August 2014 - Motherlode - The Network of Care

13, and Surviving in the Woods on Squirrel Pizza

The 20-something mastermind behind my son's outdoor survival program presented parents with no medical forms or really any assurances for our children’s safety. Yet my son has never been hurt any worse than he has playing with friends in our finished...

Published Fri, Aug 29 2014 9:57 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Camps and Camping, Highlights

Don’t Just Pay for Chores. Pay for Performance.

A motivational scale for the chores problem: nothing if it's all reminding and whining; more if you do an adequate job; and a substantial bonus for performance. Read More...

Published Thu, Aug 28 2014 7:10 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: Chores, parenting, Highlights, The Opposite of Spoiled, Allowance

American Kids, Learning to Aim and Fire

I've talked to my children long and hard about guns and gun safety. I've made them practice what to say and do. And this summer, three of the four of them learned to shoot. Read More...

Published Wed, Aug 27 2014 2:26 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Gun Control, Firearms, Highlights

How Nicole Zeitzer Johnson, Communications Director and Special Needs Parent, Does It

I have a 7-year-old and a 2-year-old whose seizures mean someone’s eyes have to be on her at every moment. Fortunately I also have a husband, a nanny and an extremely flexible job. Read More...

Published Wed, Aug 27 2014 12:20 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: Child Care, parenting, How I Do It, Seizures (Medical)

Back-to-School Blues

You know that moment in "A Visitor for Bear" when Bear realizes that as much as he likes his quiet routines, he likes having someone there to laugh at his jokes, too? My children went back to school this morning, and I felt that. Read More....

Published Wed, Aug 27 2014 8:06 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Education (K-12), Seasons and Months, Highlights, Autumn (Season)

Hookup Line. Carpool. Same Rituals, New School.

Some things are the same no matter where you are: the car pool line (called "hookup" in our new town). The health forms. The classrooms, the desks, the cubbies. It's not Mars, it's just school. They know how to do school. Read More....

Published Tue, Aug 26 2014 8:29 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Education (K-12), Highlights, New In Town, Nashville (Tenn)

Weekly Quandary: Revisiting Limits on Screen Time

It's a constant quandary. A parent writes "I feel like my biggest parenting challenge is the battle against screens taking over my children's lives." Read More...

Published Mon, Aug 25 2014 11:48 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: Television, parenting, iPad, Highlights, Wii (Video Game System), Xbox (Video Game System)

In a Stepfamily, Whose Fairness Wins Out?

In my new husband's family, what was "fair" in family life was governed by seniority. I preferred to rely on egalitarian turn taking. "Fair" turns out to be subject to interpretation. Read More...

Published Sun, Aug 24 2014 5:29 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Divorce, Separations and Annulments, Families and Family Life, Highlights

A 6-Year-Old Shouldn’t Inherit a Stiff Upper Lip

My mother was sent away from her mother during the Blitz. She was expected to be stoic, and she expected the same from me. Now, I’m trying not to pass her dismissal of all fears on to my daughter. Read More...

Published Fri, Aug 22 2014 9:38 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Grief (Emotion), Great Britain, Highlights, World War II (1939-45)

Simple Student Routines for Back-to-School Success

Establishing routines like a weekly regroup (with trash can and storage at hand), evening organization and nondigital bedtimes set the stage for a successful year. Read More...

Published Thu, Aug 21 2014 10:22 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Sleep, Education (K-12), Highlights, Parent-Teacher Conference

Casting Call: Rethink Family Dinner With Jenny Rosenstrach

During the week of Sept. 8, we’ll be coaching a real family through real family dinners in real time – seven new meals in seven days – and we hope that you’ll cook along with us. Read More...

Published Wed, Aug 20 2014 3:31 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Food, Cooking and Cookbooks, Blogs and Blogging (Internet), Highlights, Dinner: The Boot Camp

How Dekiema Pogue, Military Spouse and Administrative Assistant, Does It

A flexible schedule and an equally flexible employer help make this military spouse's sometimes solo parenting easier. Read More...

Published Wed, Aug 20 2014 12:43 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Work-Life Balance, How I Do It, Highlights, United States Defense and Military Forces

Weekly Quandary: Should Siblings Spectate?

Is sibling attendance at a brother or sister’s sports or other events part of being a supportive family, or “dragging them along?” Read More...

Published Tue, Aug 19 2014 10:18 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: Siblings, parenting, advice, Families and Family Life, Athletics and Sports

And Then The Dog Died: Things You Can’t Plan for When Planning a Move

I thought I’d planned for all the changes coming our way when my family moved to a new city. Then — silly me — I realized you can’t plan for the unexpected. Read More...

Published Tue, Aug 19 2014 8:53 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: Highlights, New In Town

Viral Video Parents and Non-Photo Sharers Debate

Is sharing videos and pictures a violation of a child’s right to privacy, or a simple act to remain connected to friends and family? Read More...

Published Mon, Aug 18 2014 8:45 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, social media, Privacy, Photography, Children and Childhood, Highlights

August 2014 - Motherlode

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