Motherwise Coffee Klatch

I Mind This Matter

By Mary FaganDid you think that you would ever let your kids get one over on you? No, of course not. So when my son told me he was “staying after” to work on a physics lab, a red flag went up. He has never stayed after for any sort of academic in his entire life, so what makes him think that would go unnoticed? Age – mine and his.

The Value of A Science Fair Project

With the jam-packed schedules of today's families, why would either a student or a parent want to add one more major activity? Clearly, any school project assigned to a student should meet a stringent test for usefulness. Surprising to some, a science fair project is one of the best learning experiences a student can undertake. And, if it is taken seriously, it can be an excellent way to earn significant prizes, qualify for scholarships, and distinguish a college application.

Is Re-gifting Ethical?

By Jeff KennedyMost of the people among us either receive or give at least one re-gift in our lifetime;. The question before us is whether the re-gifting should be avoided or should be carried out as usual.

Many times the original giver of the gift may feel badly once you re-gift the item to someone else. In the situation where the sentiments of the original giver are attached, you should re-think before re-giving the gift. You should consider the feelings of not only the person who gave you the gift, but your feelings as well. Its possible you may feel badly after you re-gift an item given to you by a close member of the family or friend. You may feel awkward in these situations where the sentiments of family members are attached and you should give re-gifting serious thought or avoid it altogether.

The Part of "NO" You Need to Get

Let's face it. "No" is a pretty simple word and yet we, as parents, find ourselves saying to our kids, "What part of 'no' don't you get?" in attempt to bring home our point with sarcasm. I will tell you just exactly what part they don't get - all of it.

Bring Back Classic Games to Your Child's Birthday Party

Remember your favorite birthday games of the past? What party didnï¿½t play a few rounds of ï¿½musical chairsï¿½ or ï¿½pin the tail on the donkey?ï¿½ My personal favorites were the ï¿½spoon raceï¿½ and good old fashioned ï¿½treasure hunts.ï¿½

Lately, when I go with my children to birthday parties, games for the most part are not part of the program. If a child is having their party at home, it seems that you are more likely to find a bounce house or an entertainer. Birthday party themes and activities do tend to conform to what everyone else is doing. Maybe classic games are out of style?

The Perfect Gift

While our options today are almost bottomless, we somehow manage to go back to flowers when we pick out the perfect gift. As a jeweler residing in the Philippines, I get requests every so often asking me to cast diamonds at the center of flower shaped earrings or make a gold bracelet look like a little lei. I honestly could not help but wonder why flowers work and has always been considered as perfect gifts. Is it their appearance? Could it be because of their aroma? Below are some of my guesses:

Moms... Want to Look Great for Less?

There was a time when only the rich and famous knew about natural mineral makeup and its fantastic ability to cover imperfections and make anyone glow. Minerals are easy to apply, provide a natural sunscreen and are better for all types of skin.

Become a Touchdown Dad - Improve Parenting

“In talking with fathers, one thing that became very clear was that they were in serious need of a book that would make it easy for them to improve their parenting style,” said author David Justus. “That’s what Become A Touchdown Dad was written to address.”

In today’s society, raising children is more challenging than ever. Parents are looking for ways to improve communication with their children, strengthen relationships and encourage positive behaviors. They do not, however, have the time to learn new systems or multipart strategies.

Bringing Family to the Dinner Table

(NewsUSA) - Think that teens don't like family meals? Think again. A recent survey of 1,063 teens, conducted by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, found that 84 percent of teens prefer dinner with their families, while 13 percent prefer to eat dinner alone.

Nearly half of the teens who responded said that the dinner table is the best time to talk to their parents. Additionally, more than half of the teens who enjoy frequent family dinners say they receive anti-drug messages from their parents.

When Medicine Needs More Than a Spoonfull of Sugar

(NewsUSA) - At some point, every parent must administer medicine to their child. However, the process is often met by strong resistance. For parents with children battling cancer, administering lifesaving medications can become especially problematic.

"She [my child] hates the medication we have to give to her daily," wrote one mother on the National Children's Cancer Society's Web site, www.children-cancer.org. "She will not swallow the pills. Crushing them tastes awful and to give liquid is almost impossible."