Do you remember "Reading Rainbow" with LeVar Burton? I sure do. I loved "Reading Rainbow" and everyone I knew loved it too. When the show went off the air in 2006, LeVar Burton received an overwhelming response from people everywhere, wanting the show to come back. With that feedback, plus his strong personal desire to nurture the love of reading in children everywhere, … [Read more...]
Parents: 4 Things Your Kids Need From You Right Now
Whitney Houston's song, The Greatest Love of All was one of my all-time favorite songs growing up. When you really think about the lyrics, they're pretty deep: "I believe the children are our future; Teach them well and let them lead the way; Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children's laughter remind us how … [Read more...]
Stop Whining, Be a Man
I can remember falling off of my bicycle as a kid and my older cousins, uncles, and my dad would say, "Get up! Be a man!" As a kid I would tell them, whomever it was at the time of incident, "But I'm a boy, not a man." They would look at me with anger in their eyes and again say, "Well go'on and be a cry baby then!" Mind you, I recall one time where I wasn't crying at all. … [Read more...]
What Happens When There’s No “Village”?
When I'm traveling and people ask me where I'm from, I usually can't just say, "New York" or "Pennsylvania" or "Alabama". I have to give them a backstory about how we managed to move from the Deep South to the Northeast. My husband and I have worked and lived in several different states over the past few years. Usually, the next question is, "Is your husband in the military?" … [Read more...]
You Know You’re a Parent When…
Your whole life changes when you become a parent. Most of the time parenthood is wonderful. Other times it can be downright stressful. I, personally, sometimes have to laugh to keep from crying when things get rough around here. I am so not the person I was BEFORE I became a mom. Which is why I came up with a fun list of reasons that you KNOW you're a parent. You know you're … [Read more...]
6 Things I Hate to Hear [My] Children Say
I love it when I see and hear children expressing themselves. It brings me joy to see them thinking and blossoming, especially my own children. What I don't like, is when children express themselves to adults in a disrespectful manner OR they say things that are discouraging about themselves or others. Here are 6 things I absolutely HATE hearing children say. 1. Yeah. When … [Read more...]
Officer Pulls Gun on 11-Year-Old that Was Building a Tree Fort with Friends
Eleven-year-old, Omari Grant, and his friends were playing in a wooded area behind his home in Henry County, GA building a tree fort. The next thing they knew, two officers approached them, one with his gun drawn. "I was thinking that I don't want to be shot today, so I just listened to what they said," Omari said. Atlanta's WSB-TV 2 reports that a neighbor called the police … [Read more...]
8 Ways to Battle New Mom Anxiety
I'm a lot better now, but when I was a first time mom, my anxiety level was THROUGH THE ROOF! What to do? Am I doing the right thing? Will I be a good mom? All of these questions are justified...new baby, hormone fluctuations, life changes and more! As new moms, we have every right to feel any and every emotion we so please. But, if it makes you feel any better, here are a few … [Read more...]
Why I’m Becoming a Kinder and More Patient Parent
If your children were asked to describe you, would they say that you are an angry and frustrated parent? Or would they describe you as a kind and gentle parent with a lot of patience? It pains me to think that my kids would refer to me as frustrated or angry, but it's the truth. That's why I'm working on ways to become a kinder and more patient parent. Why? As I study myself … [Read more...]
Principal Drags Students and Maintains a Job Within School System
Parents are outraged by the scenes within recently released surveillance videos that show a Connecticut elementary school principal, Carmen Perez-Dickson, dragging a child through the hall on three separate occasions. To add to their frustration, she wasn't fired. Nakeya Hargrove, the mother of the a young girl in one of the videos, didn't find out about the March 2012 … [Read more...]
Recipe: Homemade Laundry Detergent for My Son’s Sensitive Skin
Since the birth of my son Jackson, I have been purchasing every sensitive skin product available seems like. His skin is so sensitive that even fragrance in my laundry detergent, lotion, and toiletries must be unscented or he will have a visible breakout at the point of contact. Before the realization of making my own detergent I was spending $25 (including taxes) every … [Read more...]
10 Essential Dating Tips for My Teenage Son
As much as I want to slow down the hands of time, it is inevitable that my kids have to grow up. As they journey into young adulthood, we still need to be there to guide them in the right direction. Since my son is the oldest, I'm starting with him. Here are 10 essential dating tips that I am giving my teenage son. Note: This is for DATING...not marriage. That's an entirely … [Read more...]
13 Ways I Cover My Children with Prayer
When we pray for our children, yes a "general" prayer is better than nothing, but it's always better to pray specifically for the desires our heart when it comes to their well-being. We should pray with a "domino effect" or an in an endless cycle that will always lead to thankfulness for the blessings that we've already received and then onto continuous grace and mercy, and … [Read more...]
Single Parents: 4 Things Your Kids Are Learning from Your Relationships
As a single father, I’m always careful about who I date, who I bring around my children and deciding the right time to bring that special someone around my children. Those are important concerns to think about when raising a child. Your children deserve to see you happy and in a productive relationship. Not only is it good for you, but it’s good for the child to see what a … [Read more...]
Are People Happier With or Without Kids?
Until recently, most research has shown that those without children are more satisfied in life than those who have them. Several new studies have concluded, however, that data may not be completely accurate anymore. Princeton University and Stony Brook University published a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science that found "very little difference" … [Read more...]