Search Results for: blog be the role model for your kids

Is Your Child’s Idol a Loser?

She loved one of her songs, but thankfully, my daughter is not in love with pop sensation Miley Cyrus. I consider myself one of the lucky ones. The former “Hannah Montana” star has legions of young fans, though much to their parents’ chagrin. According to a new poll, 68% of parents say they can’t stand the 19-year-old and wish their children would idolize someone else. Moms and dads claim their displeasure with Cyrus stems from her public transformation from squeaky-clean Disney star to risqué, half-naked punk performer. Joining Cyrus on the list of most unpopular teen role models is another disgraced … Continue reading →

Doc McStuffins: A Revolutionary Role Model

For once Disney seems to be doing something right. Its primary role models for girls have, for years, been princesses. Sure, the ones created in the past couple years have been more dynamic, with more in their lives than just wishing that “someday my prince will come,” but at the end of the day, they’re princesses. That’s usually the notes on which their movies end. They’ve found men or are living in a castle: that’s the happily ever after. The princesses are also all so very “white as snow.” Most of the princesses are white, and everyone else just gets … Continue reading →

Who is Your Model Mom?

My model mom has eight legs, five biological children, three adoptive ones, two dewy eyes and a gigantic heart of gold. In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m turning the spotlight on motivational moms who have made an impact on my parenting techniques. While there are many exceptional women out there raising kids in ways that warm the heart and stir the soul, this post highlights a unique mother I’ve admired since my daughter was a toddler. She embodies the fortitude of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the diplomacy of a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and the flexibility of a Cirque … Continue reading →

Freakazoid Parents Ruining Easter for Kids

I will never subject my sweet, innocent little lamb to another hare-raising event like it ever again. NEVER. EVER. EVER. AGAIN! I wrote those words on April 9, 2009, on this very blog. They were inspired by a bunch of freakazoid parents who decide to “help” their kids at a public Easter egg hunt. And by help I mean run over, elbow, flatten and otherwise traumatize innocent little children whom they did not give birth to, so they could get their grubby adult hands on plastic eggs and hand them to their offspring. So much for egg “hunting,” not to … 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 →

Test Your Driving Mettle at Epcot’s Test Track

Disney World sure is the park for auto buffs. First it has the already-profiled Richard Petty Driving Experience, and it also contains Epcot’s Test Track. I guess Disneyland might start to compete a bit with Cars Land, but until we know more about that attraction it’ll be hard to tell. An amusement park might not be a car nut’s ideal vacation, but if they’re already there for other reasons, at least they’ll have more to do than at another park. I almost profiled Test Track as another Fun for Grown-Ups at Disney feature, but kids 7 and older are allowed … Continue reading →

What You Need to Know About Your Texting Teen

If your teenager cannot connect with you on a relationship level or if that relationship is too stressful, painful, or difficult, there are plenty of other places your teen can connect. Even if your relationship is merely strained and not broken altogether, your teen has plenty of options for connection, validation, acceptance, and support apart from you. You are in competition for your teen’s connection. You are competing with peers and with technology because many of those other options for connection are only a cell phone or keypad away. It used to be that you punished a child by sending … Continue reading →

Fighting in Front of the Kids

We all know that fighting in front of our children can have lasting damaging effects. Children deal with the divorce much better if their parents are civil with each other. It is normal for there to be an occasional argument. Things come up and you aren’t always going to agree. You didn’t while you were married, why would things be any different now? When things do come up remove yourselves from the situation so that the kids aren’t put in the middle of it. Keep your kids as far out of the divorce as possible. It isn’t their responsibility to … Continue reading →

You: Your Child’s Biggest Inspiration

You have chosen to school your children at home, and by so doing, you are the adult they see all day, every day, be it during school time, family time, grocery shopping time … you are their main example when it comes to how to be an adult. This is flattering, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. I’m sure you’re well aware of the dangers of setting a bad example, but I wonder if you’re equally aware of the power of setting a positive example for your child. Because they are home with you all day, they … Continue reading →

Mom Robs Bank for Kids

Well, something like that. How many times have you considered robbing a bank in order to score some fast cash? Most of us joke about committing the federal offense at some time or another, especially during tough economic times. Of course, a joke is just that; something to laugh about. I’m sure most people don’t actually make serious plans to carry out the risky and illegal job. That goes double for parents. After all, parents are supposed to be role models for their kids and what kind of example are you setting if you are rotting in a jail cell … Continue reading →