"Stranger danger" is part of our culture, and there's a reason kids need to be cautious. Jeff Ward can only imagine a better world in which his fellow man would be held in high regard and we'd all get the same benefit of the doubt. Miss? Toots? Mama? Even "m'lady" would be fine. Just don't "ma'am" Andrea Knudsen. From clothing to candles, many women are involved in direct-sales "party" businesses, as customers or entrepreneurs. Kristin McCann has been there, done that, and explains some of the benefits and problems.
Here a few of the topics tackled by some of our Patch writers last week, in case you missed them: Kristi Gilbert discovered that the DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville is so exhilarating that after an hour's visit, both mom and toddler were ready for a nap. There was a time when a dog never went to a trainer or a groomer, and kids stayed out playing until the street lights came on. Laurie Whitman remembers when a dog was a dog. What's in a fish? Everything from healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein to toxic mercury. Jessica Tobacman weighs the scales, pro and con, on eating fish.
Is nothing made to last? Andrea Knudsen laments a culture in which the things we buy are expected, within a few years, to be junk. When spring break approaches in Western Springs, traffic gets lighter near the school drop-off. Linda Grush considers the effects of families' adding extra vacation days around spring break. Kristi Gilbert and her family moved to the suburbs for more space, and for peace and quiet. So far, the police have been to her house four times.
Decisions, decisions. From picking a park to flying a toddler, our Patch columnists have figured it out. Lynn Hudoba announces the winners of this year's "Parky's"—her personal awards for those hometown parks likely to cause the biggest problems for her autistic daughter and the one that is the best. Kristi Gilbert's secret for flying with a toddler? Buy her a seat. Why don't parents just admit it? None of those school craft projects are 100 percent student-created. Paulette Delcourt comes clean. Panic is contagious, particularly when your child is nearby and you're the one who's panicking. …
"My daughter started piano lessons at the age of 4, when she resembled an American Girl doll in feature and stature. Two years later, my son joined in and I had the pleasure of watching a boy the size of a small watermelon play a Prius-sized piano." Paulette Delcourt explores the joy providing piano lessons for your kids. Some PTAs are more successful than others at raising money to buy techology for their schools. Andrea Knudsen wonders what a school district should do, to keep the academic playing field level. When tragedy occurs, in your family or on the news, what do you tell your …
Being a parent means caring for, and always caring about, your kids. Our Patch writers take on some issues that hit home. Life goes on, and Lorraine Wesolowski loves to dance. But her passion is raising funds to remember her daughter, who was killed by drunk drivers. For most students, a cupcake is a treat. For a few, it can mean a trip to the emergency room. Genene Murphy looks at the issue of food allergies and school safety. Autistic children don't like standing in line. But Lynn Hudoba is grateful Disney World addresses the problem.
Our west suburban Patch columnists consider rites of passage for kids, from ghost stories, to athletic risk, to figuring out normal: When your daughter and other girls believe one of the school's bathrooms is haunted, because an older boy said so, what do you do? Linda Grush considers the bonding effects of scary stories in grade school. Paulette Delcourt learns to live with the worry of watching her son jump off the diving board. What exactly is normal and is it really something to strive for? Andrea Knudsen asks the question and considers the answers.
This week our Patch columnists and reporters took a look at a number of issues related to education, as well as maintaining a balance between raising kids and holding on to adult sanity: Do we push our kids too hard? Kyla Kelme starts a discussion on the pros and cons of America's "achievement culture." Living a block and a half from school, Charlotte Norgaard promised herself she'd always walk her kids to class, but never before she'd taken a shower and made herself presentable. She's broken a lot of promises to herself over the years. A bright yellow sign announcing "Pre-School Screening" …
Here are a few of the things percolating among Patch parents this week: With 23 friends expecting, Kristi Gilbert can't help thinking about pregnancy. Here's a topic that sparked an informative online conversation among La Grange moms and dads: potty training. Lauri Whitman knows that sometimes, kindergarten leads to lifetime friendships: not just for the kids, but the moms, too. Vanessa Nunley likes to have the bed made before the sheets get cold. She has many thoughts on bedding. Transplanted from the South, Kristin McCann has never really acclimated to snow and cold. But her kids have, so …
Our Patch writers were busy again this week, exploring the perils of parenting: When you take the kids to a restaurant, ever get the feeling some of the other patrons develop instant indigestion? Tony Cesare considers the effects kids have on adult diners, and lists some eateries where kids are welcome and others where bringing them is not such a good idea. When your 16-month-old decides one nap a day is enough, and you're both going nuts with boordom, Kristi Gilbert finds a sanctuary at a gym with great daycare. Parenting can be difficult under the best of circumstances. Genene Murphy …
Each childhood is unique, a mosaic of memories. Andrea Knudsen wonders how the Great Blizzard of 2011 will be recalled. Have you ever painted snow with water and food coloring? Brenda Overton has some fun ideas for kids, as winter drags on and the urge to hibernate grows stronger. It was once acceptable to send children, with a note, to buy cigarettes for mom. Tina Tuszynski wonders whether fast food will be a future no-no, considering America's epidemic of childhood obesity. And, on the subject of food, Renee Gough says she has a roast beef crock pot recipe that has changed her life. The …
Here are some of the topics covered by our west suburban Patch columnists this week: If the "F word" your kids are using is "Freaking," how much better is that, really? Kristin McCann offers some observations on parenting and profanity. Amplify Youth Development provides warnings and advice to teens and parents on the dangers of teenage sex. Kimberly Kozaar reports on a recent session in Batavia. The exercise "blends the athleticism of gymnastics and calisthenics with the mental focus and breathing of yoga and tai chi." Fitness guru Tina Tuszynski takes a look at Pilates. "The mean is coming …
It was another great week for our west suburban Patch columnists. Here are a few samples: Bad as the economy is, Charlotte Norgaard will fight for her family's four essential non-essentials. A Bears playoff victory is great, but Laurie Whitman knows that being there as your son's guest is even better. The Bears won the Super Bowl 25 years ago, but at half-time Laurie Kapugi was crying over the loss of her 20-year-old cat. Tina Tuszynski advises that you can stand up straight and look 10 pounds skinnier. But Genene Murphy takes her diet seriously—for her kids, for her asthma and for her …
Being a mom in Chicago's western suburbs means many different things. Day in and day out, Patch's columnists cover it all with personal experience and useful advice. Lynn Hudoba tells us that, for an autistic child subject to sensory overload, a trip for a haircut is an adventure that requires careful planning. Pam Kelleher puts everyday experiences to work, to enlighten her little ones. Pam's grocery game teaches a lot more than math. Tina Tuszynski advises that in the war against gravity, your best friends might be dumbbells. Stephanie Trussell offers expert advice on how to be a Super …
