Find an Indoor Rock Climbing Venue for Your Kids - builds strength, endurance, and perseverance!

But TV is Such A Great Babysitter!

Every day I hope and pray that I am not the only Mother in the world who sometimes lets my child watch more TV than is recommended because I can get so many more things done. You know how playdates can be a somewhat "sitter" for your kid because they are occupied with another child so you can finish tons of tasks around the house.....well at least playtime with another child allows you to hope and maybe assume that some learning takes place. But with TV my daughter immediately becomes a zombie when a show comes on and she literally goes into "TV coma". I ask you - is that such a bad thing when I am working at my desk trying to maintain my website, pay the bills, make appointments, write an article, surf the net? I think not especially at the end of the summer when my daughter says "I am bored" ten too many times and school can not start quick enough. I vow to limit my child's TV watching on most days...but every once in a while a Mom has got to get things done. Right? Click on the title to get a reminder from the Mayo Clinic on the do's and don'ts of television for your kids.

"I Can't Keep This Game Out of MY Mouth"

My daughter loves to play games and especially likes card games. She plays solitaire, war, go fish with Grammy all the time. I believe her batting average is about 500 (Grammy is pretty good but when she plays with me her average is 1000!). Today she was playing a new card game with her Aunt Mo. As a 7 year old she seems to have a difficult time not revealing what cards she has...whenever she had a good hand she cannot keep her silence. Aunt Mo kept telling her to keep her hand a secret so she could have a better chance of winning. On this particular day after numerous reminders to keep her cards to herself she blurted out, "I can't keep this game out of my mouth"! No understatement there....

This is How Young Kids Learn to Ride a Bike!! Check it out on MYKIDSACTIVE.COM today...

Boy I Forgot How Fun Swinging Was....!

 I remember when I was about the age of my 7 year old that we would swing for hours and hours.  I had a neighbor that had this really cool swing set and we would see who could get the highest.  More than one time I remember thinking that I could absolutely swing so high that you would go all the way over and do a 360.  When you got really close the swing would jolt you back to reality and the belief that you could go all the way over disappeared.....til the next day.  My daughter reminded me of that fond memory the other day as she enjoyed a friend's backyard swing.  Watch as she leans her head all the way back.....now that is the way to do it baby!

Back to School Already.....

Once my daughter knows who her teacher is going to be for the new school year she seems to relax about going back to school.  Our biggest issue is the getting up early.  We TRY to start going to bed earlier a couple weeks before school starts but changing from staying up late and sleeping in is really tough!  Sometimes kids get nervous about new teachers...new friends.....maybe new school.  Click on the title to get some parenting tips on making the transition easier for your children and easier for you.

Mom You Are a Really Good Driver!!!

Sports and Kids = the Need for Healthy Food and Drink

 Healthy food and drink are essential for growing kids....add sports and a parent really needs to plan meals and snacks to ensure athletes get the energy they need to compete.  Click on title for ideas!

Keeping Kids Active is Simple....Not

Keeping your kids active always seems so simple when you read a article with tips on an active lifestyle...why then is it harder than you think?  For me it is specifically based upon my level of activity - if I am motivated to be active and consistent with it....my daughter is too!  Simple concept...not so simple to follow through on!  Develop a plan for yourself and before you know it......your children will be following in your footsteps.

I Love It Hereeeeeee!

I have been taking an annual vacation to Sebago Lake, Maine for over 40 years.....since I was a very young child. So as parents do I am trying to pass on the tradition to my daughter. She was three years old the first time she saw Sebago Lake. She loved to swim in the lake which of course meant that I would go in the lake over and over each day (when I was young we would literally play in the lake for 6 hours at a time so I understand the draw but am just old enough to not really need that much time in the water anymore!). Boat rides, jetskiing, canoeing, lots of fishing, picking blueberries on the little island across from our camp, and finally being able to swim out to the float....all things that my daughter at 7 years old has experienced. My best memory of those 40 years has always been when we get into Maine and we get close to Segabo Lake we drive over White's Bridge and see the lake for the first time - absolutely the best! But this year when we drove over the bridge my daughter proclaimed..."Mom I love it hereeeeee"....I knew I had a new favorite memory.

No Smoking Please

An active lifestyle at an early age can help kids stay away from the "unhealthy lifestyle" of smoking as they get older! Click on the title for some ideas of how to keep your child from starting a very addictive and life-threatening habit.