Role Mommy 411

INSPIRE YOUR PERSONAL SPACE WITH THE FIVE TOP 2008 DESIGN TRENDS

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:25:00 +0000

Does the soft real estate market mean you will stay in your home during 2008 instead of selling?

“Staying put gives you the license to update, renovate and create an interior for your home that is more comfortable, enjoyable, and that will show better when the market improves,” advises interior decorator Marion Glinert of Decor&You, who works with homeowners and small business owners in the Westchester and New York City area.

Though Decor & You designs emphasize client style and preferences, Glinert notes, at the same time, “we gently interpret major trends in people’s personal spaces so that redecorating projects work to enhance our clients’ investment in their home interiors.”

Glinert suggests that redecorating with elements of 2008’s five major design trends can change feeling stuck in your home into feeling inspired by it.

1. Political forces may be putting the environment into the headlines, but design pros are quite successfully putting it into people’s homes. In 2008, Americans have a renewed interest in using natural materials, especially in kitchens and bathrooms now that varnishes and technologies have made treated wood virtually impervious to water spillage and steam.

2. U.S. fabric importers say the hot color news out of Italy (and yes, anything Italian, as in the 1960’s, is hot again) are yellows and blues and more blues, especially in fabric and wallpaper, and blues mixed with warm sands and camels. Ecological motivations have a role again in popularizing nature colors: greens and warm browns. Celebrated international design author, Mary Gilliatt, exclusive design advisor to Decor&You in the U.S., thinks of color as useful for retailers, because nothing dates as quickly as last year’s colors. To be momentarily fashionable in your home, Gilliatt advises using color only in accessories like throw pillows, throws or even a lamp base which can be easily and comparatively inexpensively replaced when the color trends change again next year.

3. Over the centuries, the pendulum of design history has predictably swung from simple to more elaborate and then more elaborate still before returning to simple, from the Greek orders on (remember learning about those simple Doric columns being replaced by those elegantly refined Ionic columns and then by the rather fussy Corinthian variety?) Minimalism is slowly evolving to a more decorative – as opposed to decorated – look so that very often even the most rigorously contemporary rooms have at least one decorative piece of furniture or fanciful accessory. Fabrics too, are going luxe along this trend, incorporating hints of metallic, glitter and sparkle.

4. Wallpapers began a renaissance in 2007, and this year they’re back in force but more refined. A D.C. homeowner who is dedicated to contemporary looks recently called to ask for wallpaper in her bedroom and we knew the floodgates were opening.

5. Almost all current ‘new’ furniture looks are based on retro designs with endless variations on the Modern Movement which first saw the light of day at the end of the 19th century. Mary Gillatt toured the ‘Moderne’ Design Exhibition at the Park Lane Armory in New York in October, featuring many famous originals dating from the 1860s to the 1980s. Gilliatt said the glossy lacquered French designs of the 1940s and 50s are sure to surge back during the next few years, along with a continuation of the Art Deco designs “so rudely interrupted by World War II,” she noted.

Marion Glinert is a professional interior decorator with Decor&You, a national interior decorating franchise that offers comprehensive personalized service with a complete line of fine custom furniture, window and wall coverings, art and accessories for all budgets. Contact 914-302-2083 or visit www.decorandyou.com for more information.

Find Out How You Rate with the Presidential Candidates

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 02:46:00 +0000

Kudos to my husband Darin on turning me onto a new site where you can see where your opinions stack up with the presidential candidates. Visit www.glassbooth.org to see if the candidate you planned to vote for is actually the one who supports all the issues you're passionate about. Even though I am a die-hard Hillary Clinton supporter, my opinions actually matched Barack Obama's and John McCain's more closely! And so did my husband's. So I guess that means we're a perfect match then. Either way, it's a really cool site and a great way to see where the candidates stand on all the important issues facing Americans today. Be an informed voter...visit www.glassbooth.org today!

SURPRISE...10 MINUTE RECIPES FROM ROLEMOMMY!

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:28:00 +0000

If you have been visiting this site for awhile, then you'll know that I constantly have issues with my weight and have tried out dozens of diets with no success. That is until I tried Jenny Craig. I went on that plan back in September and have since dropped about 10 pounds and 2 sizes - I'm a size four again...yippee. So now that I'm weaning myself off Jenny food and trying to still cook some lo-cal options, I'm starting to get creative and tried out a recipe that is quite tasty if I do say so myself. My childhood friend and fellow Role Mommy Andrea actually devised this one, so here's the recipe and enjoy it - I'm savoring it right now! And by the way...Rachel Ray may have made a mint with those delectable 30 minute meals, but here at Role Mommy, if you can't cook it in 10 minutes or less, it's not worth the time...so without further ado, my recipe for...

ROLEMOMMY'S TURKEY PEPPERONI GRILLED CHEESE
Ingredients
2 Slices of Wonder Lite Bread - 40 calories each
1 slice of PollyO fat free mozzarella cheese - 35 calories
4 sliced grape tomatoes - 30 calories
5 pieces of Hormel turkey pepperoni - 30 calories
A few spritzes of fat free butter spray
Total calories: Under 200
Total Fat: Less than 3g

Directions:
Spray the two slices of bread with butter spray
Spray nonfat Pam on your frying pan
Slice the cheese
Put it on one slice of bread
Cover the cheese with tomatoes and turkey pepperoni
Place it in the frying pan and cover the bread with the other slice.
Use a spatula to flip it over
When both sides of the bread are golden brown and the cheese has melted, your sandwich is ready

Total prep and cook time - Less than 5 minutes.

And there you have it...a yummy lo-cal turkey pepperoni grilled cheese sandwich - a meal to make Jenny Craig proud.

To return to Role Mommy, Click Here.

More Parenting Tips and an Event Hosted by The Family Coach

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:13:00 +0000

Dear Family Coach,

My kids fight constantly. I can’t take it anymore. I feel more like a referee than a parent. What can I do to teach my kids to get along?
Peace-seeking mom

Dear Peace-seeking mom,
The other day my daughter Casey had a play date at our house. Her little friend, Samantha, was polite, cooperative and a delight to have around. At 5 o’clock, when her mother and little sister arrived, everything changed. She grabbed anything and everything her sister wanted. The screaming began instantly. Then Samantha decided she would just exclude her sister (but her sister wasn’t going to let that happen). So my daughter, Samantha and her little sister began a game of you-can’t-catch-me. Samantha shrieked and threw a tantrum whenever her sister got near. Her little sister cried every time they ran away and the mother tried unsuccessfully to intervene. After 10 minutes I was fed up.

Anyone who has more than one child or has siblings of his/her own knows this is a pretty common scene. The older child doesn’t want the younger around, and the younger only wants to do what bigger kids can. It gets out of control when parents try to intervene. Children see that they can gain their parents’ attention by bickering. The younger child generally annoys the older one without yelling or hitting until the older one breaks. A physical fight ensures. When the parent enters the room, he/she typically says one of three things:
Who started it? (A question guaranteed to yield an unusable answer.)
Stop fighting. I am tired of it. If you can’t get along I am going to . . . (but you never actually do)
________ (Insert the name of your older child), I am ashamed of you. I expect you to behave better.
Eventually parents feel like referees without actually solving any of the issues.

While there are several ways to minimize the amount of arguing among your children, there are some benefits to sibling rivalry. Children with siblings are forced to learn cooperation and conflict resolution at an early age. These are important life skills that your children will take with them to their jobs, marriages and community. When parents become overly involved they not only provide the (negative) attention their children seek, they also decrease the possibilities that their children learn to work it out on their own.

Here are some ways to begin to bring the peace back into your home.

Don’t pick a sides. Parents often try to figure out who is at fault and give them a stern word or even a punishment. The problem is that at least 95 percent of the time it is impossible to know how it began. Often one child is the instigator while the other takes it to the next level. Both are to blame (even if not equally). When a parent takes sides the children learn negative behavior=your attention. The more you intervene, the more you are actually encouraging them to fight. Stay neutral and your children will see that fighting isn’t a way to get you close.

Make everyone accountable for their behavior. Offer children a warning when you first hear an escalation brewing. If there’s no immediate resolution, provide a second chance. Should the argument continue, they both lose. So, for example, if they are bickering over a favorite Dora cup, no one gets to use it. If they are pushing each other on the couch while watching The Wizard of Oz, the TV is turned off. With consistency your children learn quickly that A. You will not get involved; and B. In the end they will lose even if they aren’t to “blame.” Through this process they will develop vital conflict resolution and sharing skills.

Foster a loving relationship among your children. This may seem obvious, but parents often forget to verbally remind their children that sibling support, respect, and love are vital. Praise your children when they are good to each other. If they fight often, work extra hard to catch them doing something kindhearted. This positive reinforcement is essential for breaking the negative attention/referee cycle.

Spend quality time with each child individually. One of the main reasons children argue is to get their parents’ attention. Often children feel they are competing with their brothers or sisters. By doling out attention separately, parents teach their children that they do not need to compete. Each night choose one child to get special time even if it is 15 minutes before bed. Pick a different child on Saturdays to take to the library or the ice cream parlor. Your children will relish this attention and will not feel so needy at other times.

Catherine Pearlman is the founder of The Family Coach which provides in-home assistance to families struggling with parenting issues. Catherine also reaches out to the community with seminars on a variety of issues. The topic for the next seminar on January 16th is Sibling Rivalry. If you are interested in attending or would like to contact Catherine visit her site at www.NYFamilyCoach.com

Catherine is hosting an upcoming event for parents on January 16 at "It's My Party" in Mamaroneck, NY. For details, see below.

“Sibling Rivalry: What you need to know to keep the peace.”

Does it seem like your kids fight every waking moment?

Do you dread even the shortest car ride with your children?

Do you feel more like a referee than a parent?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘Yes!’ this is a hands-on seminar not to be missed. Catherine Pearlman (aka The Family Coach) will explain why siblings fight, what parents do to encourage this behavior rather than discourage, and how to break the cycle of constant fighting.

By the end of the seminar, you will have a new appreciation for sibling dynamics and very straightforward tools to use to resolve disagreements. Learning these tools will improve your relationship with your children as well as their relationship with each other.

This workshop is perfect for parents of children aged 1-18.

Location: It’s My Party, 114 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck
When: January 16th, 2008, 7:30pm – 9pm.
Cost: $35 includes dinner
RSVP: Catherine@NYFamilyCoach.com or 914-433-4558. You can pay online at http://www.nyfamilycoach.com/templates/YellowBlue/payment.php or contact Catherine for other options.

Catherine Pearlman, LMSW has been working professionally with children and families for 14 years. Catherine started The Family Coach, LLC. which provides in-home assistance for a wide variety of problems, such as sleep issues, behavior challenges, ADHD, toilet training, separation anxiety, new sibling adjustments, new parent concerns and transitions from bottles and pacifiers. To learn more about Catherine's services or attend one of her seminars check out her website at http://www.nyfamilycoach.com/.

Surefire Tips to Keep Preschoolers Occupied While You're Prepping for the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 22:28:00 +0000

Keeping preschoolers entertained and preoccupied can be challenging while you wrap secret presents, shop, clean & decorate the house. Whether you need a few hours or just 5 minutes, grab precious time by following a few tips from the trenches courtesy of Role Mommy.

1) Shop & Swap. ‘Tis not the season to brave it alone. Set up a schedule with two or three family friends to host and swap group play dates while the other parents get time to shop alone or check into a spa for some relax rehab.
Parent’s Potential Time Grab: 3-6 hours

2) Give a little Christmas & Hanukah, right this very minute. Nothing holds their attention like an early holiday present. Here’s a gift from everyone’s favorite honey-lovin’ bear that will entertain preschoolers through the holidays and beyond. Pooh's Super Sleuth Christmas Movie is now available on DVD and it's the first time Pooh has appeared in a film in five years! The all-new holiday story takes preschoolers on a magical journey through the 100 acre wood with classic Disney pals Pooh and Tigger and some new friends. Plop down next to your preschooler as they watch Pooh and you sign holiday cards or take a break and watch it right along with them! Also a great movie to keep in the car for mobile viewing.
Parent’s Potential Time Grab: 1 hour

3) Deal cards. Here’s a two-fer that keeps preschoolers focused and delivers authentic holiday wishes. Ask your budding artist to create one-of-a-kind holiday cards or gift tags by equipping them with plain paper card stock, holiday stickers and appliqués, favorite character stickers, color copies of family photos and a glue stick. Keep it all in a large shoe box that they decorate themselves. Pull the box out any any time you need 30-minutes or an hour to shop online.
Parent’s Potential Time Grab: 1 hour

4) Picture Me Festive. When you need to hit the mall for the day, pack a little sketch pad and crayons for preschoolers to keep a picture diary of their day. Ask them to draw or color their favorite holiday scenes, window displays, people or events they see while shopping. As you tuck them into bed, ask them to share and “read” their picture diary back to you.
Parents Potential Time Grab: 5-10 precious minute intervals when they’re with you in the dressing room, when you’re at the cashier or waiting for your food order

5) Letter to Santa. It’s a classic and they do it every year. This year, bump it up a notch and have your preschooler draw or cut out pictures of their wish list from magazines and newspapers. If you’ve got digital kids, have them create a colorful postcard to email to Santa. Crayola.com and Disney.go.com are both treasure troves of ideas and templates that are easy for preschoolers to master while your cook dinner or clean up holiday baking.

Parents Potential Time Grab: 30 minutes

Have a wonderful holiday season and don't stress out! Keep your kids occupied and trust us, you will stay sane too! To enter to win a Disney DVD, Click Here or to return to Role Mommy, Click here.

Chef Mama Approach for the upcoming holidays...FOCUS!

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:08:00 +0000

Joining our incredible parenting contributor community is Shelleen McHale, better know as Chef Mama. This month, she offers Thanksgiving decorating tips and recipes that will put a little zest into the holiday festivities!

Do you ever come into the holidays and feel like you are training for a marathon? It is almost like taking a big breath for a month and then letting it out after the holidays are over. Let’s focus on Thanksgiving first…one thing at a time, as I say to my kids. Or better yet…focus! Just focus on one holiday at a time.

As moms we have the tendency to try and do so many things at once which causes us to go through feelings of being overwhelmed and then feelings of guilt. This holiday season I want to help remove some of the stress and implant the joy that holidays are suppose to bring…family, friends, smiles, stories, great meals and the making of memories.

As we get close to Thanksgiving, I would like to challenge you to come up with ways to express thankfulness. I am going to share a couple simple ideas but would love to hear from other moms that want to share their ideas. Please send your ideas to Shelleen@chefmama.com and maybe we will even supply the ideas to you through Role Mommy. And then, I will give some fabulous turkey left over ideas.

The Thankful Tree or Wreath

This is a simple way to get everyone that will be together on Thanksgiving the opportunity to share what it is they are thankful for. Don’t worry, if you are shy or know other family members that are, there is a way to share without people having to know who shared what.

Thankful Tree
• Leaves that are pre-cut our of paper or light foam (you can use edible leaves as well and add to cakes, cupcakes, etc.)
• Permanent Markers
• Fake tree cut out of paper, poster board or large piece of foam. You can get real creative and use a real branch too.
• As the guest arrive, give each one 2-3 leaves and ask them to write what they are most thankful for this year.
• Have a basket or bowl for them to place their written on leaves in.
• You can now do one of two things:
o Place randomly 2-3 leaves next to each persons plate, and when everyone sits down for dinner you go around the table and ask each person to read their leaves. **Far too often we are just happy to have the meal on the table and we just dive in without thinking. This is a great way to get everyone to stop and think.
o Attach the leaves to your tree and have it in the center of the table. Ask each person to choose one of the leaves that they felt was the best and read it out loud.

Thankful Wreath
• Same as the tree, only it is made via a wreath format.
• You can use leaves or hand prints to make the actual wreath
• Follow same instructions for sharing as the Tree

Now for Chef Mama’s Frugal Turkey Leftovers Recipes

Lunch Idea: Turkey Tortellini Soup
Ingredients: 1 bag frozen mixed veggies
1 package frozen cheese tortellini
1 large can chicken broth
Cut up leftover turkey
Spices to taste salt pepper Italian seasoning
Directions: Add broth, frozen veggies and turkey to large saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat. Add tortellini and spices and boil 10-12 minutes. Serve.

***While soup is boiling you can make or make another day****
Turkey Salad Pita Pockets
Ingredients: Leftover turkey (cut up)
Mayonnaise
Diced apple and almonds
Pita Bread
Directions: Mix turkey apples pecans and mayo. Stuff mixture into pita pockets. Amounts of each ingredient will vary with the amount of leftover turkey you use and how many people you are making it for.

Dinner Idea:
Cheesy Turkey and Rice Casserole
Ingredients: Left over cut up turkey
1 cup instant rice
1 cup water
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Frozen veggie of choice (optional)
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions: Mix rice and water in casserole dish. Add mushroom soup and veggies. Stir. Add Turkey and stir. Sprinkle top with cheese and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F. Serve.

Happy Thanksgiving to all you Chef Mamas! For more great recipe tips, visit Chef Mama today!

KidsHealth.org

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:16:00 +0000

This morning, when my son woke up with a rash on his nose, cheeks and chin, I went straight to my computer. Unfortunately, we've had an outbreak of Staph infections in our neighborhood and my son, who's been battling a cold for two weeks now suddenly woke up with a sore on his nose and pimples on his face. With the help of Google, I was directed to http://www.kidshealth.org/ - an amazing website that gives you the symptoms to every ailment your child could potentially encounter and even tells you what the possible treatment will be for each illness. I then typed in Staph infection and tons of information popped up. Of course, that doesn't take the place of a doctor visit but when the pediatrician's office doesn't open until 9am, sometimes it helps to have a website that could spell out exactly what your child may be suffering from and offer short term treatment options while you wait to be seen by your doctor. So any time you want to look up something about your child's health, visit http://www.kidshealth.org/ - a fabulous find for parents!

PROACTIVE PARENTING FOUNDER SHARON SILVER OFFERS ADVICE ON TEACHING YOUR KIDS HOW TO STAY SAFE!

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:56:00 +0000

One word can help save your preschooler’s life.
I’m not kidding–it happened to me!

STOP—STOP! DANGER—DANGER!

Every parent screams those words hoping to stop a child in their tracks and prevent them from getting hurt.
That’s exactly what all parents are supposed to do, stop their children from getting hurt when danger is just ahead. However, there’s a problem with just screaming stop or danger, and most parents don’t realize it until it’s almost too late. That’s what happened to me. I had to watch as my 3-year-old was almost killed because I didn’t think about how he would react to me screaming, stop—danger!

Who knows why children stop listening. Maybe they simply choose to ignore you or maybe they’re at a stage in their development where they’re more interested in a power struggle than listening. Either one of those scenarios could cause you to have to watch as your child walks directly into danger.

Screaming DANGER—DANGER doesn’t tell your child what you want her to do instead of what she’s doing, and it doesn’t do it in less than 1.5 seconds. If you try to explain what she should be doing instead, during this moment of danger, you could literally watch as she gets hurt or worse.

So what can a parent do?
Parents can use a word that will stop a preschooler in her tracks, share all the information about what you want her to do instead, AND it’s all done in 1.5 seconds.

What’s the word? The word is FREEZE!

The word FREEZE works ONLY if it’s saved for a situation where real danger is seconds away, like it was with my son. He stepped right in front of a car to grab a ball. By saying FREEZE he stayed where he was just long enough for me to literally grab him and pull him back up onto the sidewalk.

Saying FREEZE reduces the possibility of ignoring you, BUT only if you teach your children the freeze game and then NEVER play the game again, unless needed!

Here’s what you do.
Take your children outside one afternoon and tell them you want to play a fun game with them. Don’t say what the purpose of the game is or you may scare them or cause them to ignore you.

The FREEZE game is the same game you played as a child, with one part removed. In this “save your life” version of the game a parent is the one who runs around trying to freeze the children. If your preschooler wants to unfreeze a sibling, like the real game, tell him this is a different type of FREEZE game, one where only parents can freeze and unfreeze children.

Play several rounds until you’re sure they’ve learned the game well, and then go back inside and don’t mention anything else about the game.

Over the next couple of days randomly yell out FREEZE a couple times, to make sure your children do indeed freeze for about 3 seconds or less. If they don’t, take them out and teach them again and again, until they understand.

Then tell them, “Mommy and Daddy will never be playing the FREEZE game—as a fun game again.
Say, “You’re never allowed to ignore that word!” When you hear FREEZE, it means Mommy or Daddy’s eyes see something your eyes don’t see—and you’re in danger. You must FREEZE your body in whatever position you’re in when you hear that word, and stay frozen until Mommy or Daddy unfreezes you!

Notice how I explained all of this by using very basic words. Parents need to remember to scale down their language at important times like this, so a child can really understand. Also, make sure to yell out FREEZE every once and a while to make sure they still remember what to do.

My 3 yr old is now 24 and very much alive—thanks to the word FREEZE!

Sharon Silver is the founder and director of Proactive Parenting. For more solutions like this, go to http://www.proactiveparenting.net/.

Nutrition Corner with Mom RD

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 23:29:00 +0000

Meet new mom and registerd dietitian, Barrie Wolfe, MS RD who is on hand to answer all your questions about staying healthy and losing weight when you're trying to keep up with your kids! Check out some of the great questions Barrie answers from our readers plus she offers a top 10 list of ways you can stay fit even when you're too busy multi-tasking to think about diet and exercise! If you have a question for Barrie, send it to us at beth@rolemommy.com.

Dear Mom RD,
I am still trying to lose the last few pounds that I gained from my pregnancy. The problem is that I find myself eating my husband’s stash of cookies or ice cream when I get hungry at night after the baby is in for the night. What can I do to make this habit history?
-Late Night Snacker

Dear Late Night Snacker,

Your issue is quite common, especially in families where their nutrition priorities are not in sync. In an ideal world I would tell you to remove all trigger foods (meaning food that tempt you and likely go against your weight loss goals due to their high calorie content) from your kitchen. But alas, in the real world we live with other people (husbands, children, etc) who may demand these foods. Although it is an excellent idea to get your husband and entire family on board with your healthy eating kick, it is reasonable for others to want to have special treats available to them. If your husband wants to continue to have his treats in the kitchen-that is OK. You need to be prepared and make sure you have healthy alternatives that you can reach for when the cravings strike. For example, stock your freezer with low calorie frozen treats. I like Weight Watchers’ Giant Fudge Bars which tastes rich and creamy for a mere 110 calories. Sugar free pudding cups are another great option as well as sugar free hot chocolate. Try slicing an apple and sprinkling cinnamon on it and microwave for 3-4 minutes. This simple apple treats tastes like the inside of an apples pie and will make your kitchen smell delicious too! The bottom line is always make sure your kitchen is stocked with healthy snack alternatives just for you.

Dear Mom RD,
I keep hearing how important it is to eat breakfast, but I am having a hard time deciding what to have so I grab a bagel and run. Any easy breakfast ideas for this working mom?
Anne

Dear Anne,

You heard right! Breakfast is perhaps the most important meal of the day as it gives your body the fuel it needs to run well. Studies show that meal skippers often wind up eating more calories than non-skippers. Skippers find themselves so hungry by the time they are confronted with food they overeat. The fact that you already eating breakfast is a great start. The problem with a large bagel is that it is lacking protein and fiber which should be in every meal. The bagel gets broken down fairly quickly in to sugar so you will most likely get a bolt of energy only to crash shortly after breakfast. It also contains quite a bit of calories without much nutritional value. Your ideal breakfast should contain a protein (in the form of dairy for example), whole grains and fruit and a bit of healthy fat.

Great energy boosting breakfast examples are:
Breakfast Sandwich: Whole grain English muffin with egg whites or eggbeaters and an orange.
Healthy Breakfast parfait: Combine 1 cup whole grain cereal (try Kashi brand or Fiber One) mixed into one cup on low fat yogurt (try Dannon Lite and Fit or Fage Greek style yogurt)
Waffles and Berries: Toast 2 whole grain frozen waffles and serve with 1 cup of berries. May serve with 2 tablespoons light syrup and 1 cup berries.
Peanut butter sandwich: 2 slices whole grain bread spread with 1-2 tablespoons of naural peanut butter.

Dear Mom RD:
My 7 year old is such a picky eater. After cooking what I think is a fabulous meal he refuses to eat it and demands noodles and butter. Help!!!

Stressed out!.

Dear Stressed Out,

First of all, please know this is a common problem that almost all families deal with at one point! Your child is starting to develop his own food preferences not to mention testing your control over his eating options. The best thing to do for any child who is a picky eater is to sit down with him at relaxed time during the week and ask him to come up with a grocery shopping list with you. Tell him that you want his help in choosing what meals you will prepare and serve as well as what snack items to have on hand. Try to build recipes around his preferences (within reason). Of course it may help to give him to have options like chicken, fish, turkey or tofu to help narrow down his choices or else you may end up with a meal consisting of chocolate cake and ice cream! Ask him to come food shopping with you too. By including him in the decision making process, you may take the pressure off of you and let him feel like he is playing an important part in the family dinner. He will be more likely to try the meal knowing he had a hand in creating it. While you are at the supermarket or preparing dinner with him try to talk about the importance of trying new foods and how essential it is to eat healthy to help him grow strong. If you still feel that your son is not broadening his food horizons make sure he is taking a daily multivitamin as prescribed by his pediatrician. The fact that he sees his family eat a healthy well balanced diet is going to help also as parents are their natural role models.

Top 10 Nutrition Tips For Moms
Barrie Wolfe MS RD

1. Never skip a meal. Would you every think of letting your child skip breakfast? Certainly not! Always start your day by eating breakfast. No excuses. It gets your metabolism moving and gives you energy to get your day going. Studies show that meal skippers end up eating more calories than non meal skippers. Your body realizes it is missing calories and you wind up very hungry and eating whatever you want!

2. Divide your dish! If you ever are having a hard time deciding what to eat at lunch or dinner simply fill half of your plate with salad and vegetables. The rest of the plate should be ¼ starch (like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, baked potato) and ¼ protein (like fish, chicken or turkey).

3. Create a safe food environment. Remove “junk food” like chips, chocolate, cookies, soda and the like from the places you hang out like your kitchen, desk, bedroom or car. If the food is staring you in the face, you will likely eat it at a moment of weakness. If your kids or husband demand that you have these foods available just make sure you have your stash of healthy snacks on hand when a weak moment strikes. Remember-all foods can fit into your diet- but if these foods are consumed daily, you will likely not reach your health goals. Keep healthy foods and drinks at arms reach when possible.

4. If you “slip up” get back on track immediately. Most people trying to change their eating habits become so upset with themselves for getting off track at a meal or event they decide to make the remainder of the day or week a food “free for all” and sabotage their good efforts. When you feel you ate a bit more that you planned too, please move on! We are not perfect and that is OK! Get back to your healthy eating plan right away and you will still make the progress you desire.

5. Lose the diet mentality. “Diet” connotes a short term change. You want to make changes that will last a lifetime, not for a few weeks or months. You are creating healthy life style changes that will hopefully improve your overall health, wellness and self esteem. If anyone notices your new eating habits-let them know you are trying to get healthier rather than “you are on a diet.” The last thing you want to instill in your kids is that dieting and food deprivation should be emulated. Never forgot that we are children’s role models. Set a good example by choosing healthy foods not but dieting!

6. Choose your calories wisely. Let’s say you love chocolate cake. You are at a party where your friends are enjoying vanilla cake. Most people would simply eat the cake because it is there! This is a mistake. Try to only indulge in the food you love and don’t waste your time (or calories) on foods that really don’t tempt your palate. By simply giving your self permission to eat the foods you really love when they are around-you won’t be as tempted to eat the foods you don’t even love just because they are there. This mentality will ultimately help you save calories and reach your weight loss and maintenance goals.

7. Drink water. Most adults need 6-8 cups of fluid daily. Water is your best bet for hydration as it provides no calories and is void of artificial sweeteners. It can help with weight loss because it is very filling and it helps to flush away the waste as you lose weight. Water also promotes regularity. Some people even confuse thirst with hunger which is yet another reason to drink up! Please don’t waste your calories on juices which pack in about 120 basically empty calories per cup. Eat fruit instead which provided filling fiber too.

8. Get moving. If your doctor permits, get moving! Exercise burns calories, tones, and improves mood in most people. Aim for 1 hour of exercise a day or most days of the week. Start slow if this is new to you. If 1 hour it too much for your schedule, try 20 minutes intervals throughout the day. Every little bit helps! Look for local Stroller Strides group to find walking budding or join a gym with safe babysitting services if possible.

9. Keep food diary. Journaling what you eat, drink and exercise will keep you on track and accountable for your actions. Life is too busy to remember what you are for dinner last Tuesday! People that have lost weight and kept it off for years report food diaries were an important part of their achievements.

10. Ask for help! Consult with a nutritionist if making healthy food choices is npt coming easy to you. Sometimes it helps to talk to a professional who can help arrange meal ideas, snack suggestions and shopping lists that are created especially for your tastes and needs. To find a registered dietitian in your area check out eatright.org to find a professional in your neighborhood.

Nursery 101 Founder Vera Kessler Offers Tips on Preparing for Baby on a Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 01:44:00 +0000

NEW ROLE MOMMY COLUMNIST! NURSERY 101 FOUNDER VERA KESSLER

With the packages of diapers, containers of formula and an array of adorable infant clothes begging to be bought, having a baby can be an expensive endeavor. Remember that you still have years ahead when your kids will need developmental toys, piano lessons and braces, not to mention money for college tuition, so hold on to your purse strings. Now is the time to put your strategic financial skills to the test and prepare for your baby on a budget. Whether you’re pregnant with your first baby or just had number three, here are some smart ways to save:

1. Invest in furniture that grows with your child. Cribs are one of the most exepnsive items that parents purchase for their baby’s nursery. A great way to save money in this department is to invest in a convertible crib. This type of crib starts off as an ideal place for baby to sleep, and then changes into a toddler bed, day bed and full bed as your child grows. Instead of buying multiple beds of various sizes, a convertible crib is one piece of furniture that will accommodate your child as they grow.

2. Make sure that your furniture is multi-functional. With all the clothes and toys your baby accumulates, you are going to need a lot of storage space. The problem is that most moms simply don’t have enough space to store all their baby gear. That’s where multi-functional furniture comes into play. You can hide a host of toy trains, socks, and bibs in storage draws underneath cribs and changing tables. A dust ruffle on a crib does wonders when it comes to hiding tupperware containers filled with outgrown hats and onesies. Make each piece of furniture count by taking advantage of built-in compartments and storage space.

3. Buy your furniture from a reputable source that offers free or low cost delivery and set up. If you do your research, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that there are retail stores that will deliver and set up your nursery furniture for free or at a reasonable price. Note, that some stores may require a minimum purchase or that you live within a certain proximity to their location. If you should happen to be lucky enough to live near such a store, put them on speed dial.

4. Buy frequently used items in bulk. If you haven’t done so already, become a member of a wholesale retail chain like Costco or Sam’s Club. These warehouses allow you to buy the goods you need, like mountains of diapers and formula, at lower rates than you would find in a supermarket. The only downside is that many of these warehouse stores don’t take coupons.

5. Don’t buy everything you see. New and expecting moms often have shopping fever when they walk into a baby store. The adorable plush toy, the cute dress with the flowers, and the precious bouncy seat with the musical fish all seem to be calling out, “Buy me, buy me.” Before you give in to your whim to own everything baby, stop and think, “Do I really need a diaper warmer?” “Can I truly live without another musical toy?” The answer is yes. There is no shortage of companies trying to convince you that you need every product known to man in order to raise the “best” baby. Don’t buy into the commercial hype. Save your money by limiting yourself to essential purchases. Then, if grandma just happens to buy you that expensive new diaper bag, smile and enjoy. Afterall, you didn’t buy it, it was a gift.

Above all, enjoy your experience as a mom. The precious moments are fleeting and before you know it, your little babies will be asking you to borrow your car. And by the way, they’ll ask, “Can I have 10 bucks?” If you follow the smart tips for saving above, you’ll be able to confidently reply, “Sure, I’ve been saving up years for this.”

School Year Resolutions - Routines for Reading from the Creator of Tessy & Tab

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 21:41:00 +0000

We'd like to introduce a brand new Role Mommy contributor - Peggy MacDonald, the co-founder of Blue Lake Publishing, the co-creator of the Tessy and Tab Reading series and a mom of three. Peggy is going to offer monthly columns on our site that'll get your kids on the right track to reading!

ROUTINES FOR READING

September is a bit like the New Year for me as I keep thinking of "New School Year Resolutions" to integrate into our lives: new strategies for getting out of the house in the morning without panicking, planning our after school activities so they are actually manageable, and creating new bedtime routines to help us all get more sleep!

So now is the perfect time to think about setting new routines focused on reading. Here are a few simple ideas:

Read at least 20 minutes every day!
Nothing new about this recommendation but be sure to make it part of a routine. Set a designated time to read to or with your preschooler as well as one for your older children to read 20 minutes on their own.

Make regular trips to the library.
Choose a day of the week (or month, as is the case for me!) to make a trip to the library. Helps keep fresh reading material available for your designated reading time and it can be like going to a candy store for a toddler!

Integrate reading in other activities.
Keep some reading material in the car for when you are shuffling kids to and from school and activities. If you have a game night, look for games that help children learn about letters or words like the I Spy Preschool Game or Scrabble Junior.

But most of all, keep it fun. Happy reading!

About Peggy and Blue Lake Children’s Publishing - SPECIAL OFFER!
Peggy MacDonald is a co-founder of Blue Lake Children’s Publishing and mother of three. Based in Portland, Oregon, Blue Lake publishes a twice-monthly magazine for preschoolers called The Tessy & Tab Reading Club which is designed to help children ages 2-6 build the Six Skills for Early Literacy. Role Mommy readers will receive thirteen months for the price of twelve (that’s 2 free issues!) by entering the coupon code RoleMommy07 when placing an order online at www.tessyandtab.com.

Sprint No Cell Phone Experiment Week Starts this Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 23:13:00 +0000

LIFE B.C. - BEFORE CELLPHONES...

What would you do if you worked for a wireless phone service company and they told you that you had been selected to participate in a unique experiment where you wouldn't have access to your cell phone, Blackberry or Treo for an entire week? Well that's exactly what Sprint is doing this week with several employees who are sharing brutally honest stories of how they're barely coping without access to their trusty mobile phones or PDA's.

Sprint's Speed Blogger experiment features hilarious and harrowing stories of employees who seem to be suffering from withdrawal because they couldn't check the weather, visit their favorite websites from the palm of their hand or access their voicemail instantly. While I felt bad for one dad who couldn't alert his daughter he was going to be late to pick her up from camp, I began to realize that this experiment is actually a really great way to show how much we all rely on technology and how Sprint's line of wireless products can make our lives a whole lot easier. According to Roni Singleton, a spokesperson for Sprint, she says the company thought it would be a "fun experiment" for their employees that would give them "a whole new appreciation for their cell phone. As much as we love it, we take it for granted," she adds.

On the flip side, just like a summer vacation, this self imposed one week detox from cell phone use may keep this distracted generation of Sprint bloggers more in tune with their families and perhaps make them appreciate life B.C. (before cellphones). It also gives them the chance to take a break from their 24 hour work-day for a change - note to self - stop checking to see if the BlackBerry light is flashing at 3am.

The blogger experiment also kicks off a brand new online contest where everyday consumers can share their personal stories about how they're using their Sprint phone in an innovative way. To register, you'll need to subscribe to Sprint or own a Sprint product - which pretty much stinks for me because my classic BlackBerry Meltdown tale totally could have taken the grand prize.

In this interactive online contest, 53 million Sprint customers will get the opportunity to answer this question for a chance to win the latest phones, cash prizes and more. Whether it’s teaching your grandfather how to text message so he can keep in touch while you’re away at school, navigating with a mobile GPS application in an unfamiliar city on your way to a last-minute client meeting, or diverting a business catastrophe while away from the office using Sprint Mobile Broadband service. Each one of these scenarios underscores the importance of wireless technology for Americans.

Dubbed “SprintSpeed Stories™,” the competition seeks customers to submit their own interesting and unique stories on how Sprint’s wireless technology has enhanced their lives for a chance to win one of several prize packages and the $5,000 grand prize. SprintSpeed Stories follows on the heels of the 2006 Sprint Productivity Survey which found that 84 percent of the American wireless subscribers polled say technology is vital to their productivity and helps them get the most of their lives in and out of work. Most notably, the survey revealed that mobile phones are being used to text message, send and receive e-mail, get the news, access the Wireless Web, listen to music, watch live TV and on-demand video and other crucial applications for the wireless lifestyle. Life goes by fast, and SprintSpeed puts business and consumers in control so they can live life at their speed.

Customers can visit http://www.sprintspeedstories.com/ to enter the contest and post their stories between now and Oct. 26. Once on the site, they simply choose a category, enter their stories and then enhance the stories with photos or video if they choose. SprintSpeed Stories submissions will be posted online for the public to view and vote. The Top 10 favorites in each category as determined by the public will be turned over to a panel of expert judges, to be announced at a later date. The judges will then determine the winners for each of eight categories as well as a grand prize winner based on the submission’s rating, the uniqueness/originality of use of a Sprint product or service, the depth/quality of the story being told and the creative use of video or images to support the story.

The SprintSpeed Stories competition categories are:

· MOBILE U - How students are using wireless in school
· MOMS 2.0 - Moms communicating on-the-go
· FAMILY UNITS - How the wireless family stays in touch
· 1st RESPONSE - How wireless helps you help others
· WIRED-LESS BIZ - Getting the job done better with wireless tools
· SO GLOBAL - How you keep your roots planted without wires
· PIX & FLIX - Unique camera phone stories
· WALKIE–TALKIE - Share your chirp story

To read the stories of the Sprint bloggers who are about to enter day two of their cell phone deprived week, then Click Here. And to enter into the Sprint Speed Story contest, then click here now and share your tale or vote on your favorite.

Princess Katie & Racer Steve Hit the NYC Concert Circuit!

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 01:44:00 +0000

If you're ready to check out a brand new band for kids and parents that's taking the kiddy market by storm, then hurry now to purchase tickets for "Princess Katie & Racer Steve.” They've just been chosen as Parenting Magazine's Pick For Best Music CD (Songs For The Coolest Kids) and billed as Disney's FamilyFun Magazine's "Our Favorite Things."

Princess Katie tells us, "We do a lot of concerts around the city and they're so much fun - not only for the kids, but the parents as well. It's real music with kid-friendly lyrics, high-energy performance and lots of laughs."

This month Princess Katie & Racer Steve entertained families in Central Park and Union Square and coming up on September 29, they'll be appearing at the Helen Mills Theater (139 W. 26th) at 11am for Princess Katie's Surprise Birthday Party! To order tickets, visit www.princessracer.com. Have a great time...and tell them that Role Mommy sent you!

Rolemommy & Supernanny Team Up to Find Neighborhood Families in Need of Parenting Support!

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 02:01:00 +0000

Rolemommy.com is partnering with Supernanny.com to search America for families to be featured in their own episode of ABC’s SUPERNANNY, premiering its fourth season later this year. The show is looking for neighborhoods of families who all can use Supernanny’s help; families who are preparing for a big event like a wedding or family reunion; sports-obsessed parents; parents with mean girls or bullying boys, teens and pre-teens. Casting producers are searching the country to find families from a variety of backgrounds to offer Jo Frost, America’s number one nanny, the challenge of her career. Interested families who are in need of help with their out of control kids may apply from anywhere via http://www.supernanny.com/, or moms and dads can call 877/NANNY-TIME (1-877-626-6984).

Doodlebops to Hit NYC in October!

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 01:02:00 +0000

Get ready to rock along with the Doodlebops as they get on the bus to tour North America with their exciting live concert. Due to their wildly successful first live tour with sold out performances across the United States, the Doodlebops are hitting the road once again later this year through the spring of 2008 to bring their music back to their fans, and will kick it off in New York City. Straight from their hit TV show on Playhouse Disney, Deedee, Rooney, and Moe Doodle are getting back on the bus, ready to sing and dance in an interactive concert experience that will have kids and their parents rockin’ and boppin’ together! This candy-colored trio is sure to deliver an unforgettable performance that will be a treat for the whole family.

Tickets are on sale right now for two performances only at the WAMU Theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, October 6.

The New York City performance dates will kick off the 2007-2008 North American tour of Doodlebops Live!, produced by Feld Entertainment, Inc. Show locations, dates and times for the entire national tour are available by visiting www.doodlebops.com

“The Doodlebops” was developed to engage kids through real music inspired by legendary artists, while imparting positive social values and messages. With zany antics and overwhelming enthusiasm, this colorful and creative group entertains young fans with their unique mixture of music, dance and comedy while focusing on pro-social themes in a way that their preschooler audiences can relate to.

The live action series produced by Cookie Jar Entertainment and airs on Disney Channel, features the three fun-loving band mates-- Deedee, Rooney, and Moe Doodle who live out their daily lives as the biggest phenomena in kids’ pop music. As this sensational music group takes to the stage, pint-sized fans across the country will be hoppin’ out of their seats boppin’ to their favorite rockin’ band!

TICKET PRICES: $15.00, $27.00, $40.00, $54.00, $69.00. *All tickets subject to Madison Square Garden Service Charge fee.
Show Date & Times: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2007 at 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM

Tickets for Doodlebops are on sale NOW. Call Ticketmaster Charge By Phone at 212-307-7171 or visit www.ticketmaster.com for more information.

ABC NEWS TALK BACK WANTS YOU TO SUBMIT VIDEOS!

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 21:14:00 +0000

Here's the 411 on an opportunity with ABC News for parents of teens!

ABC News in New York would like to extend an opportunity for you and other parents you know to participate in this unique programming opportunity. We want you to "Talk Back!"

Are your kids heading off to college or leaving home for the first time?

How do you think they will they react to their newfound independence?

How will you? Share with us your experiences of this life-stage
separation.

If you're a parent with these questions, ask "Good Morning America" Parenting Contributor Ann Pleshette Murphy and she may offer you on-air solutions on how to get some "Parenting Perspectives" on her new show on ABC NewsNow.

Deadline: Tuesday, August 7th.

ABC News is specifically requesting 15-45 second VIDEO comments or
photos.

HOW TO SUBMIT VIDEOS:
1) Via your cell phone: icaught@abcnews.go.com
2) Via the web:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/BeSeenBeHeard/story?id=3421741

Start sending in your videos today - who knows, you may wind up on TV!

Meet Our Newest Contributor...The Family Coach

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:39:00 +0000

Meet our latest contributor to our site, Catherine Pearlman, LMSW who is better known as the Family Coach! Catherine is a Licensed Social Worker, who has been working professionally with children and families for 14 years. During that span, she has used her skills in myriad settings, including schools, camps, Boys and Girls Clubs and in the homes of families.

After seeing so many families - including her own - struggle with similar issues, Catherine founded The Family Coach, LLC, to help parents solve the everyday problems that many of us experience.

Catherine is available in the New York area for private consultation and she's now joining Role Mommy as our Family Coach contributor who will answer your parenting questions and share advice on how to deal with stressful situations that are often accompanied with raising children. So without further ado, here's our first letter to The Family Coach...

Dear Family Coach:

My 6 ½-year-old son is a wonderful boy, usually full of energy and charm. However, he is also very sensitive. When he gets upset at something, his reaction often seems disproportionate to the disappointment. It also tends to last a long time, altering his mood for long stretches of the day. Is this normal behavior, and if not, what can I do to change it? I worry that his inability to handle everyday disappointments will interfere with his social skills with other children outside the family.

Concerned Mom, New Rochelle, NY

Dear Concerned Mom,

Let’s start off by saying your son is by all means “normal”. While he may often appear to be a big boy who goes off to school on his own, he is still very early in the process of learning how to negotiate the world. He sounds as if he has a sensitive temperament. That means that he may feel things differently or more strongly than others. We are all born with a temperament that cannot necessarily be changed. The truth is that your son is handling his disappointments, but in his own way. If your son displays a sensitive nature, it will be beneficial for both of you to learn ways to help him manage his feelings. The more you can understand and work with his temperament and not strain against it, the easier it will be for your son to let out his feelings in a traditionally appropriate way.

Additionally, often when children (adults too) have an overblown reaction it is usually because some other force is at work. Feeling tired, hungry or ill can deplete everyone’s coping mechanisms. Also, holding in feelings of anger or disappointment for an extended period of time can cause an explosion that often seems ridiculous relating to the moment.

There are several ways you can help prevent overreactions as well as some strategies to calm him down when he is upset. Here are a few:

1. Sensitive children tend to be sensitive in more than one area. Make sure that a sensitive child’s needs are met promptly by being proactive (not reactive) in feeding, putting down for a nap, dressing comfortably, etc. For example, if he usually eat lunch at 12 noon, don’t start preparing it at 12:10. Waiting just ten minutes more for lunch can ruin an afternoon.

2. During a time when your child is not engaged in a tantrum, try to talk with him about coping. Together you can explore how he feels immediately before the meltdown, if there are any signs that it is coming, ways he can let you know, and tricks that might help him calm down. He may tell you that he would like time alone to regroup. Agree to give him five minutes on the clock and use a timer. The sound of the bell will alert him that he has been reset and he can come back. Trying to coax, bride, or reason with him will only make him go deeper into his hole.

3. Talk to your son about how everyone has feelings and that there are many positive ways to deal with them. Some people play the piano to calm down, while others ride their bike. Some need a quiet place to get their thoughts in order. Others like to be surrounded by people listening to them talk. Remember that you son may have a different way of expressing himself. Help him figure that out. One way is to hang a feelings chart in his room. It has 20 or so drawn faces depicting different feelings: surprise, sad, angry, thrilled, etc. This chart is helpful in getting children to recognize a feeling when it comes their way. It can be easier to see the feeling in someone else’s face. If your son understands his feelings more, he might be more likely to share them or better equipped to deal with them.

If you'd like to contact The Family Coach with a parenting question that you've been having trouble solving the email us at beth@rolemommy.com. You never know, your letter may make it in the next edition of Role Mommy 411!

Role Mommy on the Run Podcast - How to Start a Franchise

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 12:40:00 +0000

Listen in on our latest podcast when we meet Therese Hunersen, a franchise owner of "Let's Dish" - an innovative new company that enables you to prepare gourmet meals for your family (or yourself) with ease. Therese tells us how she head about this fabulous business and how she was able to launch the first Let's Dish location in New York! She also gives tips on starting a franchise so if you are itching to start a business, then Click Here to find out about how you can do it! And, if you're in the New York area, stop by on Thursday, July 26 when Beth is on hand for a book signing of Peeing in Peace that'll include an inspiring and entertaining dish session with moms. Let's Dish is located at 450 Central Avenue. Call now to reserve a space at 914-722-MEAL (6325).

STOP THE WHINING! Tips from The Go To Mom, Kimberley Blaine

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:49:00 +0000

We recently featured Kimberley Blaine, better known as The Go To Mom on our blog talk radio show. To listen to the show click here...or if you'd like to check out some of Kimberly's tips on how to stop kids from whining - then read her tips below!

First determine if your child is hungry/thirsty, tired, physically uncomfortable (hot, itchy shirt, tight clothes etc.) or over stimulated (too many people present, or at one location for a very long period of time). If so, meet child’s needs immediately.

If whining is for attention:

Let your child know that you can’t understand what she is saying when her words sound like that.

Ask your child to use her regular voice.

If she continues to whine, simply state, “when you use your regular voice, I will listen, but when you whine, I can’t hear what you are saying.”

Once your child uses her regular voice, validate her current feelings and continue to listen. Example, “You’re sad that your friends left the park early, what would you like to do now?”

Setting the “no whining standard” early, through conversation with your child is important to potentially prevent whining from becoming a way to get attention.

If at another date, your child slips into whining again, simply remind her of “how you can hear them best.” Once the whining ceases, a simple statement such as, “thank you for using a regular voice this time,” is appropriate. Excessive praise is not necessary.

Copyright, Kimberley Clayton Blaine, 2007

CALLING ALL PARTRIDGE FAMILY FANS!!! CHANCE FOR YOU & YOUR KID TO BECOME STARS!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:26:00 +0000

Just received an email from a brand new reality show that's holding a casting call for kids and their parents! Here's the scoop right from VH1...

Now Casting!

VH1 & DANNY BONADUCE ARE SEARCHING THE COUNTRY FOR THE MOST TALENTED KID (AND THEIR SUPPORTIVE PARENT!)

We are seeking talented kids between the ages of 9 -13 years old who can sing, act or dance.

Kids will be auditioning with a parent, who must be very supportive of their kids being in this business and have a big personality themselves.
**Role is for the kid and the parent**

Email the following information about you and your child to:

NEXTCHILDSTARNY@GMAIL.COM

(Be sure to include the following)
Name, Age, Occupation,
Phone Number, Hometown
Attach a recent picture
Be sure to tell us why you are America’s Next Child Star!!

Please contact us IMMEDIATELY to set up a brief phone interview.

**Shoot is scheduled between 8/6 – 8/31 and is subject to change. This will all take place in and around Southern California.**

OUR LATEST PODCAST! GET THE 411 ON PARENTING & WORK!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:03:00 +0000

Listen in to our most recent Blog Talk Radio show when we meet the women behind three amazing websites...Babycenter.com, Care.com and Mom Corps! Guests include: Linda J. Murray - editor in chief of Baby Center - the #1 pre-natal and early childhood resource on the web! We'll also meet Donna, Levin, VP of Operations for Care.com, a site that help you find the right care and services for yourself and your family. Also on hand is Linda Caruso, Vice President of Mom Corps - an amazing resource for parents looking to still pursue their career but on a flexible schedule.

Coming up next Friday is a new show...Ask the GotoMom with Licensed child therapist and videographer extraordinaire, Kimberly Blaine! Our first topic du juor...How to stop your kids from whining!!! If you have questions for Kimberly, then email us at beth@rolemommy.com or call into the show at 718-664-9500. Hope to hear from you!

Find a Better Balance in Your Life with Working Mother Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Sat, 19 May 2007 21:27:00 +0000

Want to discover how can finally achieve a better balance in your life? All you need to do is take a look at this month's edition of Working Mother Magazine. From picking up great parenting tips on your commute (which includes a quote from me!), to financial advice for the future, to dealing with overscheduling, Click Here to read all the tips for finding balance without losing your marbles! To return to our home page, Click Here.

Take Back Your Life and Avoid Becoming a Sourpuss! Just in Time for Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Thu, 10 May 2007 12:23:00 +0000

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and while most moms are busy taking care of everyone else’s needs, we say it’s time to give yourself a “timeout” and reclaim your life B.C. (before children).

Even if it’s just a few minutes a day, moms should find ways to pursue the things you love or else you’ll wind up on a crash course toward Farbissina Punim syndrome. Simply put, a farbissina punim is a sourpuss and trust me, nobody – your friends, kids or husband want to come home to someone who is annoyed, disgruntled or just plain miserable because she never has any time for herself.

So how do you take your life back? Here are a few Role Mommy tricks of the trade:

Make a list of the things you used to love to do before you became a chauffer, short order cook or cleaning lady – oh, we mean mom. From tennis, to singing, to rollerblading, painting, to pottery to yoga – whatever activities you used to enjoy, figure out what you can make time for again and start doing it!

Take your kids along to one of your favorite activities – from manicures, to painting your own pottery to bike riding, there are plenty of things you can do with your kids where you can both enjoy yourselves.

Have you become a major “Dancing with the Stars” fan or is “American Idol” more your cup of mocha latte? Either way, pursue your passion for music by taking dance lessons with your hubby (great exercise) or buy a karaoke machine for the house so your entire family can make fools of themselves!

Memo to Hubbies – give your wife a gift certificate to a day spa or surprise her with a night out on the town at the restaurant you used to frequent before you had kids. Date night is imperative to warding off Farbissina Punim Syndrome so get on the horn and start making some reservations!

Make time for Girl’s Night Out!!! Even if it’s once a month – having the time to share a glass of wine with your girlfriends is one of the things many of us miss most now that we’re moms. We’re not saying you should hit the bar scene, flirt with inappropriate men or dance on table tops, but it’s always important to re-connect with friends – because once your kids are out of the house, you’ll have no one to talk to except your significant other or the cat.

Final Tip Just in Time For Mother's Day...GIFT GIVERS BEWARE: This Mother’s Day it’s not the chocolate or handmade cards that will impress Mom; it’s actually housework. Moms are asking for more help around the house and we've got the proof. Swiffer, in partnership with ClubMom.com, recently revealed a survey that found the following: 67% of the women polled said they would prefer to have their kids clean up their rooms and husbands do the dishes, than receive flowers this Mother’s Day. So get your husband and kids to help out with cleaning, that way you can finally escape for a mani/pedi, spa treatment or maybe, a shopping trip...and we don't mean Super Stop & Shop ladies!

Happy Mother's Day Role Mommies from one stressed out mom in need of rejuvenation to another! To return to our home page, click here.

The 411 on Healthy Eating with Missy Chase Lapine

noreply@blogger.com (Role Mommy) — Mon, 07 May 2007 01:32:00 +0000

Listen to our next show this Tuesday at 1pm when we interview Missy Chase Lapine, author of the New York Times best-seller, The Sneaky Chef. Find out how you can sneak healthy foods into your kids favorite meals when Missy shares some of her amazing recipes and advice on getting the most finnicky chicken nugget fiend to finally eat his veggies. From a healthy way to spice up your kids' mac and cheese to cupcakes filled with blueberries, Missy has answers to all your culinary questions! To dial into the show this Tuesday, feel free to call in at 1pm at 718-664-7500 or IM us at bethfel. Hope to hear from you!