As moms of preschoolers, we have some common questions we want answered. Click on this post to see those questions. You’ll find a fascinating response to these questions from author Sharifa Oppenheimer during my interview on Blog Talk Radio this month. You can click and listen to the show, “How to Raise a Wholesome Child in a Toxic World,” in the right hand side bar.

I was pleasantly surprised this morning to learn that Bratz Dolls have been banned.  Unfortunately, it isn’t the entire line of Bratz - but it’s a good start.  Finding toys that bring out the best in our preschoolers can be tricky in today’s toy stores.  So much plastic and buzzers, most of the toys leave little to the imagination for our children.
My 6 year old peruses the toy catalogs that besiege our home this time of year scoping out the latest goodies for her wish list.  For us, Christmas is …

As my dd’s birthday approaches at the end of this month, I’ve been pondering what gift to purchase that will stimulate her desire to play!  I’ve been reading Heaven on Earth by Sharifa Oppenheimer and it’s been wonderful to explore what kinds of toys engage a child’s imagination.  I am always inspired by the suggestions of simple things from nature and providing the kids with toys that they can manipulate.
For young children, boys and girls, dress up is an all-time favorite.  We have a basket filled with hats, accessories, and …

We’ve all used television and computer games as a babysitter at some point as parents.  Perhaps your kids are exposed to screens daily or just once in awhile.  The way we use screen technology in our homes is personal.   You get to decide how much of it you want your kid to have.
I find that I make better choices about the amount of screen time my kids get when I’m reminded about the negative impact it has on their development and behavior.
This month I’ve focused on helping moms create …

I think we moms are always looking for a solution to the age-old problem of wanting our sweet cherubs to find something creative and engaging to do without our constant involvement.
We adore our children.  At the same time, we are thrilled when our preschooler discovers that building towers or marching zoo animals around the living room is great fun, long enough for us to check email or pay some bills.
The key is to find a way that your home takes away a lot of the work for you.  You don’t …

This month we’re exploring the topic “Should I Be My Child’s Playmate?”  Be sure to register to be part of the conversation.  It’s coming up this next week!
Date:  Thursday, October 9, 2008
Time:  9:00-10:30pm EST
To find out more about this topic and to register Click Here!

We all have to pick our issues as parents. We are bombarded by the media and the next big fad on the market that will make Disney or Mattel billions of dollars. I know it will be a challenge for me, especially now that my firstborn is going off to the big world of kindergarten, but I’m sticking to my convictions of no bikinis, no boyfriends, no Bratz dolls. So far, none of this has been an issue.
My dd is surprisingly compliant when it comes to …