Yet Another Danger of Connectivity

We tend to believe that our children remain unequivocally safe at home, whether playing catch in the yard or zoned-out in their own world, playing video games quietly upstairs. Yet this may be changing. Video game consoles such as Xbox, Wii, and PlayStation now all have Internet access that enables a gamer to connect with other players through chat rooms or text and video messages. Games such as Halo and Grand Theft Auto have become community games where users can log-on via the console and chat with other users or message each other for tips. And not only teenagers use these features; even kids elementary school aged and younger have used the chat capabilities on games rated too mature for them to play. Yet, even knowing this, I still found a recent USA Today article shocking. The article outlined the newest version of a parent’s worst nightmare: child predators using this new form of Internet access to prey on children.

Rules of the Office: To Be or Not To Be

The age-old question, to be or not to be? At Mom Central, the answer remains clear: not "to be."

I couldn't help but notice recently that passive verbs run rampant in our office. The verb "to be" makes its way into nearly every sentence and thought. And, as language makes up the base of all that we do, it became time to institute new rules. What follows, therefore, represents Mom Central's newest set of rules to live, work, and write by.

Momtrends Guest Blog: Five Tips for Sane Flying with Kids

I've gone to the experts on this subject. Hana Wolf is the co-founder of Little Jet Set: The site that delivers all things travel to harried parents. Wolf and her partner (Nisha Cordero) are both attorneys who've logged many hours in the air. These expert travelers (and fellow moms) decided to take a break from practicing law to share their knowledge about "the inherent challenges of traveling with children." All their items appeal to the needs of today's stressed family. She's helping us out with "Five Tips for Sane Flying with Kids."

Online Grade Checking

With back to school season upon us, both parents and kids will start worrying about homework, tests, and report cards any day now.

What it Means to Soccer-fice Your Life

Women everywhere dream of being “Soccer Moms.” The term, in fact, has come to represent those hands-on moms who do everything possible to ensure they remain deeply involved in their kids’ lives, no matter how busy they otherwise get. Soccer Moms, one can assume, are also PTA Moms, Carpool Moms, and Bake Sale Moms. But the term implies more than that. Soccer Moms (and Lacrosse Moms, Basketball Moms, Softball Moms, and so on) travel with video camera in hand (and have been known to turn warm-up footage into some great inspirational slide shows), spend time practicing with their kids on weekends (some even have a copy of the playbook), and, perhaps most importantly of all, can cheerlead with the best of them. These moms couldn’t wait for the day that their child first put on that adorable little uniform, laced up those cleats, and hit the field running (often in the wrong direction at first). It’s no surprise that moms everywhere race to sign up for the coveted Soccer Moms Club.

From Dates to Diapers Guest Blog: What An Adventure!

Our family loves to travel... When the twins were babies we spent an entire week in New Orleans. Since then, we've been all over - We've visited the San Diego Wild Animal Park, Sea World, Disneyland, museums, state and national parks, and tons of great beaches. We've even taken the kiddos to Hawaii!

It's so much fun to see our children's faces light up when we visit some place new, especially since there is so much to learn. The twins, especially, just can't seem to ask enough questions to satisfy their curiosity... They love to learn almost as much as they love to travel!

Momtrends Guest Blog: Safe Travel Tips

For some, summer gives them a chance at freedom. That's right, there are lucky folks out there traveling without crayons, wipes and snuggle bunnies. They are leaving the kids at home.

According to the 2006 Statistics for the Travel & Tourism Industry, 43% of weekend trips are taken by couples without their children. In addition, children are now more likely to travel with family members other than their parents:

• 20% of grandparents have been on a trip with their grandchildren in the past year and,
• 15 % of singles have been on a vacation with their nieces, nephews or other young relatives in the past year

So how do you ensure that your children remain safe and protected while traveling without you?

Momtrends Guest Blog: Travel to Spain with Kids

Traveling with kids is always and adventure. I'm encouraging everyone to explore something new this summer. Maybe it's a trip to a location historical landmark. Maybe you'll splash out and head overseas. Either way we've got tips and ideas to make travel more fun and interesting for your family.

From Dates to Diapers Guest Blog: On the Go

We are a family constantly on the go... To make traveling easy and fun, whether it be to the supermarket, a trip to Grandpa and Grandma's house, or just to the zoo, we are always prepared, in the car and out!

Summer Travel

Tips to keep the stress out of summer travel.