Big Kids (5-10)

 
Welcome to BlogHer Moms, With Editor Stacy Morrison
BlogHerMoms wants to serve and serve up mommies, mamacitas, mas, hot mommas, and muthas (you know who you are). Plus green moms, soccer moms, pregnant moms, birth moms, working moms, homeschooling moms, single moms, step-moms, PTA moms, lesbian moms (and dads), need-a-night-out-with-the-girls moms, mom-in-every-way-but-the-name moms, mythical super-moms and for everyone who’s ever wanted to be called “mommy.”

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Suspect in Jail in Etan Patz Case 33 Years After His Disappearance

5/25/12 8:08am by JennaHatfield
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Etan Patz (© Bryan Smith/ZUMAPRESS.com)

Today is National Missing Child's Day. It's also the 33-year anniversary of the day Etan Patz went missing as he walked to school by himself for the first time. This May 25 dawns differently than in years past, because a suspect is now in custody for the disappearance and murder of Etan Patz, having confessed to the horrific crime that changed how we dealt with missing children in the United States. Pedro Hernandez is now in custody, awaiting arraignment this morning.  Read more >

Signs Your Children Might Be Ready to Attend Sleep Away Camp

5/24/12 11:00am by Sellabit Mum
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sleep away camp

I loved sleep away camps when I was younger. I'd love some now! For me, not my kids. Someday, they will get to go too. Until then, I'm bookmarking this list of signs your child might be ready for sleep away camp by Sellabit Mum. She may have meant some of these in a tongue-in-cheek way, but I bet they apply to your kids. If so, send 'em off!  Read more

Kids and Allergies!

5/24/12 8:28am by littlebitfunky
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There aren't many moments outside of sleep where my boys are still.  The only things that slow them down are allergies and illness.  It stinks to see their pep stolen by runny, itchy noses and eyes.  They aren't in real school yet, but there are definitely days where their allergies get in the way of what they may have wanted to do.  I'm sure if they were in school, bothersome symptoms could have a drastic effect on their grades and overall performance.  I see them get distracted, irritated, and lethargic when their allergy symptoms are bothering them the most. Allergies definitely affect their sleep, too...runny noses equal lots of sniffling and nose-wiping in my house.  Restless nights don't stop them, but they sure slow down the boys. They love life, and I want to do anything I can to help them continue on with their joyful life as normal!  Kids are only kids once. I don’t want to let allergies rob them of it.   Read more >

Teaching Kids About Safety: Sometimes It's the Stranger Who's in Danger

5/23/12 7:00am by When I Blink
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stranger danger in an elevator

True: We may have been a smidge on the antisocial side when we stepped into the elevator that day. It had been a long afternoon. We didn’t say hello or ask how you were doing or pass out party favors and ask for song requests. We just settled our collective gaze on the floor. It didn’t occur to me that maybe you were waiting for me to say something. But I did pick up on your hostility when I sensed your head turn and aim right at our little three-person huddle. Not a quick gander, mind you. I don’t like being stared at. Moreover, it ain’t cool to stare at my offspring. So you were already giving me the heebies before you piped up with this: “HELLO to you, too. YEAH, I get it. Strangers are DANGER, right? Especially with ‘kids’ around.”  Read more >

The Safety of Sleepovers: I Don't Trust Parents Outside My Circle

5/17/12 8:00am by jennyonthespot
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Sleepovers have become a thorn in my parental-side. Not actually HAVING them... but letting my children GO to them. Or NOT. And considering what has come to light with politician Michael Gardner... I just want to add my 2 cents about the famed childhood tradition: The Sleepover. Our family is very careful. And I am sure many families are. Though I am always a little knocked to the side when an authentic invite comes when I've not met the parents or have no idea what the inside of their home looks like.  Read more >

Right-Brained, Wrong Brained? Let's Be Done with Standardized Testing!

5/16/12 1:00pm by lisaweldon
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exam

Right here in Georgia, at the University of Georgia, we have a world-renown department called the Torrance Center which developed a "right-brain" standardized test years ago. Only our gifted students get to take it to gain entry into the elite programs. Imagine if some of our troublemakers -- or day dreamers -- took it? Wonder if "those ADD and dyslexic kids" took those kinds of tests. What if we tested each child to find their gifts and supported those? No, we test to find WHAT’S WRONG with children and then pound in their little heads how poorly they’re performing.  Read more >

Stop Inviting My Kid to Church: Religion Is Not for Children

5/15/12 1:14pm by MsJoyFG
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religion is not for children

Recently, a few of Miss N's friends have been sincerely inviting her to church. This part will be touchy for people who do not believe the same as we do and I respect that; I'll raise my kids and you can raise yours. I do not think religion is for children. I think that they should be exposed to the beliefs of all people, and while I will tell my children "this is what Mommy and Daddy believe," I do not expect her to believe the same thing. I'll ask Miss N what she thinks -- and she has some really amazing thoughts on the matter -- but I will not tell her she is wrong if she disagrees with me about the big beliefs.  Read more >

It's About Choice, and We're Choosing Public School Over Private School

5/14/12 9:31am by Char B
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public school

Last summer, a neighbor and I were having a pleasant chat at the park while our kids were playing. She has two girls ages 8 and 10 who attend our neighborhood private school. She waxed eloquently about the benefits of said school (which I do not dispute), and assumed I was going to send my kids there too. When I casually replied that I was planning on sending my son and my daughter to the local public school, she went red in the face and started sputtering. She informed me that everyone in our part of the neighborhood sends their kids to the private school. I quite nicely said that I understand, but it’s important to us that we support the public school system.  Read more >

Politicians: It's About Fixing Education, Not Just Teacher Appreciation

5/10/12 6:23am by Grace Hwang Lynch
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Cookies for teachers

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, the time of year when parents are baking cookies, writing cards, and filling gift baskets for those wonderful educators who spend nine months out of the year instructing, inspiring and disciplining our youngster. There’s a phrase I hear often from many a harried mom: It’s for the kids. The mantra is repeated as moms and dads organize school fundraisers, volunteer to grade spelling tests, buy reams of paper for cash-strapped schools.  Read more >

Don’t Know Much About Asian American History? Books for Kids

5/7/12 11:53am by Grace Hwang Lynch
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Japanese American children pledging

The month of May has been proclaimed by Congress as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. And what better time to teach your kids about the history of Asians in the United States? Because most school curriculums contain little – if any – mention of the contributions of and discrimination against Asian Americans. Perhaps you've shared with your children how you or your family members came to America, but this is also a great opportunity to learn about the experiences of other Asians in the United States.  Read more >