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Have a Strong View on Corporal Punishment?

January 25, 2008 | 1 Comment

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Massachusetts recently considered a proposal to ban spanking, even in the home.  How do you feel on the subject? 

A local TV station is doing a story on corporal punishment and is looking for parents’ views on the subject.  If you are interested in speaking with the reporter, email me at terri@lifepluskids.com.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, General Parenting Items 

Adopt-an-Elf Holiday Idea

December 11, 2007 | 2 Comments

Update:  Designmom has posted about a similar concept called Elf on a Shelf. 

Dee, a friend and local mom, has started a new holiday tradition based on www.elf-magic.com where you can “adopt” an elf from the North Pole. 

First, she had her second grader write a letter to Santa asking to adopt an elf and promising to take care of it.    

Then, to prepare for the elf’s arrival, she purchased some Insta-Snow at the Learning Oasis (next to Tuesday Morning & Hobby Lobby in Fayetteville). You can learn about Insta-Snow at www.beamazing.com (just search for ”snow”).   She added clear glitter to the snow to make it appear magical and sparkle (the snow still grows when you add water, even with the glitter). 

Dee packaged an elf she had purchased in a box addressed to her son from the North Pole.  I will let Dee tell you the other creative things she has done:

Here is how our elf arrived:  when we checked out to purchase our real Christmas tree, the lady taking our money called out my son’s first name.  Then she went to her trailer and retrieved a package that came straight from the North Pole addressed to my son.  He had a pretty good idea that it was the elf that he had written Santa about asking if he could adopt the elf until Christmas and promising he would take care of it and clean up after it — I had heard they can be pretty mischievous. 

So far, the elf has come to life after we’re all asleep and made some pretty big messes.  The first night, he climbed in the Christmas tree where we found him the next morning and then he wrote on the boy’s bathroom mirror with toothpaste and last night he built a mountain out of potatoes on the kitchen
floor!  
   
The elf had an envelope with him telling us his name and providing Magic North Pole snow.  The envelope had directions telling us how to mix it, but before we could get it mixed up (I made the kids wait until bedtime), all the letters including the instructions on the envelope magically disappeared!  And the magic snow that we had spilled out while opening the elf package magically doubled in size.
   
I have heard the elves arrive in different forms, via ups, the mail or just
appearing on kitchen counters everywhere so long as you leave out crackers and water to attract them.  Our son leaves notes for the elf at night and so far, the elf has written answers to the questions.  We have learned our elf is 247 years old, his favorite sport is snow boarding, and he has been adopted by many kids around the world.  He’s still young for North Pole standards, so he’ll probably be allowed to return to our home every year until the kids grow too old to have an elf.

Do you have any creative holiday traditions in your family?  If so, add them to the comments or email me at terri@lifepluskids.com

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, General Parenting Items 

Kids Talk News

October 24, 2007 | 1 Comment

I just learned about an excellent column on child developmental issues called Kids Talk News.  The author, Maren Schmidt, presents sound advice on issues all families will face.  It is definitely a site worth book marking.  I have already found several ideas I will use. 

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under General Parenting Items 

Blog Links for a Lazy Labor Day

September 3, 2007 | 1 Comment

  1. Storynory - a collection of podcasts of adorable children’s stories.  A new story is added each week.  Listen online or download them for FREE to your MP3 player.  We are currently listening to Jack and the Pirate School.
  2. Snack Planner — I have a terrible time coming up with healthy snacks my kids will eat.  This snack planner by Whole Foods gives excellent snack ideas in a convenient calendar format.
  3. It’s a Big World — I love this CD with lullabies even you will enjoy.
  4. The Sneaky Chef:  Hiding Healthy Foods in Kid’s Favorite Meals — more help for getting healthy meals on the table.
  5. Wall Decals by Mimi’lou  — look at these adorable wall decals.  They would be perfect for a child’s playroom or bedroom.
  6. What to do with your Favorite Photos — ideas for all your family photos.
  7. Millionaire Women Next Door — The book includes profiles of women who run their household as a business with excellent returns.
  8. Live Well for Less — Here’s a bibliography of resources for living frugally.
  9. 101 Simple Meals Ready in 10 Minutes or Less — From the New York Times.
  10. Tadpole iPod Protector  — kid proof your iPod.  Very cool.
  11. Downloadable Birthday Party Games for your Tween — creative party games you download for a fee.

Enjoy your Labor Day!!

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under General Parenting Items 

A few links . . .

July 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under General Parenting Items 

Fair Play for Recess

March 29, 2007 | 1 Comment

Currently, Fayetteville elementary school students have one fifteen minute recess each day, and PE twice a week.  Local parents Dan and Julia Kennefick believe the school day should include more recess time, and have started a group called Fair Play for Recess to bring awareness to the issue.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under General Parenting Items 

Dadlabs.com — a Website for Dads

March 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment

To all my readers who are dads, this site’s for you.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under General Parenting Items 

A Few Kid Craft Links

March 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Looking for some new kid craft ideas?  Here are a few links that might help:

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under General Parenting Items