Parent:Wise Austin - 2010-02

Leaning on St. Valentine-How to Go From Lovers to Parents (and Back Again!)

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:37:01 +0000

By:

Karen Grinstead

Marriage is not a noun; it's a verb. It isn't something you get. It's something you do. It's the way you love your partner every day.

That’s how relationship and personal growth expert Dr. Barbara De Angelis describes marriage: a union that must be nurtured through constant tending.

Easier said than done…especially if you’re a parent.

For many of us, finding that special someone began so innocently — easy-breezy laughter and silliness, long talks and longer walks, holding hands and candlelit dinners. Love comes easily and follows a natural progression in our daydreams: a fabulous wedding, an enviable marriage, perfect children, and growing old together rocking on the porch. But for so many in this country, those picket fence images all too often fade into divorce. The estimate for first marriages ending in divorce currently sits between 40% and 50%. Divorce happens for myriad reasons, but for a lot of couples the unexpected stress of having children is a big one.

About:

Karen Grinstead is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Parent:Wise, The Charlotte Observer, Parent Teacher Magazine, Properties Magazine, and local NBC-affiliated television newscasts across the country. She and her family live in Leander.

Editor's Note-February 2010

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:17:51 +0000

By:

Kim Pleticha

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.
—Mother Teresa

By the time you read this, some 200,000 people in Haiti will have been buried, their bodies crushed by an earthquake in a land already devastated by hunger, lack of education, and political unrest.

Some who call themselves representatives of God would have us believe that the devastation is punishment for past evils.

I think that kind of thinking is, in itself, evil.

I'm With Cupid

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:21:23 +0000

By:

Joel Schwartzberg

What holiday is less connected to its historical roots than Valentine’s Day? Jesus gets a strong shout-out on his birthday. President’s Day may be the perfect occasion for an underwear sale, but at least Washington’s face graces the newspaper ads. Even Punxsutawney Phil got a movie deal. But where is St. Valentine?

Weeks before February 14, local stores celebrate enthusiastically with cheap jewelry, heart-shaped placemats, heart-themed pajamas, and enough chocolate to keep dentists busy through 2020 – yet Valentine himself is treated more like Voldemort.

About:

Joel Schwartzberg’s essays have appeared in Parent:Wise before; now, he’s gone big-time with the publication of his new book, The 40-Year-Old Version: Humoirs of a Divroced Dad.

Geocaching With Your Kids Through Texas

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:05:20 +0000

By:

Hannah Diller

It was a winter day in Austin and the rain had fallen for days, a surefire recipe for cabin fever. Nature needed to be explored, blue lips notwithstanding. After all, this is Texas, and before we know it we’ll be longing for a chilly breeze. Besides, there are a few young pirates around these parts who hanker for buried treasure.

And buried treasure is exactly what my three pirates found, when we combined forces with our friends John and Donna and asked them to introduce us to the world of geocaching. After spending a good part of the day chasing down boxes large and small in locations ranging from a solitary hiking trail to a hidden corner of a busy parking lot, we almost felt like we had rediscovered Austin. I think we might be hooked!

About:

Hannah Diller lives and explores with her family in Central Austin. She can be found on the web at http://dillerhome.blogspot.com or at dillerh@gmail.com.

Bobo Glove

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:00:11 +0000

Price:

$15

This is one of those things that looks so ridiculous you can’t imagine actually putting it on. But that’s the beauty of it: it’s totally hilarious! This weird glove has everything from teethers to rattles to (non-breakable) mirrors on it — plus a teeny little “Bobo Baby” animal book. The glove is made from a variety of fabrics, with a soft velour-and-jersey lining for whoever is wearing it.

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.

My Boyfriends Dogs

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:43:09 +0000

Book Author:

Dandi Daley Mackall

Reviewer:

Kim Pleticha

High school sophomore and avid dog-lover Bailey Daily has a fervent wish: to have a boyfriend. Trouble is, she doesn’t know how to go about getting one.

My Boyfriends’ Dogs

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:42:42 +0000

Book Author:

Dandi Daley Mackall

Reviewer:

Kim Pleticha

High school sophomore and avid dog-lover Bailey Daily has a fervent wish: to have a boyfriend. Trouble is, she doesn’t know how to go about getting one.

Everyone Says I Love You

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:39:51 +0000

Book Author:

Beegee Tolpa

Reviewer:

Jeanette Larson

Parents looking for an educational Valentine’s gift for a budding linguist need look no further than this lovely pop up book.

Stone Rabbit: Deep-Space Disco

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:35:59 +0000

Book Author:

Erik Craddock

Reviewer:

Jeanette Larson

Where else but in a graphic novel might young readers find spaceships, killer robots, video games and smoothies? Stone Rabbit is a bored little bunny with a very rich imagination.

About:

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

For Baby (For Bobbie)

Brian J. Stankiewicz — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:31:34 +0000

Book Author:

John Denver

Reviewer:

Jeanette Larson

The first song recorded by John Denver has been transformed into a picture book with illustrations by Janeen Mason that will delight young children and their parents.

About:

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