How to Manage Relationships, Online and Offline
Like it or not, your kids are getting online. And they are likely to be more versed on making “friends” than we are. At some point, they’ll get a weird message or get unfriended. *gasp* So how are we going to guide them in the world of Club Penguin and Pixie Hollow?
Youthologist, Vanessa Van Petten shares her thoughts. What are yours?
Read the story »
How to Diffuse Anger
Expert Mommy and Play Therapist, Pam Dyson shares some constructive tips on how to respond to our kids (or our own) anger! The next time our kids “lose it,” remember that they learn a lot from modeling. *wink* What do you think?
—
Practical Mommy is Ria Sharon, co-creator of the Yogi Parenting course. If you are ready for parenting to be easier, more fun and less stressful, sign up for a free Yogi Parenting lesson.
Zen Mommy Minute: Beautiful Boundaries
No, I do not have a twin. I just wanted to show you one of my favorite pieces of art which we happen to have hung by a rather large mirror. What I wanted to show you is how this piece of art reminds me of my “boundaries”.
Boundaries (in art and in life) are a beautiful thing. They give structure and form when they are present and can be sorely missed when they are not. Listen to this short video for more on the topic of parenting and boundaries.
What are some of your biggest challenges in the area of boundaries and parenting? Mine is Read the story »
How Our Relationships Matter
When people ask me what I do and I tell them I co-create an online community for moms, they often follow up with, “That is so cool! How did you decide to do that?” Depending on the window of time available (that I can sometimes gauge by the amount of liquid they have left in their glass), I go into a version of the following narrative:
A couple of years ago, I went to a conference in Chicago called Successful and Outstanding Bloggers. At the time, I had another business and my purpose for being there was to learn how blogging could help promote it. I didn’t know any of these people (Chris Brogan, Brian Clark, Terry Starbucker, Liz Strauss, Chris Garrett, David Bullock et. al.) but my takeaway message from the speakers that weekend was that whatever you do is… YOU! Read the story »
How to Mend a Broken Heart
“What’s ‘unrequited love’ mean?” That’s the opening line from my son when I picked him up from school earlier today.
As any experienced parent knows, this is the type of question that doesn’t deserve an immediate answer. It deserves another question. So I say, “Why do you ask?”
“Well, this girl at school said that she had ‘unrequited love’ for me. I don’t know what she’s talking about.”
It sounds to me as if this girl may not only be more mature than my son but she also has a better vocabulary.
I start thinking about how to best answer his question and my mind veers onto the nostalgia road where I recall a few personal “unrequited love” stories from my tween/teen years. Read the story »
Baby(ies) Watch
Month One: MEET THE BABIES!
Hi all. I’m excited to say that Ria and I have planned a USTREAM.TV party with some of our online mommy friends and you’re invited. We’ll be streaming live from my home at 11am on TUESDAY, MARCH 16th and I’d LOVE to introduce you to Hadley and Colin. The real event of the day is to launch the Yogi Parenting Course, and as I am still on maternity leave, Ria agreed to bring the party to Hadley, Colin and I!!! Sooooo, not only will we be launching Yogi Parenting… talking with some groovy mom friends about all things parenting AND giving away prizes, but I will finally be able to introduce Hadley and Colin to you as well. One day Read More →
Home Keeping
How To Make an Alligator Puppet
This is an easy and fun way to make a homemade alligator hand puppet. The things you will need to make this simple project are: 2 empty macaroni and cheese boxes, tape, glue, scissors, and construction paper (2 green, 1 red, and 1 white). Read More →
How to pick the best closet organizing system
Picture with me now the typical closet in a home. A hanging bar with a shelf above or the wire shelving with the section for hanging items that is segmented so the hanging clothes only slide so far. I don’t know exactly who these types of closets were designed for, neither adults nor kids. What do you do with a closet that is not useful for what you need but it needs to be practical and grow with your kids. Oh yeah and we need something affordable too don’t we? Here are a couple things for you to think about and some places to look. Read More →
Food
How to Make a 2-Step Pound CakeThere is not better cake in the universe to me than pound cake. It has always been my favorite cake and I love it so much that our wedding cake was pound cake. Pound cake is an annual family tradition as a dessert in our family. We serve it with Peppermint Stick Ice cream and I have to say it is the highlight of the holiday season! If you have never tried the combination you MUST. It can also be served with fresh fruit and whipped cream. I prefer homemade whipped cream. Of course I don’t advise you to eat too much of this rich dessert. I have always been told that pound cake got the name from the list of original ingredients…a pound of butter is used in this recipe so it...
How to Make a Savory Pot RoastSavory Pot Roast- This recipe was passed to me from my Mom. There is nothing better than a delicious tender pot roast on a cold winter day! 3 1/2 to 4 lb beef round or chuck pot roast 1 can (10 3/4 oz) Cream of Mushroom Soup 1 pouch Dry Onion Soup Mix 1 1/4 cup hot water 6 medium carrots cut into 2 inch pieces or 1 small bag of baby carrots 6 medium potatoes peeled and quartered 2 TBSP flour 2 TBSP Olive Oil In 6 quart dutch oven or 8 quart pot with lid add 2 TBSP oil and heat on medium/high heat. Add roast and brown on all sides. Remove fat. Stir in cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix and 1 cup of hot water. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook 2 hours stirring often. Add vegetables,...
Health & Development
How to Decide Whether to Circumcise Your Baby BoyOne of our Expert Mommies, Dr. Cara Natterson, M.D. is featured in this informative video on circumcision. It’s a heated debate and each of these experts provides different opinions on the topic. We decided to do it but were biased by religious and cultural reasons. Although I don’t regret the decision, I’m glad I don’t have to decide again! What about you, moms of boys? Read More →
How to Protect Your Kids from Swine Flu: Stop the SpreadOur featured Expert Mommy is Cara Natterson is a mom of two, a Board certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics who has treated thousands of children in her private practice. Her latest book Dangerous or Safe? hits bookshelves TODAY. Cara has appeared as a pediatric and parenting expert on television shows like Today and CNN and today she is talking to us about H1N1 as well as child vaccinations. Read More →
How to Screen for Breast CancerIt’s an issue that most people want to sweep under the rug, like if you don’t talk about it, it won’t happen to you. But if you’re like me, you have a sister, mother, or friend who has had to fight this disease. Not only is October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month but this year marks 25 years of NBCAM.We want to do our part to promote early detection for this cancer that strikes at the core of our community of women. Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has published Breast Self-Awareness Cards in a number of languages that are free to download here. Interestingly, they address the breast self-exam as only one part of early detection, because evident on whether or not...










