The MomTini Lounge^SM

I meant to post this earlier, and I realize many kids are already away at camp, but fear not, there are some tips for anyone sending (or having sent) kids away to camp this summer. (Also check out creative tips for staying in touch while your camper is away).

First, for those in prep mode, here’s my latest national wire column:

Sleep-away camp is a great experience for many kids and parents. New experiences, adventures outdoors (or at the camp mess hall) await. Kids miss parents; parents miss kids; but great memories are formed.

With the economy in a slump, camps are definitely feeling the crunch. If you haven’t yet signed up for camp, you may still have a great chance at a spot, and possibly at a reduced rate if camps are looking to fill empty spots. Some camps also offer scholarships or paid counselor spots for older kids, so explore your options, and be creative!

Here are some quick tips for parents as you prepare your kid to get away:

1. Planning and preparation will help make the experience less anxious for kids and mom. Prepare a few weeks in Read the rest of this entry »

Thanks to parenting expert Bette Holtzman, vice president of consumer and family advocacy at The Goldberger Company, and Mom Since 1990 (MS’90) for sharing these 12 recession-friendly activity ideas for your kids. She includes lots of links and recipes for homemade bubbles & clay – delicious, low-cost fun! Enjoy — Amy

A Dozen Summer Fun Ideas by Bette Holtzman

In today’s economy, families are watching every penny. That doesn’t mean family fun has to end! Here are some family-friendly outings that will get you outside this spring and summer—without breaking the bank!

1) Take a Trip to the Farmers’ Market. Farmers’ markets are unexpected family-oriented places that offer great stimulation for children. They present a fun learning opportunity where kids can experience various colors, shapes, sounds and smells. Kids can touch and taste. And there are plenty of freebies, which means mom and dad don’t always have to buy! Frequent visits allow a family to develop relationships with local farmers and vendors in their community. To find a local farmers’ market near you, click here.

2) Do a Little Gardening. This is an inexpensive way to Read the rest of this entry »

Check out my “Frugal Father’s Day” article in Wednesday’s Washington Post business column, “Small Change.” [Runs online Wednesday; in the print edition Thursday]. You’ll find quick & easy ideas and links on everything from framed certificates to custom CD’s, coupons, and lots more.

Last year, I published “Recession-proof Father’s Day Gift ideas”. I suggested garden stones which you can pick up at any art supply store and decorate with hand prints, jeweled stones, all for under $10. I also wrote about homemade bookmarks or coasters which kids can decorate, sticker, add photos and mom can laminate at an office supply store.

A year later, we’re all still in the frugal zone, so I shared some of my latest favorite gift ideas with The Washington Post that are priceless without breaking the bank. Plus, here are some more Mom-Tastic ideas.

I also did some social marketing research on Facebook and Twitter and came up with some friends’ fabulous frugal finds Read the rest of this entry »

Hiring a babysitter can be challenging, and maintaining a good relationship is like any employer/employee relationship – it can be easy or…not! When Jennifer Frueh, Local Childcare Coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair, and Mom Since 2000 (MS’00) asked me if Lounge readers would appreciate some tips on working with Au Pairs, I thought it was a great idea. Upon reading her tips (below), I think her ideas could easily apply to any babysitter relationship.

Frueh describes the benefits of an Au pair (full-time, live-in childcare): “Au pairs are enthusiastic, motivated young people from overseas who provide a great alternative to daycare centers or summer camps. In addition, your au pair will help your children keep their rooms clean, do their laundry and can have their dinner ready by the time you come home from work.” An added benefit, she said, “is that it’s a great way for your children to learn a new language and discover another culture.”

Communication is KEY to a successful year and relationship
by Jennifer Frueh
Cultural Care Au Pair

Ø To insure good communication, hold weekly meetings to discuss the past and upcoming week. Make sure this not a one-sided conversation. You both need to talk and you both need to listen to each other. Don’t make this just a time to tell the Au pair what to do the next week.

Ø It is important to make time for daily communication. This means that the Au pair needs to take the time to see if there are issues that need to be discussed before heading out the door. Host parents need to take the time to ask how the Au pair’s day went. If there is no time to talk that evening set up a meeting. Take time to “re-center” everyone. Plan a conversation when the kids will not interrupt, i.e. after they’ve gone to bed.

Ø Restate your expectations. As a host parent, it is wise to regularly restate your expectations, and to have the Au pair restate his/her understanding of the expectations and see how closely they match. If communication has broken down, this is a way to re-open communication.

Ø Au pair’s Job Responsibilities: To assist with communication about the Au pair’s job responsibilities, it is good to make a responsibility list together. Sit down and list your Au Pair’s responsibilities. Write them down, make copies, and checklists if necessary. Keeping this on a computer makes it easy to adapt it to each new week’s schedule of events and activities as well.

Ø Always keep a good attitude. This is accomplished by the Au pair listening to constructive criticism and not being defensive, and the host parents being sensitive to the Au pair’s feelings with an emphasis on listening. The more positive you think, the better your attitude will be.

Ø When problems arise, it is very important that both the host parents and the Au pair try to have a positive outlook, and want to make changes for the situation to improve. If you have given up before you begin, nothing you try will be successful.

Ø Here is a suggestion for Au pairs that will help create good communication. As an Au pair you should not expect to walk out the door at the exact minute you’re scheduled “off”. Plan a few minutes to give the host parents any messages or important information for the day, especially if they’ve just walked in the door.

Ø Treat each other like family. Host parents, make an effort to treat your Au pair like you would treat any family member staying in your home. Au pairs, treat your host parents like they are member of your family. Acting like strangers living in a house together can create a lot of tension which leads to stress and many bad feelings. Making the effort to ask about each other’s day, plans and friends can bridge many gaps in communication.

While Au Pair programs and packages vary, Frueh described Cultural Care’s program as a guide. “Our au pairs—young women and men from all over the world—are carefully evaluated, selected and trained. They are between the ages of 18 and 26 and are excited to spend a year (or more) with an American family to provide up to 45 hours per week of childcare.” The cost, she said, is $320 per week.

For more “Mom-Tastic” resources for evaluating your childcare options, and for finding and keeping good help, check out our website.

Photo provided by Cultural Au Pair – Jennifer’s daughter Regan and a German Au Pair Eva

The best laid plans…so sorry if you tried to open the saving report but couldn’t. Kind of like getting a gift that doesn’t work – so sorry!

Technical glitch now fixed — you should be able to open at the bottom of this post – thanks for your patience!

For some time, I’ve wanted to offer current and future subscribers a gift to say “thanks so much” for reading my blog posts. And…here it is!!! Just published, thanks in large part to a much valued team member, Liz N., is the first in a series of special savings reports. The first one, “Mom-Tastic Savings 101” has some inside tips on how to save money and includes our Top 30 sources for saving money on everything from clothes, toys, groceries, and more. Find online savings codes; special discounts; and tons more, all a click away!

This is a free gift (via downloadable report) to all current subscribers which you’ll see Read the rest of this entry »

As the school year comes to a close, kids are antsy to get summer started, and homework is probably the last thing on their minds. But to close the year strong, here are some quick tips on homework, along with some ways to evaluate your systems this year while the pros and cons are fresh in your mind.

As parents, we want to be involved, but not overbearing. We want to know what’s going on, but we also want our kids to take ownership of their own work. Here are some tips and resources:

1 – Did you Use a Homework Organizer? – Sometimes, schools supply one; if not, hopefully your child has a calendar to keep track of homework, project deadlines, quizzes and tests. Did your system work this year? If not, talk to your child about what worked, what didn’t, to fine-tune the system for next year.

2 – What Type of System Works for your Child? – As adults, we have a variety of favorites for keeping our tasks organized. I was a proud paper Dayplanner addict until a couple of years ago when my Blackberry transformed my life (and required short thumbnails, abbreviated speech, and then some). I have friends who swear by their paper systems; others who are technologically miles ahead of me. The bottom line is this — if a system works for you, it works. Our kids are the same way – some are more visual learners; others, more auditory. Make sure you understand your child’s strengths and challenges so he/she has a system that works.

3 – Think about your routine for after school – I’m pretty straightforward – snack, homework, free time, in that order. If possible, Read the rest of this entry »

I have to share some Mom-Tastic video fun with The Lounge…

First, this past weekend, had the most fabulous time thanks to Lauren S., Mom Since 1996, along with Shelly and Robin and hubbies, on the White House Correspondents Dinner Red Carpet. Check out the celebs we got to Read the rest of this entry »

Amy with Leslie (Leslie’s Fancy Cakes) and Holly Morris (FOX 5 Anchor)
More great cake photos at the end of this post – true eye candy!

The Mother’s Day Gift Segment was a treat today! Check it out – 2 separate segments below:

First, what is a mom’s work worth? Priceless, we’d like to hope! Salary.com surveyed 12,000 moms to find out. Using their online wizard, you can calculate the number of hours you spend doing all of your different jobs each day, and based on your zip code, you can calculate and print a paycheck! Fascinating – the top “jobs” we do as moms are housekeeper, teacher and cook. Click here to check it out.

As promised, here’s some more detail on the tips from the segment with links of where you can find or quickly create Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re in the D.C. area, tune into FOX News (Channel 25) tomorrow morning, Wednesday May 6th. I’ll be live with Anchor Holly Morris at a very delicious location (you’ll have to tune in to see, but suffice it to say, there will be loads of eye candy!). Live interviews are at 7:40 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. EST.

We’ll be chatting about some fun facts about Moms & Mother’s Day and showing some quick, easy gifts that won’t break the bank, but will be priceless to mom.

I’ll post more details tomorrow, but here are some of the treats we’ll discuss:

–> Create a spa at home - beyond a bubble bath, Read the rest of this entry »

The swine flu scare has everyone in a panic, so I decided this week to write about some tips and resources I’ve come across. The government has declared a public health emergency. As of today in the United States, there are 109 confirmed cases and one death – you can see a list of where the confirmed cases are at this link. New York and Texas have the most cases confirmed in the U.S. (50 and 26) as of today.

A while back, we posted an article, “Say Boo to the Flu” – click here for more information and tips.

Also, here’s an informational video from the CDC:

What is Read the rest of this entry »

I wanted to share some “Hallmark moments” – those little things you do for the people you love that don’t have to cost a lot, but end up being priceless!

Hallmark recently challenged Mommy bloggers to think about this topic, and with Mother’s Day around the corner, I can think of lots! Holidays – or really any day – are the perfect time to encourage kids to give gifts from the heart and to think about the little things we can do to make someone’s day:

– Coupons for hugs
– A day (or more) off from chores
– A week where no one has to make their bed but gets to snuggle in rumpled sheets – delicious! Read the rest of this entry »

Sexting has become a teen fad that is not only raising eyebrows, but causing concern for many parents. Tech-savvy teens can send text messages at lightning speed, and some are taking it too far by sending nude photos or sexual messages electronically without realizing how inappropriate and potentially dangerous it can be.

A while back, I blogged about the controversy in the news about the cheerleaders who were kicked off the squad for sending nude pictures of themselves over their cell phones. Some experts shed light on the “why” behind the sexting, including that it may be a strategy to hold onto boyfriends. For CNN’s coverage on this story, click here.

Another headline that caught my eye came from WUSA-TV, a CBS affiliate (Washington, D.C.), that detailed an Internet “Bimbo” Read the rest of this entry »

Kids today have a new sense of entitlement, and teaching them respect is a parenting challenge…and opportunity. I found an expert on the subject, and wanted to thank the author for sharing her golden nuggets of wisdom at The Lounge. Authored by Dr. Robyn J.A. Silverman, here are 10 ways to teach kids about respect.

Dr. Robin J.A. Silverman

Lisa couldn’t help it. She had just “lost it” with her children…again. She would often find herself screaming at her them when they yelled, misbehaved, or fought with each other.
In my parenting coaching program, she said in exasperation, “I am trying to teach respect but I can’t get any respect!” But after much discussion, and several months of creating her family vision, Lisa came to realize that by screaming, she was teaching the very thing she hated; disrespect.
Your children take their cues from you.

Simply put, if children are around respectful adults, they’re more likely to Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s a recent national column I wrote – thought it was timely as we’re all considering spring cleaning!

High Efficiency Washer Tips from Dr. Laundry
Bleach is “mouthwash” for your dryer

I recently came across a great Business of Motherhood tip for fellow moms with the new high efficiency (HE) washers. We were in the market for a new washer/dryer anyway, so as I started shopping, I was drawn like a magnet to the front loader. It looks like a throwback to the 1950s, comes in all kind of funky colors, and has the latest technology. Plus, I thought “laundry watching” through the huge glass window might become sport in my house. (Alas, it never did…)

Also, the model came with lots of parenting perks. Kids equal laundry! Newborns seem to run through 6 outfits a day – burp, change, burp, change. When they’re young, wet beds mean you’re washing bulky comforters. As they grow up and have sleepovers, there are lots of sheets to wash. Enter spills, sports, and more, you’re just constantly doing laundry. I thought a larger capacity washer would reduce my time in the laundry room – larger loads, fewer loads, right? Plus, high efficiency washers use less water and less detergent; they’re more efficient; and isn’t that friendly in this economic environment?

But…enter a problem…the darling started to smell, really bad, like sour eggs or worse. Your kids’ odors don’t usually bother you – bad breath or stinky post-sports sweat, but your washer may not be held in such high regard when its smell goes south. I had ours serviced, and the technician recommended using bleach monthly to run through the washer with extra hot water, and that worked marvelously. I keep a post-it note near the washer and write the date every time I bleach, and our clothes definitely smell better.

I recent came across some tips from Clorox, bleach king of the universe, and thought they were fabulous guidelines for HE washer owners. Apparently, and this was fun news to me, Clorox has their own “Dr. Laundry.” And read on, because this doctor is about to make a house call – rather, laundry room call – via tips for you!

Harold Baker, Associate Research Fellow at the Clorox Company, aka “Dr. Laundry,” explained the reason for the foul odor, “After a few wash cycles, water that has not completely drained out of the machine can be left behind, creating a breeding ground for bad odors.”

Bleach, he says, is “like mouthwash for your HE washer.” Baker recommends running a load weekly with bleach to eliminate the bad odors. Dr. Laundry offered some additional tips:

• Don’t over-pack the washer. Too much laundry means the detergent can’t get to all the stains/soils to remove them.

• Always wash whites in HOT water. The hotter the water the better the dirt and odor removal.

• Better cleaning happens in soft water, so if you have hard water, you might consider moving to a powdered detergent. This type of detergent contains ingredients called builders that make the water softer.

• When cleaning a heavy soil load add a little extra detergent to make sure you’re in a good cleaning environment. It also helps prevent re-deposition of removed soil back onto the “cleaned” clothes.

You can see Dr. Laundry cleaning tips on video at the Dr. Laundry blog. The video specific to using bleach in HE machines is found at http://www.drlaundryblog.com/?page_id=300.

Note: I recommend that you also check with the store or brand of your model for tips specific to running bleach through by itself. Happy…and clean washing!

Some books catch me from the title alone – this one is a perfect example. 13 is the New 18 …And other things my children taught me while I was having a nervous breakdown being their mother is new to our Mom-Tastic Bookshelf for books on teens. I asked the author, Beth Harpaz, a Mom since 1992 (MS’92) to share some inside tips for raising teens here at The Lounge. As I read her tips, I think many could apply to raising younger kids too – Enjoy!

10 TIPS FOR RAISING TEENS
By Beth J. Harpaz

—> If your teenager is never home, . Read the rest of this entry »

Always on the lookout for shortcuts, I recently stumbled upon the Sane Fitness “Full Body Workouts That Won’t Drive You Crazy” kit. Developed by a fellow mom, Beverley Caen along with her trainer, fitness expert, John Cruz, this box of cards is like a personal trainer in a box. Basically, there are small cards that make up a different routine each time you workout to strip boredom out of your routine and also to reinforce proper form.

I tried it and really loved the variety and simplicity – it’s a great “cheat sheet” for a gym workout at home. Here are some additional shortcuts from Sane Fitness.

The first part is Read the rest of this entry »

When I saw the title, “Mom-in-Chief” on the soon-to-be-released parenting bookshelf, I couldn’t wait to meet the author who sub-titled her book, “How Wisdom from the Workplace Can Save Your Life from Chaos.” Jamie Woolf has mastered the art of how to bring your leadership skills from work home and reap great rewards. As you know, this is something I, too, believe in strongly – from the management perspective.

When I told my Knowing Pains editor, Molly Rosen, about this find, turns out, she’d already found Jamie, who is not only her neighbor, but hiking buddy to boot!

So, this world of Mompreneurs gets smaller, more collaborative, and more fun by the day!

I talked to Jamie, and wanted to share some nuggets of her workplace wisdom Read the rest of this entry »

I wanted to share some tips from my recent radio interview with Travel’n On Radio - The Business of Traveling With Kids.

• Kids love routine and structure. Travel is anything but routine or structured, so it may present challenges to parents.

• Whoever said, “Life is all about the journey, not the destination,” didn’t have 3 screaming kids in the backseat or cheerios flying at their head while trying to drive to Grandma’s house.

All humor aside, there are some great tactics you can use to make your next trip as stress-free as possible:

1. Include Read the rest of this entry »

If the thought of traveling with your kids makes you want to buy earplugs or a parachute, read on…Traveling in general can be stressful; add kids to the equation, and it can be complete mayhem. Tune in Tuesday night March 10th at 6 p.m. EST to hear my interview with Travel’n On Radio. You can hear it live online by clicking here. From that page, you can either listen live (6-6:30 p.m. EST) or join the chat room.

Some of the tips I’ll be sharing include…

– Include your kids in the research/planning.
– Carry a restaurant bag.
– Keep a travel journal.
– Add time to your clock

I’ll blog more after the interview about these topics and more!

Then, on Wednesday, I’ll be live in studio with Cari Shane Parven on News Channel 8’s “Let’s Talk Live” (Washington, D.C. – sister station of WJLA’s ABC affiliate) during the noon hour (EST) about Knowing Pains: Women on Love, Sex, and Work in our 40s. We’ll be talking about the work/life balance (me) and the importance of female friendships (Cari).

Tune in if you can! I’ll share links to both interviews later this week.