Search Results for: blog watch your words

Does Your Kid Fake Bake?

Hi.  My name is Michele and I am a tanaholic. I’ve suffered with tanorexia for decades, thanks in large part to being born and raised in Hawaii. Thirty plus years and countless sunburns later I can only hope that my daughter doesn’t end up suffering from the same condition. Living in northern Wisconsin she has a good chance of escaping the same fate as her mother.  Then again, she could end up just like me if she gets hooked on reality television beauty shows. According to a new study, college students who watch reality beauty shows are at least twice … Continue reading →

State Farm Warns You To Watch Out for “Smishing”

State Farm Insurance is warning people to watch out for scams that may be sent to your smartphone. It’s called “smishing”. State Farm has tips for what to do, and what not to do, if your discover that your smartphone has been hit with this type of scam. Many of us adore our smartphones. Whether it is an Android phone, or an iPhone, it is something that many people cannot do without. Just how often do Americans use their smartphones? The Pew Research and American Life Project found that mobile phone users send and receive, on average, about 40 text … Continue reading →

Watch Out for the “Up to” Sales

“All Toys on Sale up to 50 percent off!” “Save up to 70 percent off on all clearance sweaters!” “Going Out of Business! All books are up to 90 percent off!” These are some of the most recent sale signs that I have seen on store windows this holiday season. Are the desperate retail stores trying to unload as much as they can before Christmas, giving you the rock bottom deals while they still can? Well, yes and no. There is truth in advertising and then there is truth in advertising. The “up to” sales work well for the stores. … Continue reading →

Helping Your Toddler Become A Problem Solver

Did you know that one of the best tools that you can give your toddler is the ability to solve problems for himself or herself? It can be frustrating to watch your little boy or girl struggle with something like getting his or her shirt on, or finding the right place for the puzzle piece to fit in. Many of us are quick to rush to the rescue, to help our little one “get it right” either to ease his frustration, or to get her out the door in time. If we are able to step back a little bit … Continue reading →

Don’t Let The Media Parent Your Children

Sometimes I let Hailey watch too much TV. It’s an easy habit to fall into, especially when you are a single parent and there are so many things to do. You plop your child in front of the television, just for a few minutes so you can get something done and a habit is started. All the media in our children s lives is like another influence in the house. Our children are bombarded with messages and even if we are diligent about what they watch they may still see things that go against our values. Many shows that you … Continue reading →

What You Shouldn’t Say to Your Husband

“Woman’s Day” recently published an article about the nine things you should never say to your husband. First on the list was lying about your experience during sexual intimacy. That is a big no-no. The second is to tell them that they are just like their father. The third is asking when they are going to find a new job. The fourth is bringing up how your mother had warned you about something your husband would do. The fifth is telling your husband that you will do it yourself, when it comes to a task or chore…in other words, acting … Continue reading →

Words and Body Language

In marriage it’s important to watch our body language as well as our words. In a recent article a writer friend shared an example where a husband put his wife down in front of others. After being complimented by friends for the meal and commented that like her mother she was a good cook, the woman’s husband replied ‘Yes, it’s always important to take a good look at your girlfriend’s mother before proposing.’ The comment sounds relatively innocuous. It might even have been taken as a compliment, except for the body language that accompanied the comment. The rolling eyes, the … Continue reading →

Do You Allow Your Kids to Watch the News?

The other day a friend of mine sarcastically suggested that certain cable news shows should come with a PG-13 rating. If you have tweens or teens, you probably don’t do a lot of news censoring. However, if your kids are 12 or younger, you might be hesitant to allow your son or daughter to flip on CNN, MSNBC or Fox News without your permission, or more importantly, your presence in the room. Despite, or perhaps, because I spent nearly 10 years as a local TV news anchor/reporter, I never allow my 6-year-old to watch the evening news by herself. What’s … Continue reading →

Turning Your Child into a Self-Advocate

How does your child do when you turn her loose? In school, kids have to self-advocate. In fact, in all groups children have to self-advocate to a large degree, especially if you are not around all of the time. Self-advocacy is a good skill to learn, but it’s one that is hard for young children. In fact, it’s one of the reasons that I’m tentative about letting my daughter loose into the school system. She’ll have to navigate large groups of children on her own. As an introvert, she doesn’t have the natural inclination to introduce herself to many other … Continue reading →

Watch What You Say

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The first time I realized that I need to be careful about what I say in front of my kids was when my two year old said the word, crap. For me, it was like she said a swear word since that is about the worst word that I say. But, in reality, as parents, we should always be watching what we say in front of them. Especially now that my daughter is older, she is not only internalizing words I say, but complete ideas, thoughts, and overall feelings. Several months ago, my son was following his big sis around … Continue reading →