Tweens and Heading Back to School

September 20, 2011 by The Motherhood

Tween Academy, sponsored by Unilever and Don’t Fret the Sweat, is now in session! On September 20, 2011, moms flocked to the first class on TheMotherhood to share advice and anecdotes for starting the new school year with tweens.

That back-to-school transition can be tough for everyone in the family, but especially for tweens, who are also experiencing emotional and physical changes. That’s why it’s important for your tween to know that you will be there to help them through issues with schoolwork, friends and all the other sweat-inducing moments they might encounter.

Rosalind Wiseman, parenting expert and New York Times bestselling author of Queen Bees and Wannabes, led the class with help from six blogger co-hosts. (In addition to counseling real moms through Tween Academy, Rosalind has scheduled upcoming TV appearances with Anderson Cooper and Dr. Phil.)

Moms were thrilled to have a place to discuss the tricky tween years – a topic that hasn’t often been addressed elsewhere. “There is a lot of focus on the teens and toddlers, but tweens is a tough age that deserves more focus,” said Stephanie at And Twins Make 5.

To be part of an ongoing discussion, you can visit Don’t Fret the Sweat on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/DontFretTheSweat

Starting the School Year

“I wanted to start out with what I think are the essentials for any mom with children who are a couple of weeks into the new school year,” Rosalind Wiseman said to kick off the conversation. Here is her advice:

1. 2 cans of foot/shoe odor spray. One for your front door and one for the back. If you’re like me, sometimes when you walk into your house you are assaulted by this really bad smell and it gets you into bad mood. Then you look down to see your children’s shoes. Having a can to spray at those shoes (and worse, socks) really makes me feel better.

2. By the second week of October, all moms should have scheduled a dinner or drinks with their friends as a mom only night out. Mine is scheduled for the 22nd but I have to be out of town working. Rest assured though, my friends will go out and have a good time on my behalf.

3. Pads of paper placed throughout the house so when your child tells you why they didn’t do their homework or why they didn’t deserve to get into trouble you can write down the details of their version of events. This is helpful when you can barely remember what your child said when you try to explain to your spouse or to the teacher later. Bottom line is we have to be informed and it’s too easy to forget what happens in a day.

Helping Tweens Handle Sweat-Inducing Moments

Be encouraging and excited. As your child gets into the swing of the school year, there will be opportunities to make new friends, join a sport or club, and/or start new classes. Talk to your tween about what they are looking forward to most this school year. If they seem a little shy or nervous, find ways to encourage them and help boost their confidence.

Help them juggle the day-to-day stress. Close to 70 percent of 8- to 12-year-olds admit homework is a stressful part of their day, while others have anxiety about classes (42 percent). Help your tween combat these sweat-inducing moments by creating a study space and helping them stay organized.

Dress your tween for success. Sprucing up with a new outfit, taking some extra time for grooming and practicing a nice smile can help your tweens feel more confident as they tackle the school year.

Encouraging Tweens to Self-Advocate in School

“I struggle with my daughter being afraid to use her ‘voice’ at school. She gets very shy and it’s such an opposite trait from her at home persona,” said Stephanie at And Twins Make 5.

Connie at Brain Foggles, whose daughter has similar difficulties speaking up for herself, offered a suggestion: “We are working with her teachers and a counselor. This isn’t a new problem for her. Perhaps bring it up to the guidance counselor?”

Remaining positive and encouraging self-esteem will pay dividends in the long run. To chat more about tweens and building self-esteem, come back for a Tween Academy class on that topic at noon ET on October 11: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62267

Making Friends

Having friends is a big part of social confidence, and for kids transitioning to a new school, finding friends can be difficult – especially for those who are shy or don’t enjoy sports. The group had a few ideas for non-athletic extracurriculars where kids might meet new friends.

Jennifer at Mom Spotted suggested “Boy Scouts, band, swim lessons,” and Liz at Thoughts of a Mommy came up with “The Y, community centers and church.”

Emily at TheMotherhood said, “Maybe a new sport that doesn’t have a competitive side, like rock climbing or fencing? Or are there Middle School clubs he might like? Our school has started a Friday afternoon movie screening to give the kids a chance to watch and talk about it afterward. So far, it seems like a big hit, especially with the shy ones.”

“Our library has a book club for fathers/sons and a chess club and some other activities that are good for kids and gets them out there, but not in a sports/competitive way,” added Brandie.

Aside from making friends, your tweens might also have to navigate the waters of being teased or bullied as an outsider.

Dealing with Mean Girls (and Boys)

Every school has bullies, and it’s tough when your kid is the one being picked on.

“We went through a mean girl phase in 3rd grade – it was just awful. Usually if the mean kids see that it doesn’t bother you, they will stop their teasing. They do it to get a rise out of you. Don’t let them,” suggested temysmom.

Added Connie, Brain Foggles, “And if it gets bad, get the school involved.”

Rosalind Wiseman encouraged moms to ask their child to articulate exactly what the problem is. “Kids needs skills to know how to handle mean kids … depending on the situation, you decide from there what you do. Tell the teacher, she talks to the girl, etc.”

“My daughter just started in a program called ‘Girls on the Run.’ It’s great. It teaches girls respect, teamwork, positive thinking and other good values, while building body confidence as they train to run a 5K,” said Becki. “I think it’s available to girls in 3rd grade and up. If there’s a chapter near you, maybe your daughter could get involved.”

Communication is essential – make sure your tweens know they can come to you with problems. “If it isn’t a social issue causing our kids to be depressed it is grades, looks … there are so many more things that kids have to deal with today,” said Connie at Brain Foggles.

“I think many kids don’t feel they can talk to their parents about school issues… or any issues for that matter. Communication with your tweens is SO important,” said temysmom.

We will be discussing Tweens and Communication in TheMotherhood on October 4 at noon ET as part of our Tween Academy classes: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62266

Rosalind Wiseman created this Anti-Bullying Pledge and an accompanying Facebook page that you can take a look at if you would like to learn more about stopping bullies.

Tweens Online

Bullying and social interaction don’t start and end at school anymore. With Facebook and text messaging, tweens have constant access to their friends and peers, and it is important to encourage them to be responsible and mindful about their communications.

“We are constantly discussing how once a text or FB post is ‘out there’ it is out there’ for good,” said LisaSp11 of conversations with her daughter. “It is a tough lesson to teach, but with constant monitoring and reminding, I think she has been doing a pretty good job of navigating so far.”

And mean girl issues can stretch from real life to the Internet. “My daughter is not on FB but has a twitter and I check her texts. I do try to keep her out of that mean girl, mean talk chatter! It’s tough when friends are trying to pull you in different directions,” said msrachee.

As Kayla S summed it up, “Someday tweens will learn that they bring the drama on sometimes and that they need to change their attitude. It stinks not being able to tell them what to do because you already know, but it’s part of life!”

In addition to learning how to relate to peers and deal with negative situations, both in reality and online, part of life is taking responsibility for their own actions, remembering the work they need to do, and so on.

Staying Organized

When it comes to staying organized, Rosalind Wiseman said, “This is such an important topic because they are right at the age where they need to take on more responsibility for their homework, what they need for the school day, their personal hygiene.”

Rosalind handles her tweens and organization with a few simple steps:

1. Clothes/Appearance: I am washing their clothes but they have to put it away. Yes, it’s a mess (shorts are where shirts are supposed to be) but they have to do it. I am also having them do their laundry with me too. They have to be in clean clothes.

2. If they forget something like the shoes they need for a game, they have a two-limit allowance where I will take these things to school. After that, I will not bring the forgotten item to school.

It’s a tough lesson, but it needs to be taught, others agreed. “In the long run, you have to occasionally refuse to save them. It’s a life lesson that is hard for me to give them but good for them long term,” said Stephanie at And Twins Make 5.

But you can help your kids ease into remembering things on their own. “We use a white board [for reminders]. Actually two – one in the bathroom and one in bedroom. So far, so good,” said Connie at Brain Foggles.

3. Deodorant. I don’t know about you all but my almost 11-year-old is seriously having BO issues. I am putting deodorant next to his toothbrush as a quiet reminder that he has to use it.

A number of parents lamented the fact that it’s so difficult to convince their tweens to take regular showers and wear deodorant. “It’s so tough to get my 13yo son to wear deodorant. I have to remind him often. And I feel for his teachers have to smell all those kids all day!” said Kelly Whalen.

For a more in-depth discussion on tweens and personal hygiene, join us for a Tween Academy class on September 28 at noon ET: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62265

Getting Homework Finished

Homework and time management plays a big part of being organized and taking responsibility in school.

All kids are different when it comes to homework. Some have no trouble buckling down and doing it, and some do everything they can to resist. How to convince the procrastinator to get the work finished?

“There has to be a consequence – [take away] something that matters to her” or him until the work is accomplished, said Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife.

Agreed Theresa at Faith and Family Reviews, “A loss of privilege or extra work can nip this in the bud, especially if you can outlast them … they will eventually ‘get it’ because they don’t want extra work or to lose a privilege.”

And just getting to the end of the assignment isn’t enough – make sure your child has put some brain power into it.

“They rush through it so fast. We recheck and make them go back to things they missed,” said Mary Davis. “No TV, computer ‘til it’s done right.”

“There was a great link on Parent Hacks about a Back to School Contract,” said Cooper at TheMotherhood. “We actually did this and it WORKS!”

Working with Teachers

Teachers are not one-size-fits-all, and sometimes that can pose a problem for your child and your family.

“Last year my son didn’t like his teacher at all. Honestly, we didn’t either, but you just have to try your best to make it work,” said Jennifer at Mom Spotted.

If your child has problems with a teacher, take them seriously, but give the teacher a chance to give his or her side of the issue. “That is the hard part … knowing if the kid is just complaining or the teacher really is being too hard on them,” said temysmom.

“I’ve taught my children to respect their elders and that includes teachers. Now if there’s something terrible going on, they can come to me, but it has to be abuse for me to do something,” said Connie, Brain Foggles.

And when kids don’t like a teacher, Stephanie at And Twins Make 5 has a silver lining: “It’s real life and they need to come to terms with the fact they will quite possibly have future authority figures they don’t love either. (Bosses, coaches, etc.) Learning to deal with it early in life can be a great lesson.”

Remember, teachers that kids perceive as mean might not be the enemy.

“My son thought his science teacher was mean. When I met her, I realized she’s not. But she is strict, and focused on helping the kids learn (as opposed to just do well on standardized tests),” said Becki. “Guess whose class my son is doing best in?”

If your child is having an issue with a teacher, Rosalind Wiseman advised, “You need to meet with the teacher and say, ‘My child came home and told me X; in your opinion is that accurate?’ You can tell the intent of the teacher from how they respond to that question. If they are an abusive teacher they will get defensive and attack your kid, if they have made a mistake they may be a little defensive but they’ll focus their comments on the well being of your child.”

You Are Your Child’s Mom, Not Friend

Liz at Thoughts of a Mommy summed up the one of the most important things to remember when it comes to raising tweens – as much as you might want to be the “cool” parent, it’s more important to be your child’s parent than his or her friend. “My motto, and I’m sure that many of you here think the same way: I am my son’s mother, not friend. He has plenty of friends but only one mom,” she said. “I am here when friends are not. NO MATTER WHAT!”

Thank you!!!

A BIG thanks to Rosalind Wiseman to lending her parenting expertise to our Tween Academy classes, and to Unilever for being our sponsor and making this all possible! Another thank-you to our fabulous blogger co-hosts:

Connie, Brain Foggles

Jennifer, Mom Spotted
Jo-Lynne, Musings of a Housewife
Liz, Thoughts of a Mommy

Stephanie, And Twins make 5!

Theresa, Faith and Family Reviews

Don’t Fret the Sweat on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/DontFretTheSweat

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62264

Morning Routines and Breakfast in America

September 8, 2011 by The Motherhood

On September 8, 2011, moms hungry for breakfast and conversation came to TheMotherhood for the third chat in the Kellogg Virtual Breakfast Series. Led via live video feed by Sarah Woodside, MS, RD and Nutrition Business Partner at Kellogg, the discussion explored back-to-school tips for establishing morning routines in light of Kellogg’s Breakfast in America survey findings.

“Our greatest inspiration behind these breakfast chats is that at Kellogg, we believe that great days start with great breakfasts,” said Sarah Woodside.

“I just feel so much better in the mornings when I make myself eat breakfast. That is why I want the girls to eat every morning so they will have a good day at school,” said Jennifer, One Mom’s World.

Breakfast in a Back-to-School World

We’re all dealing with the challenge of getting our kids to eat a nutritious breakfast as they rush out the door to school. And we all know that breakfast is important, but mornings are so busy with getting everyone ready to go.

A number of bloggers shared the morning routines that work for them.

“Be prepared,” advised Lori at La Vida Lori. “Have foods on hand for breakfast that are quick and easy to prepare, make sure the kitchen is clean the night before so you don’t have to deal with it when you’re trying to get breakfast together, and make lunches the night before.”

And it’s not just the kids who sacrifice breakfast on busy mornings!

“My problem? I always make sure my kids are fed. I am the one left hungry!” said Molly, A Day in Mollywood. For a solution, Sarah at Water, Water Everywhere suggested, “I keep a Special K bar in my purse for just those kind of days.”

Noted Maria, A Savings WOW, “I used to run around so much in the mornings trying to get the kids ready that I didn’t have time to eat breakfast myself, but this school year, I made it a point to get the kids up a half-hour earlier and to make sure that I took my shower and got myself ready before waking them up so that I could actually eat breakfast with them.”

Finding Variety in Breakfast Food

In addition to finding time for breakfast, there’s the ongoing issue of what to prepare – foods that will offer variety, nutrition and convenience on a daily basis.

“Cereal and milk are convenient, ready-to-serve/ready-to-eat breakfast options that people of all ages enjoy,” said Sarah Woodside. “Other breakfast choices might include hard-boiled eggs with whole grain toast and a glass of milk; whole grain crackers with peanut butter and a yogurt; a wedge of cantaloupe with cottage cheese and slice of whole grain cinnamon raisin toast.”

“My 14-month old has his favorites, but he’s pretty open to new things,” said Julie, MamaMash. “We’ve done toast with egg/cottage cheese/hummus. Or a chunk of cheese and some fruit, then some graham crackers. He’s always excited for pancakes!”

In the household of Emily, West of the Loop, cereal is king. “My husband is a total cereal guy. Remember how Jerry Seinfeld always had a huge selection of cereals in his cupboard on the show? That’s my husband. We always have five or six varieties going. Favorites include Special K w/ Red Berries and Rice Krispies,” she said.

“I make mini quiches in a muffin tin – eggs, veggies, sausage, anything,” said Donutsmama. “I then freeze them and pop them in the microwave to thaw out. You can eat them all week.”

“Definitely more protein is important … [which is] why I love eggs,” said Sarah at Water, Water Everywhere.

Julie at A Year with Mom and Dad agreed, “I think it’s important to have protein too – and a balance of healthy fats and some carbs for energy! Eggs are great!”

Leigh at Hines-Sight Blog strikes a balance: “I love cereal because I know my children are getting great vitamins and minerals. I also like to give them cheese or egg with it for protein,” she said.

If you’re really strapped for time and need something to grab and go, “some of our travel friendly options are apples, toast with peanut or almond butter and string cheese,” said Lisa, Mommyality.

Breakfast in America Survey Findings

“Recently, Kellogg sponsored one of the largest surveys ever conducted on breakfast and found surprising statistics about breakfast consumption, especially among kids,” said Sarah Woodside. Among those findings:

– We see that 77 percent of young children eat breakfast every day, but the number falls to 50 percent in the middle-school years and to only 36 percent among high school students

– Results show 54 percent of all adults would like to eat breakfast every day, but in reality only one-third (34 percent) actually do

– Research shows us that although 89 percent of moms want their kids to eat breakfast every day, 40 percent report that their child does not eat breakfast daily

“Both kids and adults need to eat something in the morning to refuel from sleep and refresh their energy levels for a productive day ahead,” Sarah emphasized.

Julie at A Year with Mom and Dad agreed, “As a former middle school teacher, I can’t stress enough how much it affects a child’s behavior and learning when they are not starting the day with breakfast (and a good one!).”

Know Your Family

From morning meltdowns to being too tired to eat, you can navigate any obstacles in your morning routine and breakfast menu by planning ahead.

Kayla S suggested keeping a “menu of choices for breakfast in the morning posted on the fridge” and having the kids pick what they want for breakfast the night before so you can be ready to make it in the morning.

In some cases, an earlier wake-up time might be key.

“I find that my child likes about 15 minutes to 30 minutes of awake time before sitting down to breakfast. I think that is crucial in our schedule, otherwise, my son does not eat as well if he sits down immediately for breakfast,” noted Leigh at Hines-Sight Blog.

Thank you!

“Thanks to Sarah Woodside for these helpful tips on breakfast nutrition! I appreciate that Kellogg is making the effort to help parents get their kids off to a good start every day,” said Emily, West of the Loop. “I am glad to have learned about how older kids don’t always get breakfast so I can be more prepared as my kids get older.”

Thank you to Kellogg for sponsoring the virtual breakfast, and thank you all for participating in the Talk! Our fabulous co-hosts are:

Emily, West of the Loop
Julie, A Year With Mom and Dad
Lori, La Vida Lori
Maria, A Savings Wow
Sarah, Water Water Everywhere
Julie, MamaMash
Molly, A Day in Mollywood
Leigh, Hines-Sight Blog
Jen, One Mom’s World
Lisa, Mommyality

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62256

Great Taste + Nutrition = School Lunches for Healthy Kids

August 31, 2011 by The Motherhood

On August 31, 2011, moms came to TheMotherhood to discuss school lunch nutrition and the ongoing nationwide debate about flavored milk in schools. Andrea Carrothers, MS, RD and Nutrition Communications Manager at Dean Foods, which sponsored the Talk and produces TruMoo chocolate milk made with all-natural ingredients and less sugar, led the conversation.

“Back-to-school is the perfect time to focus on nutrition and getting kids started with a healthy routine and start some new habits for the new school year,” Andrea told the group to kick off the chat.

“I think many moms struggle with healthy lunch ideas,” said Stefany, To Be Thode.

And Amy, The Finer Things in Life, said she was “excited to hear more about TruMoo” as a better chocolate milk option. “They are definitely taking steps in the right direction, with no HFCS and no artificial growth hormones. Every baby step helps!”

To learn more about healthier school lunch options and TruMoo, keep reading for the highlights or click the “Talk” button to read the entire conversation!

Replacing “Other” Flavored Milk with TruMoo

“Some of you have probably heard a lot about this debate going on at the local-PTA level. Some parents and schools are questioning whether flavored milk should be available to children because of the sugar content,” Andrea said.

However, according to Andrea, the absence of flavored milk in schools can cause milk and dairy consumption among kids to drop by as much as 40 percent. That’s a lot of critical nutrients that kids don’t get.

To combat the nutrition deficit from removing flavored milks altogether, “we really wanted to come up with a winning formula – something that moms could feel good about and schools could feel good about,” Andrea added.

TruMoo is available in both skim (fat-free) for schools, which meets the proposed USDA school nutrition guidelines, and 1% in retail and grocery locations. In addition to great taste, both varieties have great nutrition, providing all the 9 essential nutrients of white milk with only 10 grams of added sugars per serving.

“With so many peanut-free schools now, having the protein from milk is a good thing for many moms,” agreed Stefany, To Be Thode. “I can totally see how taking milk out of schools can create a problem with the milk consumption. My son gets one glass a day simply from school lunch!”

Kendra, Me and My Insanity, had a natural follow-up question: “Is TruMoo working on being a supplier for school lunches? And replacing the chocolate milk alternatives? If we wanted to suggest it to our schools, is there a way to do that?”

Andrea explained that “school milk contracts are almost always bid out annually in the spring and summer. Because TruMoo is made with fresh white milk at regional dairies, Dean Foods needs to have a nearby processing plant in order for us to consider responding to a bid. If you know TruMoo is available in grocery stores where you live but it’s not being served in your school, it’s likely because our local dairy didn’t win the school bid (or flavored milk has been banned from that school). While the bids of course may vary by region and by dairy, the cost is comparable with other milks. If you’d like to see TruMoo in your school, we’d encourage you to contact your school’s food service director or nutrition director to ask about TruMoo specifically.”

Healthier School Lunch Options

Finding portable, tasty, healthy food to send to school for your child’s lunch can be a tall order. Most of the conversation centered on bag lunches, as the participants’ kids ate school lunches infrequently.

“Our son is such a picky eater that we pack his lunch most days, which always includes a grain, a protein source and fruit,” said Cat, 3 Kids and Us.

“My son doesn’t like school lunch for the most part, but he isn’t a big eater anyway … but he will always drink the chocolate milk,” reported Lisa, Life with Lisa.

And Shannon, The Mommy Files, agreed, “My boys LOVED the TruMoo Chocolate Milk we received. They would love to add these to their lunches!”

A number of women had ideas for ways to use whole wheat tortillas in lunches.

“I make peanut butter and jelly rolls with the wraps and my 7 yo loves them,” said Lisa, Life with Lisa.

“The whole grain tortilla wraps with melted cheese – my kids loooove!” said Ruth.

“Yes, cheese roll-ups and quesadillas are great ways to get those grains in,” agreed Stefany, To Be Thode.

“My kids love peanut butter honey tortilla roll-ups. We also sometimes stick a banana in there or some apple slices. Raisins are good, too.” Amy, The Finer Things in Life.

“Great ideas, everyone! I like to make pizzas on pita bread. Pretty sure it comes in a whole grain variety, too,” added Kendra, Me and My Insanity.

In addition, “All kids love pasta, so switch to whole grain. I also mix brown rice with white,” suggested Jennifer, Savor the Thyme.

Getting Kids to Eat Fruits and Veggies

Putting a whole piece of fruit in a kid’s lunchbox often means that fruit makes its way into a trash can. Andrea suggests pre-slicing them so they’re bite-sized and easier to eat. Providing dips like hummus, yogurt or almond butter can also encourage kids to try healthier food items.

Fruit smoothies are another tasty option “to boost both dairy and fruit consumption in one great beverage,” said Andrea. “Kids can really customize that.”

“I always add a bit of kale or other greens to their smoothies” to get some vegetables in the mix, said Amy, Cajun Joie de Vivre. They don’t affect the taste of the smoothie.

“Smoothies are a favorite at our house,” agreed Amy, The Finer Things in Life. “Make them with frozen fruit and you don’t need any ice.” And you can put them in a thermos to keep them cold until lunchtime.

Cooking with Chocolate Milk

Using chocolate milk to replace ice cream in milk shakes, for example, is a healthier dessert option for kids and adults alike.

“We use chocolate milk to make pudding, smoothies and milk shakes,” said Amy, Cajun Joie de Vivre.

“We do the chocolate milk/ banana/ peanut butter, but we do it thick like soft-serve ice cream. Yum!” replied Amy, The Finer Things in Life.

Andrea added, “Another fun thing you can do is to use a little in baking – for things like muffins and scones or in waffles.”

Drink Milk for Health and Hydration

“I know, it is surprising, but milk naturally contains as much potassium as a banana, plus small amounts of sodium. That plus the fluid content makes it a great way to rehydrate,” said Andrea.

In fact, milk contains more electrolytes than sports drinks!

A cup of TruMoo, like all chocolate milk, has a very small amount of caffeine (which occurs naturally from the cocoa) – typically less than 5 mg. For comparison – a can of cola has around 35-40 mg and a cup of coffee around 100 mg.

The TruMoo website features the TruMoo Switcheroo, where you can compare flavored milk to other beverages kids commonly consume, like fruit drinks, energy drinks and soda!

More Information about TruMoo

In response to a question from Lisa at Life with Lisa, Andrea reported that TruMoo does “have a strawberry flavor that’s available in most markets. It’s got the same great nutrition stats as the chocolate – 130 calories and 22 g sugar (10 g added) in the fat-free and 150 calories and 22 g sugar (10 g added) in the 1%. I should note too that it’s made with all natural colors – the pink color actually comes from beet juice powder!”

Added Amy, Cajun Joie de Vivre, “I also like that it is available in so many sizes: gallon, half, etc. I have four boys and my hubby and I both have a glass of chocolate milk before bed time. We need BIG sizes. I’m glad we have that option.”

Additionally, TruMoo contains “8 grams of protein – that’s more than is in an egg! – plus [it is] a good or excellent source of 8 other nutrients including 3 of the 4 ‘nutrients of concern’ that kids aren’t getting enough of – calcium, protein and vitamin D,” according to Andrea.

Where to Find TruMoo

“If you can’t find TruMoo in your area, chances are we may not have a dairy nearby. TruMoo is made with fresh white milk at your local dairy. Our corporate website has a map of all of our regional dairy brands… if you don’t recognize one of these brands from your area, chances are you won’t have TruMoo in stores,” said Jamaison, who works with Andrea at Dean Foods.

You can use the TruMoo store locator to help you find TruMoo in your area.

Thanks so much to Dean Foods and TruMoo for sponsoring the Talk, Andrea Carrothers for leading the conversation, and our wonderful blogger co-hosts!

Amy, The Finer Things in Life

Amy, Cajun Joie de Vivre

Lisa, Life with Lisa

Jennifer, Savor the Thyme

Shannon, The Mommy Files

Kendra, Me and My Insanity

Stefany, To Be Thode

Cat, 3 Kids and Us

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62248

Summer Paint Projects: Olympic ONE Has You Covered

August 10, 2011 by The Motherhood

On August 10, 2011, celebrity DIY guru Eric Stromer – HGTV host and father of three – joined a crowd of women on TheMotherhood to share some of his best tried-and-true DIY painting tips via live video feed.

Read on for his advice!

Eric Stromer’s Paint Prep Tips

“With any DIY project, prep work is key!” said Eric, adding that although it may take you a few extra minutes, it will ultimately save you time in the end.

Prior to starting a painting project, put blue or green painter’s tape around windows and doorframes, or where walls and ceilings meet. This will create nice clean lines, and the tape is designed to come off easily.

Eric also suggested moving furnishings and collectibles to the center of the room and covering them with plastic. This will protect your valuables from splashing or drips.

But before you even think about painting, Eric said to “find your own sense of design” – rather than decorating your house based on what’s trendy or what’s in the magazines, figure out what you love and go from there.

Added Deborah, “Paint is the easiest and most cost effective way to change a room. Choose colors that you love–not just because it *goes*, you know? Recently I’ve been lightening our home–from stuff and from darker colors. I love it and the artwork just shines.”

Eric Stromer’s Painting Tips

According to Eric, if you make a mistake like splattering paint on the windows or getting the wrong color on the wall, wait until it dries. Then you can easily scrape the paint off the window with a straight-edged razor blade or paint over the wall in the correct color.

“BUT be sure to clean up wet paint off your floors ASAP with water!” noted Kayla S.

Eric also recommends lightly sanding all glossy surfaces before painting to help the paint stick much better. And when he advised that painters should “hold your paintbrush like a pencil for more accuracy when cutting a line,” it resonated with a number of moms.

“I have learned something already!” said Jen, The Suburban Mom.

And another popular tip from Eric described the best way to clean paint brushes and rollers – using a wire brush to comb out the paint.

“Loving this so far! I never knew about the wire brush thing … cleaning is always the part that annoys me most,” said Jennifer, Jen Spends.

“Yes, seriously, I will be trying the wire brush for cleaning!” added Janel, A Mom’s Take.

Olympic ONE Paint

“Not only is prep work important, but I’m always stressing the importance of using quality products,” Eric noted. “However, quality doesn’t always mean products have to cost more.”

Olympic ONE Paint is formulated to give you a complete DIY solution with extreme hide and stain and scrub resistance and starts at $24 – a great value for budget-conscious consumers.

The scrub-resistance of Olympic ONE is “perfect for a playroom!!!” said Jen, The Suburban Mom, and Jennifer at Mom Spotted laughed, “This is a great feature for my kitchen!”

In addition, Olympic ONE is a paint and primer, all in one can, which can save both time and money. “I love the fact that ONE has primer in it…I have wasted so much time priming over the years,” said Jennifer, Jen Spends.

Olympic also has a great ColorClix tool (and it’s FREE!) to help you color match.

Enter to win $10,000 on Facebook!

Eric has partnered with Olympic Paint to launch the “Simply Done” Facebook promotion.

Now through August 26, consumers can visit www.olympic.com or “Simply Done” on Olympic Paint’s Facebook page to upload a photo of their paint project. Eric will choose a winner the week of September 5, and that lucky person will win $10,000.

Enter here: http://www.facebook.com/olympicpaintandstain?sk=app_233075190059768

Q&A

Deborah: What is your recommendation for covering RED walls–specifically what primer? I really don’t want to HAVE to spend all of September doing this.

“Red and orange are tough colors to paint over because they require so many coats to cover – primer is key,” said Eric.

Olympic ONE Paint is a great option, because it’s a paint and primer in one for just $24 per gallon, which will save time and money on the paint project.

Andrea, Lil’ Kid Things: We plan to paint our 1960’s hardwood cabinets rather than replace them. Is this something we can DIY without it looking tacky or should we hire out?

“Sanding and primer are your friends,” suggested Kelly, Kansas City Mamas.

Olympic Paint added, “You can definitely DIY!”

Jennifer, Mom Spotted: I heard their paints are fume free and safe for pregnant women- is that all of Olympic Paints or just a certain one?

Olympic Paint replied, “Our Olympic Premium is ZERO VOC including colorants… our new Olympic ONE paint & primer in one is low VOC! Both found exclusively at Lowes.”

Shannon, The Mommy Files: I’ve rented many places where the owners have painted the windows shut! How do you prevent something like that from happening?

“Well, you could ask them not to do that,” joked Eric, before suggesting that, when encountering windows that are painted shut, you can wrap a towel around your hand for safety and slide a broad knife or putty knife into the sealed crevices to unstick them.

“Great advice for unsealing windows using a broad knife/putty knife! So simple!” said Anjanette, Raising the Barrs.

Michelle, Burgh Baby: Any tips for covering textured paint or paint that is thicker in some spots than others? I once had to deal with trying to cover the texture from sponge painting (which, NIGHTMARE).

Eric suggested two approaches: sanding the walls until the paint is an even texture, or using a broad knife 6-8 inches wide to coat the walls in a thin layer of drywall to even out the wall surface.

Thanks to Olympic Paint for sponsoring this incredible Talk, Eric Stromer for hosting, and our talented and creative blogger co-hosts!

Andrea, Lil’ Kid Things

Anjanette, Raising the Barr

Janel, A Mom’s Take

Jennifer, Mom Spotted

Jen, The Suburban Mom

Jen, Jen Spends

Joey, Real Mom Media

Kelly, Kansas City Mamas

Michelle, Burgh Baby

Shannon, The Mommy-Files

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62241

Bring Summer to Life with Rice Krispies

July 14, 2011 by The Motherhood

On July 14, 2011, moms came to TheMotherhood to learn about methods for educating kids in the kitchen based on ages and stages. Leading the chat via live video stream was Melanie Hall, MS, RD, Kellogg Company, who also provided tips and demonstrations for several simple and tasty snacks using Rice Krispies.

http://youtu.be/PGlXsPPBk5k

Melanie began the chat by talking about the goal with bringing kids into the kitchen: building a foundation of confidence, adventure and curiosity.

“My kids love to cook. Great thoughts,” said Sommer, A Spicy Perspective, and Wendy at Around My Family Table agreed, “My kids love helping out in the kitchen!”

Melanie also listed a number of valuable skills kids can learn right in the kitchen – everything from reading and language skills and counting for younger kids, to following tasks from beginning to end and planning ahead for older kids, to learning about nutrition at all ages.

“I just had all four kids helping me make Strawberry Granita. Each had a different task. Love having my kids help in the kitchen!” said Kristen, Dine and Dish.

“I’ve been known to give them all their own bowls and let them measure and dump whatever they want into it while I cook,” added Jenn, SuperJenn. “That way I can get through my recipe but we can still talk and interact…. I still talk about what I’m doing.”

Melanie also demonstrated several simple snack ideas, and pointed out that snacks using Rice Krispies are a great choice for summer because there is no need to use a hot oven or stove. Keep reading for her snack ideas!

Rice Krispies Trail Mix Treats

Recipe calls for ½ cup of crunchy peanut butter, 1 cup of rolled oats, ½ cup of raisins or dried tart cherries and ½ cup of sunflower seeds

This is in addition to the 20 marshmallows – a counting opportunity! – and 2 cups of Rice Krispies cereal.

These Rice Krispies Trail Mix Treats are formed in a muffin tin, so get kids involved in pressing the mixture into the pan and counting as you go.

Garden Party Garland Skewers

“A great way to encourage kids to eat fresh, seasonal fruit – and maybe even try some new fruits, such as kiwi, mango and pineapple – is to involve them in making these tasty Garden Party Garland skewers,” Melanie noted.

Alternate different colored fruits with pieces of Rice Krispies Treats on a skewer to create a beautiful, tasty dessert.

Dipped Pears

The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of fat free plain yogurt, 3 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter, 1 tablespoon of fat free milk and 1 and a half teaspoons of sugar.

Whisk that together and serve with sliced pears for dipping – and “what puts it over the top, in my opinion, is a final roll in Rice Krispies cereal, which gives an extra, delicious crunch – and is fun to do,” said Melanie.

“Melanie has been so great. I’m feeling inspired!” said Ashley, Cute As a Fox Creations.

For more kid-related food inspiration, “I do a monthly Kids in the Kitchen segment on the first Friday of the month. Great chat and lots of great info!” said Wendy, Around My Family Table.

As part of our Rice Krispies Making Memories Summer Challenge, our four teams of wonderful bloggers also showcased the treats they invented during the chat. Below, you can see photos of each delicious treat – and click the links to visit the related blog posts. You can vote for your favorite by commenting (using the word “vote”) on their posts!

PHOENIX Peanut Butter Pops

“These are so cute,” said Robyn, Add a Pinch.

Ashley, Cute as a Fox Creations: http://www.cuteasafox.com/2011/07/rice-krispies-stuffed-peanut-butter.html

Kristyn, Lil Luna: http://www.lilluna.com/2011/07/kelloggs-rice-krispies-challenge-2.html

Wendy, Around My Family Table: http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2011/07/stuffed-peanut-butter-pops

Jacquilyn, Aly & Ash: http://alyashcreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/rice-krispies-challenge-2-summer.html

ASHEVILLE Fruity Rice Krispies Kebabs

“So healthy. Great idea,” said Kelly, Kansas City Mamas.

And Kristyn, Lil Luna, added, “Eye candy, baby!!”

Sommer, A Spicy Perspective: http://aspicyperspective.com/2011/07/fruity-rice-krispies-kebabs.html

Robyn, Add a Pinch: http://addapinch.com/cooking/2011/07/12/rice-krispies-kebabs

Julie, Mommie Cooks: http://www.mommiecooks.com/2011/07/12/rice-krispie-fruit-kebobs

Amy, She Wears Many Hats: http://shewearsmanyhats.com/2011/07/fruity-rice-krispies-kebabs

KANSAS CITY Rice Krispies Tangy Watermelon Treat

“Very nice job guys! I especially loved your burger; very creative!” said Julie, Mommie Cooks.

Kristen, Dine and Dish: http://dineanddish.net/2011/07/summer-rice-krispies-treat-challenge-recipe-tangy-watermelon-rice-krispie-treats

Kelly, Kansas City Mamas: http://www.kansascitymamas.com/2011/07/tangy-watermelon-rice-krispies-treats-100-visa-card-giveaway

Jenn, Super Jenn: http://www.superjenn.com/from-my-kitchen-tangy-watermelon-rice-krispies-treats-and-100-giveaway

Julie, My Kansas City Mommy: http://www.mykansascitymommy.com/2011/07/summer-rice-krispies-challenge.html

PHILLY Rice Krispies S’mores

“Oh, those are just so delish looking!!!!” said Emily McKhann, TheMotherhood.

Sarah, Genesis Moments: http://www.genesismoments.com/awritersjourney/2011/06/the-rice-krispies-summer-challenge-in-on.html

Zareen, Cooking with Z: http://cookingwithz.com/?p=1473

Tara, Baby Momma Blog: http://babymommablog.com/7667/activity/rice-krispies-making-memories-summer-challenge-100-visa-giveaway/

Joey, Real Mom in the Media: http://www.joeyfortman.com/journal/2011/6/21/rice-krispies-making-memories-summer-challenge.html

“So many great ideas with this challenge! Creative ladies all over!” said Amy, She Wears Many Hats.

“I love seeing what all the teams did. What great ideas,” agreed Sarah, Genesis Moments.

Thank you to all of our amazing bloggers, and to Rice Krispies for sponsoring the live chat!

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62236

Women, Girls and Sports

June 21, 2011 by The Motherhood

On June 21, 2011, just days before the 40^th anniversary of Title IX, women came to TheMotherhood to discuss issues surrounding girls’ participation in athletic activities – and the beneficial impact sports can have on their lives.

Leading the chat was Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Women’s Sports Foundation’s senior director of advocacy, Olympic champion, law professor and mother of three.

“This is exciting to know that we are all coming together and talking about this important aspect of our daughters’ lives,” said Lorrie, one of the Talk participants.

Read on to learn more about girls and sports!

How sports can impact a girl’s life

Nancy pointed out that Title IX is a federally funded piece of legislation making sex discrimination in athletics illegal, and those tax dollars spent on sports are well allocated.

“Think of sports as an important investment in a kid’s future, the same way you think about math or writing class,” she suggested. “Sports give kids a toolkit for success,” with benefits including improved physical and emotional health, better grades and more education.

“As you know, there’s a huge obesity crisis on our country, and a HIGH SCHOOL sports experience is the #1 best prevention tool out there,” Nancy added.

“We’ve done team sports rather than dance, and I think my girls have gotten a lot of benefits out of it – physical, social, emotional,” said Deb, Mom of 3 Girls.

Agreed Diane, MomoFali, “My daughter has played organized sports for seven years and she gets great grades! You learn how to be a member of a team, to act as an individual in conjunction with the team, how to handle defeat and how to be graceful. Such valuable life lessons!”

“I was a world class athlete, but the best thing I got out of sports wasn’t gold medals – it was those life-long lessons!” said Nancy.

Encouraging participation in sports

You can urge your daughter to try new things until she finds a sport she really enjoys. You can also encourage her by making athletics a “buddy” activity or a more social event.

“I have a son and twin daughters, and I’m always looking for great coaches for them. I also find it’s better if I can get them signed up with their friends,” said Nancy Hogshead.

“Our AYSO (soccer) program lets first-year players request to play with friends – definitely helps those kids who aren’t as likely to want to play otherwise, I think!” agreed Deb, Mom of 3 Girls

“Friends are a great influence. It is like having a workout buddy,” said Sarah, Sarah and the Goon Squad.

Parents can be a great influence, too! “I wasn’t encouraged to ‘keep at it’ by my parents and I only ran track for a few years,” said Stacy, My Life of What-Ifs. “I wasn’t passionate about any sport. My daughter is almost 11 and she LOVES soccer. I am excited for her.”

Watching girls’ sports or getting to know older girls who play sports might also have an impact on your daughter when it comes to getting involved in athletics.

“Seeing older girls play sports is such a great inspiration for the younger girls,” said Carolyn, This Talk Ain’t Cheap.

“It’s all about a culture that tells girls that – THEY BELONG HERE. They’re not invading someone else’s turf,” agreed Nancy.

Girls’ sports by location

Regardless of desire, however, geographic location does make a difference when it comes to sports opportunities for girls.

“Iowa, Nebraska and Maine are much better than Florida and D.C. Florida has just 30% of its kids playing sports, whereas Iowa has almost 100%. Girls in Maine have almost twice the opportunities that boys Florida do,” noted Nancy Hogshead.

“In NY where I live, outside the city, most girls are connected to at least one sport. I think that parents make a real effort to get them involved and see the benefits,” said Holly, The Culture Mom.

Nancy acknowledged, “It’s true – when there are SO MANY girls playing sports, it isn’t stigmatized, isn’t like they’re doing a male activity.”

“I also imagine there are major differences as a result of socio-economic differences. My kids are fortunate, I work from home so I am available to take them to after school sports. I imagine in many areas of the country, and where moms work, these opportunities are not available. It then becomes critical for schools to implement more sports and other after school activities for the children,” lyz pointed out.

To address that issue, “The WSF has a program called GoGirlGo! that is about getting millions of girls active,” said Nancy Hogshead. And lyz is “on the board of an organization called Jeremy’s Heroes, which has implemented after-school programs in NYC public schools which do not have organized sports activities.”

Co-ed v. Single-sex teams

Sometimes, the only organized sports that are available are boys’ or co-ed teams. In other locations, sports are strictly male- or female-only.

According to Nancy, “Sports is the only place in all education where we sex-segregate. Boys go one place, girls go another.” How we treat them when they get into these separate areas can influence the rest of a girl’s life, and there is still a lot of work to be done.

“My 8yo did a soccer camp last year where they didn’t separate boys and girls – it was her first time playing with boys. And she did amazingly – really helped increase her skills too, I think. Boys play more aggressively than girls from what I’ve seen, and that encouraged her to play to their level,” said Deb, Mom of 3 Girls.

“I have boy/girl twins, so I see the sex segregation clear as day. Fortunately, at seven, they are still able to play on the same tee-ball and baseball teams … My kids love the co-ed teams. I am sad that for basketball we have to be segregated,” added Sarah, Sarah and the Goon Squad.

In some places, though, sexes are not segregated for certain sports, where co-ed teams become the norm. It isn’t the best fit for all girls.

“They do not separate soccer in our town. My daughter is petite, but a very good athlete, and she stopped playing after two years because the boys were twice her weight. We have since switched to gymnastics. I think single sex as they get older is better for both boys and girls,” said lyz.

Agreed Emily McKhann, TheMotherhood, “I found much the same for my girls, that they’ve done better on single sex teams. They also like the camaraderie among the players and missed that dynamic when there were boys and girls.”

Being the girl on a boys’ team

When it comes to co-ed opportunities, one of the hardest situations is being the only girl – or one of the only girls – on an all-boys team.

“My daughter is struggling with wanting to continue playing golf. She’s the only girl on the team,” said Diane, MomoFali.

“If you want to play with the guys, that’s great, go for it. BUT be prepared to call the guys out on some sexist remarks. At least, that was my experience in HS shop class,” said Monica, Paper Bridges.

“I had the same issue – there were girls on the team, but I didn’t work out with them. And on Every Single new team I could expect to be sexually harassed. (I would have called it “being a jerk” as a teen.) But soon they flipped and respected me as an athlete – it just took awhile,” encouraged Nancy Hogshead. “But I hear you – it’s tough – but she’s not alone, and this is really good fodder as she moves into the professional world.”

Nancy also suggested to “mix it up a bit! Get another friend on the team, work with different coach or at a new course.”

There is more work to be done

Despite the progress that has been made, boys’ and girls’ sports are still unequal. As Nancy pointed out, girls’ sports receive $186 million less in athletic scholarships each year.

“As a mother of three young daughters, I find the lack of sports opportunities for them disturbing,” said Carolyn, This Talk Ain’t Cheap. “All of the sports teams we have in our town are either boy-only or co-ed. We don’t have any all-girl athletics and my girls don’t want to play with the boys.”

“In my town, there is plenty for young girls but I keep hearing the opportunities dwindle as soon as they hit middle school,” said Emily McKhann, TheMotherhood.

“Girls on the Run focuses on middle school girls. You may want to check that out,” suggested Monica, Paper Bridges.

“Become an advocate for your daughter or your school! Go to our (brand new!) website and click on ‘Advocacy.’ There you’ll see ‘Playing Fair – A Title IX Playbook for Victory’ – provides specific step-by-step directions. And you can call our Advocacy dept!!!” concluded Nancy Hogshead.

Links

Billie Jean King on Good Morning America, mentioning Nancy while talking about the 40th Anniversary of Title IX: http://video-cdn.abcnews.com/110620_gma_king.mp4

Follow the Women’s Sports Foundation on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/womenssportsfdn

Like the Women’s Sports Foundation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Womens-Sports-Foundation/107750079247827

Call the Women’s Sports Foundation with your advocacy questions: 1-800-227-3988

Thank you to Nancy, the Women’s Sports Foundation, and our amazing blogger co-hosts!

Carolyn, This Talk Ain’t Cheap

Courtney, One Bored Mommy

Deb, Mom of 3 Girls

Diane, MomoFali

Gina, My Very Last Nerve

Holly, The Culture Mom

Jamie, Crunchy Cupcakes

Joanne, PunditMom