How To Make an Alligator Puppet
March 4, 2010 by Kim Young · Leave a Comment
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 Include Your Kids
February 18, 2010 by Practical Mommy · Leave a Comment
There’s been a lot of press lately about the detrimental effects of “screen time” on our babies and toddlers. In this segment with Expert Mommy, Sophia Pierroutsakos, Ph.D., I love the shift in our conversation about what we can do instead.
Sophia is not only a developmental psychologist by training but also a mom of two girls. She makes a great point: “The most important thing you can give your baby is you!”
My boy and I love to cook together and my girl and I share a love of books. What are some of the things you share with your kids?
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Zen Mommy Minute: Share Yourself
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Practical Mommy is Ria Sharon. Co-creator of My Mommy Manual and the online parenting course, Yogi Parenting. Click the links for Practical Mommy’s recommendations for travel car seats, affordable and fun diaper bags (skip hop bag), and the best-selling crib brand, Da Vinci Crib.
How to Decide Whether to Circumcise Your Baby Boy
February 15, 2010 by Practical Mommy · 7 Comments
One 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?
How Our Relationships Matter
February 8, 2010 by Practical Mommy · 19 Comments
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 more
How to Make Resolutions… and Break Them!
January 21, 2010 by Margee Moore · Leave a Comment
My daughter has a goal to be the first six-year-old with a hundred-dollar bill. I don’t have the heart to tell her about the Vanderbilt/Whitney/Mary-Kate and Ashley set. So far she’s accumulated three twenties from her weekly payoffs/allowances. 
I’m glad she has a goal, even if the economy has turned our notions of thrift and hard work upside down. In that spirit, let’s take a look at a few resolutions we might as well break in the New Year. Read more
How to Find a Sitter or Nanny
December 18, 2009 by Zen Mommy · Leave a Comment
Learn the ins and outs of finding a great sitter or nanny for your family. From asking great interview questions to performing background checks, Debbie’s tips for finding a good sitter or nanny come from years of experience. Working with TLC or Kids, a premiere placement agency in St. Louis and co- creator of FindtheBestNanny.com, Debbie has been placing professional Sitters and Nannies for over a decade; not to mention she’s a mom of three children of her own under four years of age!
How to Tell If Something is Safe?
November 12, 2009 by Practical Mommy · 3 Comments
How do you know if something is a health myth or a real health risk? One of our Expert Mommies, Dr. Cara Natterson wrote a book called, Dangerous or Safe? Which Foods, Medicines, and Chemicals Really Put Your Kids at Risk. As a pediatrician, she was finding that many doctors don’t have time to explain to patients why things are safe or not and as a result, there was a lot of misinformation.
Listen to what makes Dr. Natterson’s “Danger” list! You won’t want to miss this!
Zen Mommy Minute: “Book Cuddling”
November 9, 2009 by Zen Mommy · 3 Comments
This week I am spending four amazing days soaking up the best of the best when it comes to the latest in early childhood development at the Parents As Teachers 25th National Conference. Yep, it’s all happening this week in my hometown of St. Louis (how lucky can a girl GET?!?!) and My Mommy Manual is there with Media Passes to cover the full event. You can expect a number of posts in the days and weeks to come inspired by the darn-knowledgeable, topical and FUN presenters we’re seeing.
How are Practical Mommy and I enjoying the conference thus far? Just think “kid in a candy store” and you’ve got the idea. Yesterday at a workshop entitled “Read With Me” I was reminded of the importance of reading with kids. I know you hear a lot about this topic from doctors, magazines, etc… but let me tell you about the message I got from this session that had a refreshing twist! Learn more in this one minute video and/or by reading on!
How to Hire a Sitter for a Sick Child
November 5, 2009 by Zen Mommy · 2 Comments
With all this flu in our schools, working moms and dads are faced with some tough decisions when it comes to taking time off work. Some schools are closing leaving well kids home on short notice for days on end. I interviewed Expert Mommy Debbie Hipp who has over a decade of experience placing nannies and sitters. Here she offers us some useful tips and answers my questions on sick child care. How do you manage when the kids are out for 3,4, or 7 days in a row (like mine were this month?!?!)
How To Talk About Sex & Stay Sane
November 4, 2009 by Diane Asyre · 3 Comments
I never thought to tell my toddlers not to put a big magnet against the TV screen. The green and purple spot on the TV screen is a permanent reminder of the warning that I never gave. 
They are now 11, 12 and 13 years old. The harm they could do or have happen to them has ramped up remarkably. I feel that I’ve entered an awkward stage right along with them. I’m fretting about how to continue to talk with them about puberty and sex.
