Life...Post Holidays

Well now that the holidays are nearly over and the light from planet "back to school" is in clear view, I see why parents get giddy for the school routines to begin again! Even though my oldest is in kindergarten and only been an official "school ager" for a handful of months, it took me a few days to get in the swing of having him home again on an all day schedule.

Over all it was a nice holiday break and I'm grateful to have had some time off and at home with my little ones but routine is my friend. Anyone else out there ready for life to return to quasi-"normal"?

Work Life Balance on Paper and on the Big Screen

I have come across a number of books that address the struggles of women with career and families and a recent upcoming movie. I'm not recommending or referring these just posting them as an fyi if you are in the mood to be entertained by or read up on work and life media pieces!

BOOKS

Arlie Hochchild, Prof. of Sociology, UC Berkeley
The Second Shift-Working Parents and the Revolution at Home
The Managed Heart
The Time Bind

Sharon Lerner
The War on Moms:  On Life in a Family-Unfriendly Nation

MOVIE(S)
I Don't Know How She Does It

Back to School - school lunch ideas?

With 3 kiddos in school full time and each of them picky eaters I thought I'd post some of the lunch items we pack. I hope you might have some additional ideas as the same 5 items get old after a while!! Also breakfast ideas are great too since they are all also in latchkey in the mornings.

For the boys:
Protein: ham & cheese, PB&J or fluffernutter
Fruit/veggie: Small cups of diced peaches or pears, applesauce, carrot sticks
Dairy: crush cups or yogurt, cheese cubes
Filler: cheese crackers, gold fish, granola bar, fruit roll-ups

For my ultra picky daughter:
Protein: fluffernutter, rolled up pieces or salami or ham
Fruit/veggie: cut up green peppers, carrot sticks, cucumber
Dairy: cheese cubes
Filler: granola bar, fruit roll-ups, gold fish


Breakfast:
chocolate chip mini muffins (I make them because they are too expensive to buy)
French toast sticks
yogurt

Any other ideas? My kids are so picky especially at breakfast! And since Dublin pushed their start time back by a 1/2 hour they'll be eating lunch even later so healthy snack idea for picky eaters would be great too!

Happy start of school everyone!

Affordable Summer Vacations

Well it seems like summer came and is now on it's way out with school being only a few weeks away! My family of 5 recently took a short but fun and very affordable vacation up to Lake Erie this past weekend. We stayed at a friends condo in Sandusky and then went to "Soak City" (the waterpark attached to Cedar Point), visited the lighthouse in Marblehead, and just played on the beach and in the lake. Has anyone else had a fun vacation or stay-cation this summer? If so share it with us and give us ideas for next year!

IMPACT Safety--Everyone Can Be Safe: Girls Night-Before You Go Out!

This unique training is specially designed for adult women 18 and older. IMPACT Safety teaches a unique form of self-defense. You will learn IMPACT Safety’s strategies on dealing with difficult situations—whether a stranger who means you harm, a friend, coworker, or acquaintance. You will have the opportunity to learn and practice powerful skills to stop a physical assault.

IMPACT Safety Teaches How To:

• Use physical safety techniques when no other alternatives are available

• Break off potentially threatening situations with verbal strategies

• Be more aware of dangerous situations

• Make better choices in dealing with conflict and confrontation

Date: Friday, July 29, 2011

Time: 6:00PM to – 10:00PM

Location: LifeCare Alliance

1699 West Mound Street

Columbus, Ohio 43223

To Register: www.regonline.com/JUL2911

Cost: $45

Parking is free

Space is limited!

Deadline to Register: July 22, 2011

Call 614-278-3130 for more info

A personal self-defense workshop for women

Stats on Dads

Hey all, I know this is technically a working "moms" blog but thought I would share some interesting statistics about dads. My disclaimer is that this information obviously doesn't apply to all dads but does give us some perspective around the struggles that dads feel when trying to balance family and career!

According to a national poll from Workplace Options, a provider of work-life programs and employee benefits the poll results are as follows:

• More than two-thirds of working fathers (68%) have experienced negativity or problems with their current employer due to conflicts between their job and duties as a caregiver; 57% reported that it has happened multiple times with this employer.
• Nearly half of employed fathers (48%) said they spend less than a quarter of the day (six hours) with their children — a stark contrast to 31% of working mothers who reported the same time constraints due to their job.
• Substantially more fathers reported that they frequently take time off of work to deal with child- and family-related issues than did mothers (56% vs. 40%).

About four out of 10 fathers in the workforce (39%) said the demands of their current job detract from their ability to interact with and support children and family.

According to the Workplace Options survey, 70% of employed fathers considered their current employer to be understanding of their family responsibilities. However, 43% also reported their current employer could provide more tools, programs or assistance to help them balance their roles at work with those at home.

We at Ohio State have more work to do in helping support moms and dads on their quest to strike work life balance but in the meantime, cheers to all parents who try hard to find creative ways to have a career you love while spending time with the people you love!

Caregiving

I wanted to post about caregiving and try to get a sense of who out there is giving care to someone (or multiple people) on both ends of the age spectrum; meaning a child and an elderly adult. I know that caregiving for elders is a big issue for lots of faculty and staff here at OSU and everywhere. If you find yourself struggling in that role I'm wondering if you could share some of the specifics around the struggles and we could try to help each other, either through advice on the blog or perhaps I could coordinate a workshop to address the most pressing needs that caregivers are experiencing.

Water Safety

Now that Memorial Day is over and most personal/public pools are open, and lakes, rivers and ocean water is warming up, I wanted to send out some information on water safety from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It's always good to read through the reminders when it comes to big and small bodies of H2O! Enjoy and happy swimming!!

POOL SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tipppool.htm

• Never leave children alone in or near the pool or spa, even for a moment.

• Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.
• Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.

• If the house serves as the fourth side of a fence surrounding a pool, install an alarm on the exit door to the yard and the pool.

• Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook - a long pole with a hook on the end - and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd’s hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.

• Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties.” They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children and parents a false sense of security.

• Children ages 1 to 4 may be at a lower risk of drowning if they have had some formal swimming instruction. However, there is no evidence that swimming lessons or water survival skills courses can prevent drowning in babies younger than 1 year of age.

• The decision to enroll a 1- to 4-year-old child in swimming lessons should be made by the parent and based on the child’s developmental readiness, but swim programs should never be seen as “drown proofing” a child of any age.

• Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult – preferably one who knows how to swim and perform CPR – should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”

• Avoid entrapment: Suction from pool and spa drains can trap a swimmer underwater. Do not use a pool or spa if there are broken or missing drain covers.  Ask your pool operator if your pool or spa’s drains are compliant with the Pool and Spa Safety Act.  If you have a swimming pool or spa, ask your pool service representative to update your drains and other suction fitting with anti-entrapment drain covers and other devices or systems. See PoolSafely.gov for more information on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

• Large inflatable above-ground pools have become increasingly popular for backyard use. Children may fall in if they lean against the soft side of an inflatable pool. Although such pools are often exempt from local pool fencing requirements, it is essential that they be surrounded by an appropriate fence just as a permanent pool would be so that children cannot gain unsupervised access.

BOATING SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tippslip.htm

• Children should wear life jackets at all times when on boats or near bodies of water.

• Make sure the life jacket is the right size for your child. The jacket should not be loose. It should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted.

• Blow-up water wings, toys, rafts and air mattresses should not be used as life jackets or personal flotation devices. Adults should wear life jackets for their own protection, and to set a good example.

• Adolescents and adults should be warned of the dangers of boating when under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and even some prescription medications.

OPEN WATER SWIMMING

• Never swim alone. Even good swimmers need buddies!

• A lifeguard (or another adult who knows about water rescue) needs to be watching children whenever they are in or near the water. Younger children should be closely supervised while in or near the water – use “touch supervision,” keeping no more than an arm’s length away. 

• Make sure your child knows never to dive into water except when permitted by an adult who knows the depth of the water and who has checked for underwater objects.

• Never let your child swim in canals or any fast moving water.

• Ocean swimming should only be allowed when a lifeguard is on duty.

Bicycle, Scooter and Scooter Safety

Hi all, I thought since the weather has turned nicer and we are all spending more time outdoors I'd have a few posts around summer safety.  During this past week (or so) of beautiful weather I have encouraged my kids to be outside as much as possible, to burn off extra energy, and promote physical activity. Obviously, this means we have to address bike and other outdoor vehicle safety since our little and big kids spend so much time biking, tryking, scooting and skating during the summer months. Here are some tips and reminders befitting the kids (and grown ups)! 




BICYCLE SAFETYSource: http://www.aap.org/family/bicycle.htm
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tbikmyth.htm

• Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike until he or she is ready, at about age 5 or 6. Consider the child's coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster (foot) brakes until your child is older and more experienced for hand brakes.
• Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new one.  For more information on finding the proper fit, go to http://www.aap.org/family/bicycle.htm#choosing
• Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to "grow into." Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.
• Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets.  Children learn best by observing you. Set the example: Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.
• When purchasing a helmet, look for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the CPSC safety standard.
• A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.
• A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards.  The strap should be securely fastened, and you should not be able to move the helmet in any direction.  If needed, the helmet’s sizing pads can help improve the fit.

SKATEBOARD, SCOOTER, IN-LINE SKATING AND HEELYS SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/marskate.htmChildren should never ride skateboards or scooters in or near traffic.

• All skateboarders and scooter-riders should wear a helmet and other protective gear; wrist guards are particularly important.
• Communities should continue to develop skateboard parks, which are more likely to be monitored for safety than ramps and jumps constructed by children at home.
• While in-line skating or wearing Heelys, be sure to wear appropriate protective equipment and only skate on designated paths or rinks and not on the street.

Here Comes The Sun...I Think!

Well you wouldn't know it to look (or walk) outside, but summer really is coming. If you are like me, it takes a set of really pink cheeks, before I remember, "oh yeah, it's summer, I need to be applying sunscreen." So this year I thought I'd get a jump on summer safety tips!! Check the blog each week for more safety ideas.

For sun safety the American Academy for Pediatrics recommends:

Avoiding sun exposure, and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.

For All Other Children:

• The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against UVB and UVA rays.
• Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

Spring Cleaning and De-cluttering

Well here we are, right in the middle of spring and my house-inside and out- is in need of a serious lift! It needs scrubbed, cleaned, decluttered, mulched, reseeded, powerwashed, and just freshened up in general!!

I know at least for me, it feels better just to have the winter clothes out of the closet and spring/summer clothes in. I have various piles planned for departure to Goodwill, the Kidney Foundation, garage sale "stuff" all with the intention of de-cluttering but somehow it just ends up sitting around my house. The piles grow and shrink depending on my mood!  You know the, "I'll never wear this thing" = pile grows, or the "Am I sure I want to give up that sweater, it is a classic and so comfy" = pile shrinks.

Then I found some ideas for spring cleaning and organization in an online article that I thought I'd share see below or go to: http://housekeeping.about.com/cs/organizing101/a/4cntnrmthdclttr_2.htm:

The Four Container Method

Sorting Through the Clutter

By Sarah Aguirre, About.com Guide

Find 4 boxes and label them with the 4 categories.
Trash
Give Away/Sell
Storage
Put away
 
Trash- This should include any item that you do not need or want, but that is not donatable or sellable. Damaged and broken items should be included in the trash if they are not worth someone buying it and repairing it.
 
Give Away/Sell- Be generous. Think about the uses someone else might get out of the items vs. the use it gets in your home buried in cabinets or closets. Consider the financial benefits of selling your stuff at a garage sale.
 
Storage- Put items in here that you cannot part with but do not need on a regular basis. Make an inventory of the items as you box them. Group similar items together. Remember one good way to clean out closets is to store out of season clothing. Get tips on proper storage of clothing.
 
Put Away- This should be your smallest category. These are items that need to be out on a regular basis. Monitor yourself by determining if you have a place for each item. If the items in this box will not fit into your home without cluttering an area up, try to reassess if you really need them. If you do need these “essentials”, try to come up with a storage solution that fits into your home.
Work on one room at a time to provide yourself with an easy stopping point for interruptions. When you come to a stopping point, be sure to throw out the trash immediately. Box up the storage box. Place the give away/sell box in the garage, or out of site. If you allow yourself to contemplate the decisions you’ve made too much, your brain can trick you into rescuing the clutter.

Things To Remember

*Items are not equivalent to memories of the person who gave them to you. Pruning items with an emotional attachment can be very difficult. Consider carefully if you need the item to have the memory or emotionally attachment. If you’re not sure, consider storing items on a trial basis, or giving them to another family member for safekeeping. Think about taking photos of the item that will store more readily, but give you tangible proof of the memory. If you really feel the need to keep items of this nature, don’t fight it. Instead try to incorporate these memories into decorative displays or organized storage.

*Get rid of old clothing even if it is the size you used to be and hope to return to. It’s tempting to keep them for when you reach your goal. Think about instead rewarding yourself with a new wardrobe when you get to the new you.

*Don’t force yourself to keep sets if you only use part of the set. If you cannot break up a set, at least store the portions you do not use.

*Keeping things just because you might need them someday may seem like a good reason for clogging your closets. Remind yourself that what you really need is space and organization.

So know your trash is gone. Your storage is packed away. Every item you’ve decided to keep is in its proper place. You’ve given away or sold everything else. Take a moment to look around your house. You’ve just taken a major step to organizing your life and freeing up your time and space. Begin enjoying the results.

Easter + Kids= Candy, Candy Candy

In an effort to keep my own sugar intake levels down, (or at least down to a reasonable level), I've been considering the contents of Easter baskets. As I purchase items for 3 baskets, it's amazing how often I find myself saying, "well you just have to have peeps in an easter basket"...and then..."well it's not Easter without Cadbury Eggs and jelly beans"...and then..."hollow chocolate rabbits were in every basket of mine, as a kid...so.....".

By the time I'd get all of that there would hardly be room for anything EXCEPT the candy. So I've been reconsidering what I choose to fill their baskets with and have come up with alternatives such as:
kites
books
art supplies
plastic eggs filled with stickers, nickels, tattoos
bubbles
action figures
disposable cameras (my kids LOVE these)
age appropriate movies
AND a limited amount of candy


I'm sure others of you have many more ideas, so share them with us all!

Who Has Time to Journal?

Hi everyone, hope spring is treating you well! Even though it's still chilly, it seems as though warmer weather is on the horizon. I've been feeling the "mom" guilt about journaling, or rather the abscence of journaling, particularly about those "cute", or "never want to forget" comments/moments etc. I just can't seem to find the time or energy at the end of the day to sit down with pen in hand to jot down all the happenings that I want to capture. For 2 years I've been telling myself that I would NEVER forget all of the endearing things my kids say or do. But I have; the memories have been trampled down by work, activities, sleep deprivation, busy schedules and more.

 I actually was experiencing some anxiety around it, as I realized fast time goes and how blurry my memory has become. And then... I went to a meeting a couple of months ago and learned from a colleague that she had created an email address to quickly record those precious, "unforgettable" peices of her daughter's childhood. I thought this was a great idea and quickly set up an email account for my boys, each child has a folder and as I move through my day, if I think of a funny moment or story, I just email it to that account! It is a great, easy, and quick way to make sure the most important memories are captured and can be shared or revisited over time!

Cabin Fever

Hi all,
Not sure if you are experiencing cabin fever too, but I am (and my kids) are SO ready for reasonable temperatures on a consistent basis! For those of you who feel like you and are your family are "hold up" inside, consider visiting the play areas in our local shopping malls, Playplace inside select McDonalds', and indoor activity/inflatable facilities (most of these have fees associated but they are usually nominal) around town. You can also try the indoor exibits at the zoo if you don't mind bundling up!! Good luck and hopefully warmer weather in on the way.

If you have other ideas about ways kids and burn some energy while we're awaiting spring, please post!

Spring Break is Around the Corner

Hey everyone, I've been hearing lots about where families are going for spring break and am realizing that Disney, the beach, and skiing in Aspen are all way beyond my budget. Does anyone have good ideas for inexpensive spring break trips, (even day trips)? I'm looking to do some fun and hopefully outdoor things with my family and I don't want to break the bank.

Thanks

Middle Child

My middle son is 3 years old, very verbal and pretty bright (from my perspective). However, he is MUCH, MUCH less focused than my older son was at his age. This is totally okay, I don't expect or even want them to be carbon copies of each other, but some span of attention would be good. He starts preschool soon, and he's very excited, so I've been working with him at recognizing his name, some letters etc. And even though I know he knows the answers, he won't cooperate. Can anyone give me advice about how to engage a bright, unfocused, curious little boy about something other than robots, rockets and Batman?

Lactation Spaces around main campus

Hi,
I know this post won't apply to you all but for those of you who are new moms, or just returning to work after having your baby, or have a colleague needing a clean, private, safe space to pump, I just wanted to remind you that we have several (24 to be exact) lactation spaces here on OSU's main campus. To view the list, you can visit http://hr.osu.edu/worklife/lactationrooms.pdf and if you would like to establish a lactation space in your building, don't hesitate to contact me and we can work through the details!!

thanks,
Katie

Kid's With Learning Disabilities

Hello Fellow OSU Mom's :)

Is anyone else out there dealing with a child with dyslexia? I recently found out that my eight year old daughter has this diagnosis.

This entire process of educational testing and setting up an IEP with the school has been emotional & trying for my family.

When my daughter becomes frustrated she has an emotional response or she completely shuts down and wont try.

Is anyone else going through this and what has worked?

I look forward to your feedback & suggestions.

Summer Nanny?

I work part-time and am looking to hire a nanny to cover the summer months.  I figure my six year old is not going to want to return to daycare and I can withdraw my younger son (who will be two) for the summer while paying a small holding fee.

I plan to enroll the six year old in a few weeks of camp so that he can have some structured, enriching experiences, but mostly, I'd like him to experience a bit of the "lazy summer" I have such fond memories -- sleeping in, riding bikes, going to the pool.

Ideally, I would love to hire part-time (three days a week).  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to hire a sitter?

Summer Camps for Kids

Hi all if you are looking for "camp" options for kids this summer, my work life website is a good place to look! Just go to http://hr.osu.edu/worklife/children.aspx

Have a great day and stay warm!

Camp Recky

Have any of you out there used Camp Recky as a summer care/camp alternative! I'm looking for some camp type options for my 5 year old son and have heard good things about Camp Recky but would love more feedback! Anyone??

Any other moms of twins out there on campus?

Hi ladies. I am a mom of a 2 year old girl and am expecting twins (girl/boy) in May. I am a member of the Columbus Mother of Twins Club already but wondered if there were any others in this group and/or around campus with twins. I will need to continue working at least 75% after the babies arrive (with a few months of time "off" of course) and was curious if there were others who survived/are surviving it! I'd love to chat and get any tips or advice on how to make this work.

Thanks!
Stephanie

Anti-Princess Reading List

Hi, ladies, and thanks to Katie for setting us up!

I was just talking about RAISING GIRLS with a fellow OSU soon-to-be working mom. She is determined not to raise any prissy, ready-for-princely-rescue offspring, and I remembered the "Anti-Princess Reading List." I'm posting it for all, courtesy Mommy Tracked.
(this is my first blog post ever, so I hope the link comes through...)

Laura

Hot Topics

Hey all, I have 3 boys ages 4, 3, and 2. So I  know the hot topics surrounding those ages, but I'd like to hear feedback from you all about the hot topics facing your children based on their age, grade, interest, educational needs. Please comment back about the issues you would like to discuss on this blog!