August 2014 - Motherlode - The Network of Care

Rainy Day Video Game Rules: Is iPad Monopoly ‘Screen Time?’

There are only two children at home on this rainy day, and only one child wants to play Monopoly — which brought up a new question. Is playing Monopoly against the iPad really a "video game"? Read More...

Published Wed, Aug 13 2014 11:31 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, iPad, Children and Childhood, Computer and Video Games, Highlights, Games

When Sports and Family Time Conflict, Speak Up

Try saying this out loud: “Family and academics are more important than sports, until sports conflict, then sports win.” Read More...

Published Fri, Aug 15 2014 6:15 PM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Families and Family Life, Feiler, Bruce, Athletics and Sports, Highlights

Weekly Quandary: Sharing — or Not Sharing — a Good Babysitter

A parent found, after effort, trial and error, a fabulous babysitter. Now everyone in the neighborhood is trying to get in on the act. Read More...

Published Mon, Aug 04 2014 6:14 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, advice, Highlights

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

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)

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

Need Kids to Follow Instructions? Don’t Ask. Tell.

“Do you want to put on your shoes now?” “Should we have macaroni and cheese for dinner?” “How about you go brush your teeth?” These are not really questions. Read More...

Published Fri, Aug 08 2014 6:28 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Children and Childhood, Highlights

Baby Pictures at the O.B.’s Office? No More.

Because of privacy and legal concerns, there will be no more "baby walls" of patient and family photos in doctors offices. Read More...

Published Tue, Aug 12 2014 10:02 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Privacy, Babies and Infants, Highlights

How Does a 2-Year-Old Wear Glasses? (Not) Very Carefully.

I wasn’t happy when the pediatric ophthalmologist ordered up glasses for my toddler. But it wasn’t supposed to be about me. Read More...

Published Fri, Aug 15 2014 9:00 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Highlights, Eyes and Eyesight, Eyeglasses

The Case for Bribing Kids to Memorize Poetry

I offered an hour and 15 minutes of Minecraft in exchange for memorizing a poem, and my son was in. Read More...

Published Sun, Aug 03 2014 6:08 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: parenting, Education (K-12), Highlights, Poetry and Poets

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)

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)

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

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

If We Link Boys With Bedlam, What Does That Say to Our Girls?

Our hosts this summer, all parents of girls, shook their heads ruefully as my sons romped. If I hear disapproval of my sons’ behavior in their comments, surely their daughters hear approval of more placid ways. Read More...

Published Thu, Aug 07 2014 9:14 AM by Motherlode

Filed under: gender, parenting, Women and Girls, Highlights

August 2014 - Motherlode

Syndication

Recent Posts

Tags

Archives