Examiner.com Article

I recently began writing for the Examiner.com. Here is my first article.

March is the month for reading — not that every month isn’t important for reading but this month is especially important. Let me tell you why. And how you can partake in the fun right in your own backyard.

Plugged in Parents Article

My son will be 2 in September.  He will start “school”.  Some call it Pre-K, some call it daycare but I will call it “school”.  I am already having anxiety about it.

We visited his future three mornings a week school the other day and to be honest, everything I write and preach about when out the window.  My fears set in; he’s not old enough, he’s not ready, he will never be able to leave me.  All that I say about encouraging our children to be independent, believing in them, etc. was gone.  I was a blabbering mess trying to act as this calm, composed mother.  What I failed to realize was that while I was busy worrying that I was pushing my son into something he was not ready for. Continue reading »

Belleville Times Article – sTORI TELLING

Let’s do a free association. The term is “Donna Martin graduates.” Go.

If you responded with “Beverly Hills, 90210″, you are most likely in the same age box as me. That box that we are closer to no longer being part of. If you responded with, “Who?” or “That’s nice, who is she?” then you are probably already in that next box. Continue reading »

What do you want to be when you grow up?

How many professions did you want to pursue as child? I wanted to be a teacher, an architect and a marine biologist to name a few. Yes, a marine biologist.  I spent a summer in California and after visiting Sea World, I was hooked. I did not pursue this and I’m not much of a water person so it was probably for the best. Continue reading »

Mend My Heart

As I was thinking about the activities I suggested for Valentine’s Day, one more came to mind. Call this a “heartfelt” symmetry challenge …

Use all one color of construction paper to create different sized hearts; red or pink are always appropriate colors for this holiday! Cut out hearts in all different size and then separate them by cutting directly down the middle. This will create two equal sides of hearts. Hang the heart pieces around the house and call for a symmetry challenge. If your child is old enough, review the concept and the word symmetry. If they are not old enough, this can be more of a matching challenge.

Scour your house to find all of the pieces and then one by one, match up the pieces to create complete hearts. This can be done repeatedly and provides a good opportunity to review these mathematical concepts. If this is a success, continue this with other shapes; circles, squares, rectangles, triangles. Happy mending!

Belleville Times Article – Belly Laughs

A woman is pregnant for 10 months. Yes, 10 months, not 9 months. I have been questioned on this fact, mostly by men who have no idea what it is like to be pregnant. The last time I checked, 4 weeks in a month multiplied by 10 months equals 40 weeks. Even if you do not understand this, let me give you a piece of advice. Do not question a woman who has a person grown inside of her body. Ask questions, be curious but responding like she does not know what she is talking about is off limits. She cannot be responsible for her actions at this point. Continue reading »

Who loves ya?

Valentine’s Day is looming — what once was a  lonely holiday as a single women, morphed into a “who cares” holiday as a married women and now has turned back into this lovey-dovey cutesy holiday as a mom. Who doesn’t love hearts and lace and chocolate candy and little smiles from your child, right? Continue reading »