday, I was trying to decide what to wear, when my daughter came into the closet and asked me to put her hair up in a ponytail. I let out a "let me think!" I felt bad afterwards. But it has been a problem for many years.
When Grandparents Are Divorced
When my daughter, Charlotte, age seven, was just four years old, she announced she was not going to have children. "Why?" I asked. "Because that would make you and daddy grandparents. And grandparents cannot be married. I want you and daddy to stay married," she replied.
Enjoy Butterflies and More at Norfolk Botanical Gardens Until Sept. 7
The Norfolk Botanical Gardens is rich in flowers, history and now butterflies. Recently, the gardens opened Flutter Fantasy. The temporary exhibit, opened until Sept. 7, consists of a butterfly garden, a butterfly house and a tall grass maze cut in the shape of a butterfly. The butterfly house is a 30-foot by 100-foot structure with mesh screen all over.
Extra Money
Hi ladies! I am new to this site,and it is a wonderful place to moms! I am really glad that i found this site. I am a 22 year old college senior with a 5 month old baby girl! I would like to extend my services to all of you lovely ladies, I just started a home business and so far it has done me really well!
Warehouse Clubs
Does anyone out there shop mostly at BJs or Sams or Costco and do you feel that this saves you more money than using coupons combined with sales. I feel like I spend too much time at grocery stores and perhaps buy more than I would by being there, even with the sales and coupons. I may try the warehouse-only approach for a month and compare.
A Time for Water and History
There are just 34 days left this summer. My daughters requested more trips to the beach and a visit to either Water Country or Ocean Breeze Water Park. They also want to go on a dolphin watch from the Virginia Aquarium. I agree, we will do all three. However, I also am looking to prepare them for the start of school.
Take Advantage of Free Shows
My daughters and I have taken advantage of the free live performances in the area and we are loving it. I have always been a big fan of library programs along with parks and recreation programs. So far this summer we have seen a wonderful puppet show, a juggler, a storyteller with a harp and snake show.
Nail Biting - Someone Please Help!
She is sweet, very smart, and outgoing. She is my daughter, Charlotte, 7, and she is a nail biter. How bad? We have not had to cut her nails since she was a baby. I cannot relate to this. I was never a nail biter and was even admired for my nice fingernails growing up. We have tried the no bite nail polish, but she confessed she just scraps it off.
Enjoy Free Admission to Fine Arts Exhibits
Get out of the heat this summer and check out Peninsula Fine Arts Center’s cool exhibitions, free on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-8 pm. Free Thursday nights end on July 9, free Tuesday nights continue year round. Among the displays is the Tales of Seven Cities: Tidewater Art Alliance Juried Theme Exhibition, featuring 68 paintings, sculpture, photographs, and other media.
My Baby is Going to Kindergarten and I am Sad. Part II
It happened again. I started to cry thinking about my youngest daughter, Julia, 5, going to kindergarten in the fall. It really caught me by surprise. We had just completed a nature walk on the Noland Trail in Newport News. She took a small bucket to collect things such as fallen leaves, shells, flowers on the ground. In her bucket she placed a beany baby duck.
NASA eClips
When the days are hot and the kids just want to have some screen time, make the most of it. NASA eClips are short, relevant education vidoe segments designed form a wide range of learners. The programs are produced for targeted age groups including K-5, 6-8 and 9-12, plus the general public.
Comments
my daughter is going on 8
my daughter will be 8 on october 3. My husband and I are going through a difficult time dealing with it. She is starting to grow womanly body parts. My husband is not liking it at all. She has to wear a training bra already and she is starting to use deoderant because she is starting to smell differently. She is over the moon about all of it. She wants to tell everyone we meet. I and have told her that she doesnt need to tell everyone that we know. That it should be something that we keep between her daddy and me. Is that wrong of me? She has difficulty being quiet. She LOVES to talk and will talk forever if you let her. I just dont know what to do...
daughter going on 8
Wow! that is something. I would ask your school's counselor for help on this one. Sometimes if someone outside the family says it, it has more meaning. I was also take her to your pediatrician for a check up and explain this early development. For the chatter box thing, I am in the same boat. I will give it some thought.
Susan Smigielski Acker
Well she is homeschooled so i
Well she is homeschooled so i guess that would make me her counsler. I Have talked to the doctor. He said this isnt unusual for her to be going through this at her age. I just remember for me i was much older when i went through what she is going through. My biggest thing is the day she wakes up and becomes a woman. Shes my baby. Its so scary to even think of her like that. I wish they could stay little forever. M other problem is my 6 year old want to have everything the 8 year old has. Im so not ready for that.
You're doing the right thing
You're doing the right thing and will just have to keep on doing the right thing. Before you go out, everytime!, you'll have to gently remind her about appropriate and inappropriate topics of discussions with friends and acquaitances. Help her think of three things she can talk about and remind her nicely to also ask questions about others and to listen to them.
I'm with you on it being hard to see your kids grow up. What a shocker! I keep reminding myself that their hearts are still little and tender, though, and to not expect them to be "adults" just because they're looking more like us every day.
Kristen De Deyn Kirk
Editor, Mytidewatermoms.com
Daughter with ADD
I have a 7 year old step daughter who deals with lots of emotional and behaviour issues. She has been diagnosed with ADD and is on medications, which I am not fond of but it has proven to be effective. I am interested in putting her in counselling and would like some suggestions.
Daughter with ADD
Have you had her checked for food alergies and/or spoken to a nutrition specialist? From some of the reading I've done on ADD/ADHD and the more I learn about food in general, the more I'm coming to realize that what we put in our bodies has a huge impact on what comes out of them :-).
In regards to counseling, it has to be someone your daughter will connect with and that you feel comfortable with and have confidence in. Make sure they treat kids and will work in conjunction with other people you have in her life. It takes a village.
Daughter with ADD
Hello,
I would suggest you look into using hypnosis for your daughter. There are many good books on E-Bay or Amazon about ADD/ADHD. I work with children ages 6 to 19 with several issues including ADD. This is very successful. I am sure you can find a qualified hypnotist or hypnotherapist in your area. Be sure the individual works with your doctor and it would help to bring a doctor's referral to the session. If you have any more questions regarding this use let me know.
Pardner.
Daughter with ADD
I also an not fond of drugs. We DARE to keep them off, and then put them on the minute they act up. One thing I know worked for a boy was martial arts. He just graduated from high school with honors and had not problems within a year of starting the program at age 8. I also heard of hypnosis as a form of therapy. More comments coming on this later from a person who is working on it. I also suggest you check with CHKD on support groups and our web group of children with special needs.
Susan Smigielski Acker
Girls and Science
Would you like to get your preteen daughter interested in science, technology, engineering and math? (STEM fields). There are several steps according Stephanie Blasidell, a consultant in women in STEM fields, a girl who is a little older than your daughter and is excelling in math and science is the best role model.
Other ways include:
Praise high grades on math and science school work.
Talk to your daughter about what she is telling herself in regards to her performance and ability in math and science.
Talk to the teachers and school counselor. Find out what their perspective is on girls in math and science.
Teach them time management in school work.
Take them on day trips and family vacations that emphasize the sciences.
Send them to summer camps and programs that center on math and science.
Susan Smigielski Acker
Parents to Girls
I am trying to teach my daughter about how to handle verbal bullies AKA girls in school. It has been tough because they can be so mean without laying a hand on anyone. It is hard to deal with girls who say mean things but act like they are friends for my daughter.
Susan Smigielski Acker