Posts filed under 'parenting'
Since retiring from the Mom Appeal blog last year, Jessica has been working to grow the Virtual Assistance practice that she started in 2005. Virtual assistance is a administrative assistance business model where the Virtual Assistant (VA) works with clients remotely from a home based office. She said she loves working from home and doing work she LOVES!
Jessica will be teaching a minicourse at the UW this February and April called “Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant” where she will explain the ins and outs of the business, demonstrate various technology commonly used to work remotely and offer tips for taking steps toward starting your own Virtual Assistance practice. Information about the class can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/5eexh9
Jessica also writes a weekly newsletter called “The VA Courier” which is geared toward informing people about the Virtual Assistance industry and hopefully sparking an interest with readers to consider the career for themselves. You can sign up to receive the free newsletter at Jessica’s web site: www.jessicamaes.com
Way to go Jessica!!
Mama Jen
December 1st, 2008
The debate over the safety of BPA continues to rage on. As parents — and consumers in general — we are concerned. My husband and I recently cut out our family’s favorite beverage — Klarbrunn sparkling water, in the can — because the cans have an epoxy liner that contains BPA, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. (Klarbrunn’s plastic bottles are make of PET, according to the same spokesperson, and do not contain BPA.)
Anyone concerned about the subject should read the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s compelling investigative special reports and editorials on BPA, published this fall, including one estimating amountsof BPA a child could ingest daily due to leaching from conatiners.
Here’s other food for thought to entice you to read up on the subject. According a November 17, 2008, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article by Meg Kissinger:
“BPA, used to make baby bottles and the lining of metal food cans, including those containing infant formula, is tied to reproductive failures, breast cancer risk, diabetes and heart disease. A study last month found that it interferes with chemotherapy for breast cancer patients.”
“In addition to Congress, 13 states have proposed bans on BPA. Wisconsin is not one of them. But State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) said Monday that she is preparing legislation to ban BPA from children’s products in Wisconsin.”
Hooray.
Please read the articles for more details.
— Mama Kate
November 20th, 2008
A lot of us feel like Alexander these days, and with all of us focusing on the economy lately, you may find your kids asking what all this money talk is anyway. They learned from an early age that it is needed to obtain objects of desire etc, but how can you get them to learn the concept of value and beginning money management?
There are a number of books on the market that might help: The Go Around Dollar which helps explain paper money, Alexander Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday which explains how money-management can play a role in how much or how little money you have, and Lemonade For Sale which helps explain the concept of earning.
To help your kids learn the importance of helping others, there is a slick website called MarkMakers, where, after you purchase a gift card for your child (or have them buy one) to use, he/she can go “shopping” for what causes he/she would like to donate towards. The site is interactive so that the concept is a little more “tactile” for learning minds. You move about to different areas of concern and decide how you would like to help. This site is so amazing, and really will help your child learn about people or causes in need of their help. You absolutely must check this out for yourself!
Another opportunity to learn about giving back is through www.volunteermatch.org . Find a charity and find out if you are welcome to bring your child along with you. Some organizations don’t allow you to bring your children while volunteering (mostly for insurance purposes) but I believe Meals on Wheels does. This would be a way to help your child learn empowerment and how they themselves offer value to others…
Cha-ching!
Mama Jen
October 22nd, 2008
My husband and I have been spoiled with the most amazing cousin who lived in town and was available to watch and love our daughter when we needed to get out on a date or run errands etc…we were so happy for her graduation and subsequent move out of town, but then there we were…no babysitter to call…
I found a few here and there, but nobody has been reliable, or near like our Anna—those of you with amazing people who watch your children will know what I mean…the bar has been raised!
Now, how do I go about finding this person since my informal searches have left me frustrated and feeling like I will never find one…I’ve come home from a date night only to be up cleaning for two hours after a baking experiment occurred in my kitchen, had no-shows, found my daughter up and running around at 10:30, people who are impossible to reach or inspire a call back from…fun…lots of fun.
Enter Babysitter Connections from Tiffany Kinder, who also runs the phenomenal Nanny Connections . Nanny Connections is a must stop if you are looking to get in touch with outstanding, pre-screened nannies , but I had no idea there was this amazing Babysitter Connections available to those of us who need a sitter, but not a more fully scheduled nanny. By the way, I have met one of the nannies who came from Nanny Connections since she works for my friend. I didn’t know that she was the nanny for a while because I thought she was a family member! That is how unbelievable she is!
So I decided to give Babysitter Connections a whirl!
There is a small fee required to access information on available sitters that includes their reference contact information, picture, personal contact information, background check, wage desired, experience and little bio.
Wooohooo! Unbelievable…I am babysitter shopping!! I have heard back from most of the girls I have emailed this week and will begin some face-to-face meetings tomorrow. I am giddy over the fact that I may have someone I can call, rely upon, and trust with my little one soon. Thank you Babysitter Connections for such a phenomenal service for Wisconsin and what looks like is beginning to reach out farther than that!!
Feel free to take a peek before you sign up. You can see which sitters are in your area and/or are available at a specific time prior to joining. You just don’t have their contact information until you pay the small fee to have access. Helping parents be successful in their sitter hunt??? Now, that has MomAppeal!!!
Whichever you are looking for, Babysitter Connections and Nanny Connections are sure to give you a HUGE leg up!!!!!
Mama Jen
July 24th, 2008
The most important skin cream you can use is SUNSCREEN! The sunny time of year is here or approaching, depending where you live, and the Environmental Working Group conducted the first-ever study on the efficacy and safety of sunscreens out on the market.. Those found to be effective and safe might as well be considered samples from the “Fountain of Youth.”
EWG stepped up because, “After 29 years of debate, the government has failed to set mandatory sunscreen safety standards. In August 2007 FDA proposed first-ever UVA standards for sunscreen, but the rules are not yet finalized. In the meantime, companies are free to make claims about product quality.” Scary!
To see how your sunscreen stacks up, which is healthiest and most effective, visit EWG’s Skin Deep. While you’re there, check out any of your products for their safety as well as this handy-dandy parents’ buying guide. Parenthood is so busy that it is wonderful that this site has sussed out the good, bad and the ugly for us! I love this site!
Mama Jen
April 21st, 2008
Two products I have come across look like great ways to dial-up safety measures in your home.
Hot Stop has faucet, shower head, and shower-head/faucet combos to protect your family from scalding hot water. You can turn your water heater to a setting below 120 degrees F, but that isn’t a sure-fire way of knowing how hot your water can get. These products , that were featured on the Today Show will cease the flow of water in the event that it reaches an unsafe temperature. I found a link to a horrible tragedy I heard of in the last two weeks, and surprisingly it occurs more frequently than we think.
Definitely check your water heater’s thermostat, manual, and look into installing these devices in your home. If you are currently building, you can request that safety units be installed “behind the scenes.”
I also received a link recently to this video which shocked me out of my socks! Every parent should see this video— Most kids don’t wake for fire alarms!
They will, however, respond quickly to fire alarms that use the voice of their parent to deliver the warning. I found some of these types of alarms at Amazon and a price comparison at Nextag where you can record the more effective “familiar voice.” Pricey, but safety and piece of mind are invaluable! I am sure after more looking, deals on these items can be found. Just make sure it allows you to record your own voice. For a more formal study on this phenomenon, here is a Pediatric study that was published on the matter as well.
Feel free to leave a comment with your safety tips!
Mama Jen
April 14th, 2008
Shannon Payette Seip and Adrienne Hedger couldn’t have phrased it better when using that line to title their hilarious book about breastfeeding.
When If These Boobs Could Talk landed into my hands, I opened it to take a peek, thinking I would read it in a bit, and….I couldn’t put it down. If you are breastfeeding, are going to breastfeed, or have breastfed your children, every page will speak to you like your ultra-funny girlfriend and have you laughing out-loud!
I love how the book starts with a nice little letter for you to read to your boobs before your baby is born because “it’s only fair to warn your boobs about the changes ahead.” At the end of the book, it suggests ways you can have a “Boob Retirement Party” once your foray into breastfeeding is over—–invite your breast pump and create a slideshow to the tune ”I’ve Had the Time of My Life”…..heeheeee!
The book has side-splitting and inventive illustrations such as ”The Ideal Rocker,” which is a rocking chair set up for the many hours you will need to breastfeed. It thoughtfully includes a button you can push to convert it to a toilet in emergencies amongst other wonderful things I wish my rocker had!
This book is a great, easy read with advice on how to console a rejected breast, alternative uses for nursing pads, reminders of your breast’s super powers and how to find your inner hottie while you feel like a dairy cow.
There are also quizzes like “Who hasn’t seen your boobs?”, great doodling activities, games and trivia to pump yourself up with!
This book is the perfect shower gift, gift to a new mom, or gift to your own breastfeeding self. We all know that laughter is something we most need when we’re up for a late night feeding!
By the way, the book is sized nice and small—perfect for your one free hand to hold and read while your baby feeds!
Mama Jen
April 3rd, 2008
Recently, I was reading a forum where lots of moms were praising something called a “Balance Bike.” I had no idea what it was, so I HAD to look into it.
Balance bikes are an alternative to the use of training wheels for the beginner cyclist. The balance bikes supposedly allow your child to transition to a full-on bike more easily and quickly than if they had started out using training wheels. That’s because the hardest part—balance—will have been learned.
In my searching I came across an aptly named balance bike company called SKUUT. Scoot is what you can do on these things while your body learns to balance the bike. You can walk them, ride them, “skuut” them or glide them. Definitely something to check out.
Check out the Skuut website or call your local bike shop to see if they have balance bikes for you to look at. Very Interesting!
Mama Jen
March 31st, 2008
The two most amazing nursing cover-ups I have seen are below—Hooter Hiders and Amuse Me cover-ups.
Hooter Hiders are chic little nursing cover-ups that help you stay modest while still being a fashionista—all while nursing your baby. The name is so cute and the fabrics are luxurious and modern.
Amuse Me gives your babies flailing hands that have the tendancy to throw nursing covers off, something to do. There are soft ribbons on the inside where baby’s hands can reach, explore and stay busy. This is such a great idea! The patterns are beautiful and THOSE INTERIOR RIBBONS!!!
Mama Jen
March 27th, 2008
If you are interested in teaching your child yoga, Little Yoga: A Toddler’s First Book of Yoga is a great place to start.
Full of colorful illustrations of beginner poses and whimsical text, you can both take a much needed breather and practice yoga together. (This works great especially if your child was more interested in taking props from other little yogis while in yoga class…not my daughter of course)
Watch for the DVD to come out—Gwyneth Paltrow will be doing the commentary since she loves the book for her children. Currently, the book is available at most book stores including Amazon, Borders, and Barnes and Noble.
Namaste!
Mama Jen
March 20th, 2008
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