Parent:Wise Austin - 2010-01

You Are What You Eat: Kids & Behavior Modification Diets

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:40:44 +0000

By:

Sugandha Jain

He was always the worst-behaved child in the room. It didn’t matter where he went. Or when. Three-year-old Cameron* simply couldn’t control himself — ever.

“He was bouncing off the walls all the time,” recollects his mother, Susan*. “I loved him dearly but couldn’t bear to be around him because he was so obnoxious, in-your-face, he could never sit still, never stop moving, couldn’t control his impulses—he was always hitting, kicking, jumping or touching.”

Desperate to figure out what was going on with her son, Susan stumbled onto an article about a little girl whose behavior seemed nearly identical to Cameron’s and who was “cured” through a special diet.

About:

Sugandha Jain is an internationally published journalist and a part of the management team at Kids R Kids Child Development Center. She and her family live in Austin

Editor's Note:The Resolution

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:00:35 +0000

By:

Kim Pleticha

Let me tell you about my first step aerobics class.

I was in my twenties and, like all 20-somethings, I was thin. Problem was, I lived in Los Angeles, where any woman who weighs more than 100 pounds automatically qualifies for a spot in the hippo exhibit at the L.A. Zoo. So I decided to get fit.

My company offered all employees a health-club benefit: $50 a month paid directly to the gym of our choice. This was a long time ago, when nobody except people in L.A. went to gyms. It was also a heap of cash, so I could join the fancy-schmancy Gym-To-The-Stars only 15-minutes (and a world) away from my (crummy) apartment.

I promptly went shopping and bought a pile of aerobics outfits—those little thong things that looked so good on Jane Fonda (note: I do not now nor have I ever looked like Jane Fonda)—and a pair of pink sneakers.

I was ready.

Cut Costs This Year, Starting with the Tooth Fairy

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:02:55 +0000

By:

Lela Davidson

If you’re stinging from the pain of ‘this economy’ or suffering nasty paper cuts from your post-holiday credit card statements, consider cutting back on child-related costs this year.

About:

Lela Davidson has negotiated a strict one-dollar rule with the Tooth Fairy and that’s that. Her work has appeared in Parent:Wise before, but for more observations, opinions, and personal pet peeves, visit www.afterthebubbly.com.

Chubby Mom

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:46:49 +0000

By:

Susana Fletcher

I wanted to be a chubby mom.

I wanted doughy arms and big bosoms and a comfortable lap to sit in.

I wanted my little nuggets to be enveloped in the soft cushion of my embrace as I squeezed them to my to my heart’s content.

These somewhat crazy aspirations were a lot easier to have when I was comfortably tucked into single-digit jeans. Yes, I’m talking about high school. It was cute then, to think of the perfect world of motherhood, of sweet little cherub children staring up at me with their big doe eyes and listening to my syrupy lullabies as I rocked them to sleep in my loaf-of-bread arms.

About:

When she's not writing, Susana Fletcher can be found eating cookies in the car on her way to the gym. She and her family live in Austin.

The Baggler & The Baggler Bags

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:21:16 +0000

Web Address:

Web Site

Price:

$10

It you’ve made a resolution to be more “green” this year, we highly recommend these cool bags.

Legal:

We’re required to tell you that all Cool or Crummy items are sent to us by companies and PR agents; we do not purchase these items independently, they just show up on our doorstep. All items are tested by our Product Review Team, otherwise known as the Tester Mamas, who have children in the age ranges recommend by the items in question. As you can see, we’re brutally honest in our reviews so it should go without saying that we do not accept payment for product placement (but we have to say it anyway because this is, after all, a required legal notice). If you have any questions, feel free to email us at Editor@ParentWiseAustin.com.

Sizzle Sites: Homestead Heritage at Brazos de Dios

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:55:38 +0000

By:

Hannah Diller and Kim Pleticha

Driving the 100 or so miles to Homestead Heritage at Brazos de Dios in tiny Elm Mott, Texas takes only about an hour and a half. But the journey is more like time travel.

I Like Holidays!

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:52:30 +0000

Book Author:

K.A. Bye

Reviewer:

Jeanette Stermer

While it may seem strange to review a “holiday” book after the holidays, this particular book is suited to New Year giving.

About:

Jeanette Stermer, Parent:Wise Book Review Team

Tea Parties with a Purpose

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:41:49 +0000

Book Author:

Bobbie Wolgemuth

Reviewer:

Meredith Clarke

This very sweet little book offers ideas for 10 different tea parties. Each theme —such as “Under the Sea” or “Snowflake”— has ideas for decorations, menus, crafts, stories and a lesson. The book do

About:

Meredith Clarke, Parent:Wise Book Review Team

Oracles of Delphi Keep

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:34:32 +0000

Book Author:

Victoria Laurie

Reviewer:

Meredith Clarke

Many books intended for young teens have cropped up in the last few years, trying to emulate the popular story of a certain young wizard.

About:

Meredith Clarke, Parent:Wise Book Review Team

Nate the Great and the Hungry Book Club

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:21:01 +0000

Book Author:

Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Mitchell Sharmat

Reviewer:

Jeanette Larson

Before most mystery lovers found Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, we fell in love with Nate the Great. For more than 30 years this quirky young detective has been solving cases.

About:

Books Editor, teaches children’s literature for the School of Library & Information Studies at Texas Woman’s University