Returning to work once kids are teens

The youngest child has turned 13. Perhaps it’s time to get a job. After all, they don’t need or want your constant attention. They can be left home alone for hours on end without getting in or causing trouble. It’s definitely time to go back to work. The kids are old enough to fend for themselves. Not so fast. While teens are old enough to give themselves basic care, they are hardly ready to be on their own. They might look like adults, but the teen years are hardly the years be run a household, care for younger siblings, and … Continue reading

Does Your Child Have a Cellphone?

According to the Center on Media and Child Health, 54 percent of 8- to 12-year-olds will have a cell phone in the next three years. So by 2011 more tweens will have cellphones than they will dictionaries, calculators or any other handheld device—-electronic or otherwise. Scary. Is life really unimaginable without these handy devices? For some parents the answer is a wholehearted: “Yes!” A recent survey found that most parents who bought their kids cellphones say they did so for “convenience” and “safety” reasons. In fact, some parents revealed that the allure of GPS tracking capability inspired them to purchase … Continue reading

Ask the Blogger: Magnets and Computers

I recently received the following question from a reader. “I want to dispose of my computer, but I am worried that someone might be able to find my personal information on the computer if I donate it or throw it out. I heard that sticking a magnet on the hard drive will erase any data. Is this true?” Dear Reader, While it is true that magnets can be used to erase a hard drive, just any old household magnet won’t do the job. The only magnets that are powerful enough for such a task as usually found in laboratories or … Continue reading

Does God Want us to Be Healthy, Wealthy and Wise? – Part 2

Job was one Old Testament example of someone who, despite being godly, experienced great suffering and lost his health and wealth. Today I’m going to look at a New Testament example – that of the apostle Paul. No-one would deny Paul was a godly man greatly used by God, as he spread the gospel message to the Gentiles. But did God bless him with good health, and wealth? A look at several passages will reveal the answer to this. Could anyone say because he was God’s servant Paul got everything easy? Have a look at 2 Corinthians 11:24-33. This shows … Continue reading

The Marriage Blog Week in Review for September 17-23

After a bit of a hiatus, the Marriage Blog Week in Review is back! Karri and I will be taking turns posting it. As you might have surmised, this is my week to do it. So without further ado, here’s what we covered on: Monday, September 17 Karri pondered the connection (or lack thereof as the case may be) between husbands and household chores. I detailed how Wayne and I celebrated our 12th anniversary and how happy Wii be. Tuesday, September 18 I shared my single fantasy, the reality of which I’m sort of living and there isn’t much fantastic … Continue reading

Is it Wise to Have Everything at Once?

When I say “everything” I’m not talking about material things, I’m talking about celebratory events. Birthdays, anniversaries, that sort of thing. Case in Point September is a big month for Wayne and I. • Wayne’s birthday is September 7th • My birthday is September 14th • Our wedding anniversary is September 16th • Murphy’s birthday (well, the day we got him) is September 23rd How’d You Manage That? Let me tell you, it was a complete fluke. All except for our anniversary. If we’d thought more about it, we might have picked a different day. As it was, we held … Continue reading

Wildfire Evacuation Plan: When you have some warning.

In the last blog I wrote about the things we need to do if an evacuation is ordered and you must leave now. Sometimes, especially with wild fires, local officials may not advise an immediate evacuation but warn areas that an evacuation may happen because there’s a chance things may get worse. When you are asked to Stand By for an evacuation, consider this time valuable and take steps to protect your home and family. Protecting your house: Bring everything inside, including: Patio furniture, garbage cans, the kid’s toys, gardening equipment, hanging plants, and all the other things that may … Continue reading

Once Upon A Mattress (2005)

We’re all familiar with the story of the princess and the pea. With “Once Upon a Mattress,” Disney takes the fairy tale and gives it a whole new twist in a film made for television. Queen Aggravain (Carol Burnett) is a loving, doting mother. She only wants what’s best for her son, Prince Dauntless (Denis O’Hare) and that includes the very best wife. Therefore, every princess in the land must go through a test to see if they really are a true princess, otherwise they cannot hope to marry her son. The tests are ludicrous, but that’s sort of the … Continue reading

It Is All About Saving Not Sacrificing

I had a bit of a let down this week. My kids have been wanting a certain piece of furniture, one of those Love Sac things that is part chair and part trampoline. Their cousins have one, as do a number of their friends. So, we dutifully went over to the mall to check them out and had some serious sticker shock. The sacs cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 each. Okay, that item was off the list. Every once in a while I check online to see if any used ones come up for sale. One did today, but … Continue reading

The ABCs of ASDs

Has your child recently been diagnosed as having autism? Parents can find the jargon and abbreviations that are used by teachers and staff in a Special Education program to be confusing and overwhelming. Here is a quick list of definitions that make everything much clearer. Think of it as the ABCs of autism in a school environment. ABA: Applied Behavior Analysis It is a scientifically validated approach to understanding behavior and how it is affected by environment. This therapy can help children who have autism to pick up on the social cues that their peers, who do not have autism, … Continue reading