Thursday, November 8, 2012
Though one blogger thinks Charlie Brown movies send the wrong message, Patch's mom columnist disagrees.
Last week while watching the news I saw a story featuring a blogger who believed that Charlie Brown specials, starting with but not limited to, “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” should be retired from television. His opinion centered on the fact that the name calling and teasing throughout the Charlie Brown specials was nothing more than bullying and that, “Charlie Brown is supposed to be the hero, instead he is kicked and demeaned at every turn, even by the adults giving out candy.” In addition the blog goes on to criticize Snoopy’s World War II “flying ace alter ago” as being inappropriate for young children. Ok, before I go any further I need to make very clear I am not coming out in favor of name calling, bullying or violence. I …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
In the blink of an eye, your baby is suddenly a teenager. So how do you handle it?
Moms always comment how fast time flies as we raise our children and this week I can truly vouch for that. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I find that I am the mother of a 13-year-old boy. Yes, it happened, my son went and had a birthday and officially crossed the line to being a teenager. Looking back I’m not truly sure how it happened. It seems like just yesterday I was expecting a baby and, today, that baby is 13 years old. So, I’ve had all these years to prepare myself, but the question remains. Am I really ready for the teenage years? I guess the best answer comes in the form of yet another question. Looking back was I even ready for the first 13 years? Motherhood isn’t the type of job that comes with a manual. Sure there are all sorts of …
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
How old is "old enough" for kids to do certain things?
The other day I asked some friends what they thought would be a good topic for the next Life in The Mom Lane. Overwhelmingly, the answer was “how old is old enough” for kids to do certain things. Well, I did visit this subject once before but, with some many requests; I am more than happy to take another look. My initial article was prompted by a discussion with friends after I took my then eleven year old son to see The Dropkick Murphy’s in concert. Was it a good decision to bring him? Well, apparently it was because, since that evening, we have seen the band in concert again and had even more fun than the first time around. Is every eleven-year-old ready to go to a concert with his mom? Probably not. Is every concert appropriate? …
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
While moms always make sure their children take care of themselves, they don't always remember to think of their own health as well.
It’s hard to get through the month of October without realizing that it is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It seems that for 31 days everyone wants to wear pink in support of breast cancer education, research and awareness. Originally founded over 25 years ago, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is, as their website explains, “a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to services.” With a number of collaborating organizations including The American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, …
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Columnist Christine MacKenzie writes that familiarity truly does breed comfort.
This weekend I had the chance to spend an evening with two of my closest friends from high school. Inevitably, the talk turned to “the good old days” and out came a picture of the three of us together at, imagine this, our junior prom. The year was 1983 and we had no idea that twenty nine years later we would still be together. Looking at that photo truly reminded me how fast the years have flown by. I look at the three of us with our outdated hair styles, pink taffeta dresses and prom bouquets in hand and I see children. Yes, we were 16 years old at the time but, frankly, we sure didn’t look it. That being said it’s hard to imagine that, at the very same time, I feel as if that prom was yesterday. I can’t even begin to wrap my mind …
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
A weekend without her phone teaches columnist that cell phones may be getting a bad rap these days.
Last weekend I had what could possibly be one of the most harrowing experiences that a “work form home” mom could possibly have. My cell phone stopped working. Ok, it might sound like a simple fix to some of you out there but, reality is, when your cell phone is your lifeline to both your job and your kids losing it is anything but simple. Let’s face it the facts here. Text messages, emails, and phone calls are probably the most important forms of communication that we have at our disposal these days. Being able to take those communications everywhere we go is simply a “given” these days. Yes, I return emails between innings at little league games and yes, I respond to text messages while I volunteer at the Pop Warner snack shack. …
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Columnist Christine MacKenzie takes a look at how our perspective has changed in the years since the tragedy.
This week marks the eleventh anniversary of the September 11 attacks. It’s hard to believe that so many years have passed since the events of that tragic day. Whether or not you are a parent it’s difficult to look back at that day and not think about how it has changed the lives of children all over America. The reality is that, as Americans, we all lost something on September 11, 2001. Countless families suffered tragic and unexpected losses. Those who weren’t touched personally still looked on in horror as fellow Americans lost their lives to the most shocking terrorist attack to ever take place. Since that day two wars have followed and many more heroes have lost their lives protecting us and preserving our freedom. The sad reality is …
Friday, September 7, 2012
With school underway, kids are going to start getting sick. Find out how to prevent that from happening.
As most moms know, back to school means a lot of different things. Busier schedules, homework, fall sports, a whole new set of after school activities, and, of course, back to school bugs. Frankly, it almost seems inevitable that, no matter how old a kid is, they always seem to catch some kind of illness within the first few weeks of school. Now, before anyone gets crazy here I am not saying that school makes kids sick! I am, however, saying that it seems like the change in seasons, the change in schedules and even the change in scenery all seem to contribute to an almost inescapable case of something. Take, for example, my friend Colleen. Her daughter started the first grade less than a week ago and was already sidelined with a case of …
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Life in the Mom Lane columnist Christine MacKenzie explains how she gets back into the routine of the new school year.
Well, here we are again. Another summer is winding down and another fall is almost underway. It's allmost time to replace trips to the beach with afternoons at the farm and switch from ice cream to apple cider for a treat. Most of all, in a mom’s world, the end of summertime means its time for the kids to go back to school. For some moms it’s the happiest time of the year and for others, like me, back to school is more of a bittersweet ending to my favorite season. I guess it all depends on just how you look at it. Love it or hate it, however, back to school means adjusting to a new schedule, a new routine and a lot of different responsibilities. As a mom you aren’t actually going back to school yourself but, frankly, it really does feel …
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Not all lessons children learn are taught inside the classroom.
Ok, I’ll admit it. I am likely the only mom in my town who didn’t realize that school begins next week. Yes, I knew that, traditionally, we always begin before Labor Day and yes, I knew that it wasn’t far away. But, even so, I was absolutely shocked when another mom at the football field this evening mentioned the first day of school. Like many of the kids in town I guess I was simply in denial. As crazy as it sounds I don’t look forward to “back to school.” I said it last year and I will say it again this year. I love summer vacation. I enjoy the freedom, the chance to hang out with my son and, frankly, the lack of homework and the early morning race to the school bus. That’s not to say, however, that I don’t value education. I have …
Jim Stratton
9:54 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Snoopy is a World War I pilot, not WWII. Otherwise, I agree completely. more ›