Our family is just back from a couple of days of sightseeing in D.C. For us, Washington has been that close-but-oh-so-far place that we somehow never managed to take the kids before now.

Of course, now that we are back, the weather's beautiful. :)

Thought it would be helpful for you to hear what we did in our 2 1/2 day whirlwind cherry blossom tour in case you are doing the same soon:

Sunday afternoon:

--Checked into the Beacon Hotel near Scott Circle. This place was great -- a real deal considering what other hotels in the city were charging for our dates. Tip -- if you have an AAA card, you may be able to get free parking -- and they let you keep your car at the hotel until 5 p.m. on the day you check out.

Here's a picture of the suite we had:

--We walked several blocks down 16th Street to take a look at the back of the White House, and Lafayette Park. The street between the two is permanently closed to traffic now, and it was a good place for the kids to run around a bit.

--Dinner at Nage.

Monday:

--Breakfast of muffins and bagels we brought with us to save some dough.

--We then spent that dough on one of those double-decker bus sightseeing tours, which may not have seemed smart since it was raining. It wasn't cheap -- $35 for adults; $18 for kids -- but that's for a two-day pass, and it did allow us to see a lot in a short amount of time. You can also get on and off as you like -- buses run about every 20 minutes.

We even braved the upper deck when it wasn't raining too hard, where we had a great view of the National Cathedral, the Naval Observatory, the Islamic Center and Georgetown. By the time we got to the Arlington National Cemetery and then the Tidal Basin, we had fled to the lower level. We got kind of an interesting picture of the cherry blossoms through the rainy window:

--We got off at Union Station to look around and have lunch at the food court, where there's something for everyone.

--Metro to the International Spy Museum. (We could have hopped back on the tour bus, but Metro was very fast.) There was a line to get in, but not a terribly long one.

My 8-year-old daughter got a lot out of the museum, but my 6-year-old son mostly enjoyed the part where you can make like a spy and climb through the ducts. I thought the museum could have been more interactive than it was, but we had fun. I'd say it's best for 8 and up.

The tour bus was right outside the museum when we left, so we hopped back on to ride back to the Mayflower Hotel, the closest stop to the Beacon.

--Takeout dinner at our hotel from Pizzeria Paradiso. It was decent, but not the best Neapolitan pizza I've ever had.

Tuesday:

--Breakfast at the Luna Grill & Diner at Dupont Circle. It was pretty good -- the kids had waffles and a fruit bowl. But what self-respecting diner doesn't have pancakes?

--Metro to the National Zoo, where we spent the rest of the day before heading back to Baltimore. More on that in a separate post. (We could have taken the tour bus there, too, but were closer to the Metro.)

(Photos by me)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Travel
        

For Dinner Together today, we are on location in D.C., at a place called Nage -- a restaurant that straddles the gulf between kid-friendly and sophisticated better than any other dining establishment I've experienced yet.

The restaurant, attached to the Marriott Courtyard Embassy Row at 16th Street N.W. and Rhode Island Avenue (Scott Circle), was decorated in warm shades of red, with pleasant, prompt service. We chose it in part because it had a menu of decent sounding kids' meals. There was grilled cheese, chicken fingers (not nuggets), a child-sized burger, and an option of greens instead of fries (not that our kids would go for that.)

More importantly for the vacationing adults, there were delicious entrees like the beautiful plate of grilled pork belly above, a special that evening. It came with grits, a fried egg on top with just the right amount of run in the yolk, crunchy kale and a bacon vinaigrette, with a pea-tendril garnish. The pork was deeply satisfying and indulgent, and all those disparate elements came together harmoniously with the leadership of that vinaigrette, which had a bit of heat and a bit of whimsy.

Prices were quite reasonable for this kind of cuisine in the middle of D.C. Service was attentive, with bonus points for the free lemonade refills and the delivery of the kids' plates first. Everyone was very, very happy.

I am going to pick a bone with Nage, though, on one thing....

This mountain of fries on the kids' plates was out of control:

You can barely see the chicken for the fries. And this about four blocks from the White House and anti-child obesity crusader Michelle Obama.

More reports coming soon, by the way, on our trip to see the cherry blossoms.

(Photos by me)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dinner Together, Food and Recipes
        

Today's extra guest poster is Betsy of Fluffy Windover's Diary, where this post also appears:

The art museums in Baltimore are free these days. I'm sure you DC types are thinking, "Wait, you used to pay to get into museums? Silly Baltimorons." But yes, we used to pay to get into the likes of the Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art. And it wasn't exactly a bargain. So now that it's free admission, taking your child to the art museum on a whim is no longer reserved for the "ladies who lunch" set.

I've taken my 18-month old, Edwin, to the Baltimore Museum of Art on a few occasions since he's learned to walk. We usually go on a Friday morning, and besides a few school groups we are often the only ones there. Edwin LOVES the contemporary art section upstairs. It has touchable sculpture, cool installations, a beaded curtain, and vast expanses of floor that he can run the length of (screeching with glee, naturally). Trust me, after being cooped up in our 1200-square foot Lauraville bungalow, it is a big treat for him.

I am under the impression that this is a kid-friendly museum. The guards have always been very tolerant, indicating that it is OK for Edwin to touch certain things, and not seeming to mind him running from room to room and being a toddler. I've even gotten a few "Aww, he's so cute!" comments from the guards. (Because he is, of course.)

Recently, however, we decided to go on a Saturday...

We went early, and while it was not crowded, there were several other patrons. Suddenly we were those parents: the ones who let their toddler run willy-nilly through an art museum using his "outside" voice. There were people there actually trying to contemplate art. And what I might describe as "jubilant" and "adorable" behavior, these patrons might describe as "raucous" and "annoying". So after receiving a couple looks that said, "Your kid is not cute; ever heard of Super Nanny?" we escaped to the sculpture garden where he could run screaming to his heart's content.

The lesson here? The BMA is a great place for toddlers on a weekday. On the weekend, I think I'll stick to the sculpture garden until Edwin masters his inside/outside voice. Or until I become OK with being one of those parents.

(Photo of Edwin at the BMA by Betsy)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Babies and Toddlers
        

Liz Atwood fears the Easter Bunny tradition is coming to an end in her family this Tween Tuesday:

I’m afraid the Easter Bunny won’t be hopping to our house much longer. This year, my 8-year-old declared he was too old for the neighborhood egg hunt, although he changed his mind at the last minute when we told him he might find a prize egg good for a $20 gift certificate.

It seems the second child grows up so much faster than the first...

My eighth-grader would be happy to go on Easter Egg hunts if he weren’t too old. The younger one, however, always wants to catch up to his older brother and pretend he’s older than he is.

A few days ago, I bought the egg dye and a couple dozen eggs as always. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that our tradition of coloring the eggs and of the kids looking for them on Easter morning will last at least one more year. I know I’ll miss these traditions when my kids finally grow out of them.

Is your tween getting too old for the Easter Bunny?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Holidays, Teens
        

I'm spending some spring break time this week with my kids this week, so Kayris Wall of The Great Walls of Baltimore, a frequent commenter here, graciously helped me out with this thought-provoking guest post on living in the city with her family.

For more on the subject, check out this story I wrote on downtown families several years ago.

Here's Kayris:

Nearly ten years ago, my husband bought a house in the city. Two years later, when we got married, I moved in, and we've been here ever since. When we announced we were having a baby, it didn't take long for people to ask, "When are you moving?"

Many of our former neighbors bolted for the burbs when kids started to come along. We stayed.

Baby number one was easy. Our spare room became the nursery. City living provided ample opportunity for afternoon walks along the water, and we made sure to buy a stroller with plenty of basket room for groceries. With the bank, pediatrician, library and numerous restaurants within walking distance, it was easy to get my stuff done without having to get in the car.

A couple of years later, another baby came along and people asked, "Are you going to move now?" ....

And still, we stayed. It was a bit of a squash, but the nursery became the kids room. Living in a rowhome means we don't have things that other people take for granted. Like closets. It means I'm constantly purging stuff, rearranging toys, trying to come up with creative storage solutions for our ever changing needs. It means bedtime is quite often a disaster because two kids and one room don't mix. We're lucky enough to have two bathrooms, but I often wonder what families with only one do with more than one kid in the house.

Raising kids in the city certainly is different than raising kids in the burbs, but I don't feel like mine are missing out on anything. We know all our neighbors, something people in subdivisions can't always say. My kids can't take off with their friends for hours at a time like I did as a child, but the city's parks and museums always provide us with something to do. Our lack of space has really helped us keep our possessions to a minimum and seriously consider if we need something before we buy it. And I'm fond of saying that raising kids in the city makes for good sleepers. Both kids sleep through an appalling amount of noise, be it a loud party next door, early morning engines, or the occasional fire engine screaming down the street.

Still, sometimes we talk about moving out of the city. Wouldn't it be nice for the kids to have their own bedrooms? How great would it be to be able to park in our driveway instead of three blocks away? We could grow all our own produce and leave the lid off the trashcans without worrying about cat-sized rats getting into it. Our children could run barefoot without the fear of broken glass, and I'd no longer have to hear my neighbor sneeze in the middle of the night when the windows are open.

First, the housing bubble popped. Then our oldest child started preschool and we didn't want to move in the middle of the school year. He starts kindergarten this fall and the younger child is in preschool. At this point, there are few easy ways to do it. I used to be anxious to move. Now I don't really want to, because the city girl in me is willing to put up with crappy parking to stay in a community that has made being a family so enjoyable.

City residents--What are your challenges to family life, and do you ever plan to move?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Parenting in general
        

It's Monday Consult time. Today's question comes from Kathy:

Lately my (just turned) 4 year old has been saying that he is "not normal". When I ask him why he thinks he is not normal, he says it is because he doesn't like to play the same games that other kids in his daycare group like to play. He's a bright kid, with a very vivid imagination, and I think he might be ready to play games that others aren't ready for yet. I don't want him to feel weird or abnormal, but I don't want to stifle him either. It nearly broke my heart the other day when he was playing with cars and I said "Hey, you know, you do too play normal games; playing with cars is very normal" and he perked up and said "Thanks!" like he'd just received a present.
Got any suggestions?

Columbia psychologist Brad Sachs agreed to give Kathy some advice. (If you haven't read his great post for us on how to tell your kids you've been laid off, you must go back and check it out.)

Here's his answer to this one:

Psychologists emphasize the “play is a child’s work” and it sounds to me like your son is
working very hard, and very effectively. The fact that he is so creative in his play is definitely
positive, but so is the fact that he is aware and insightful enough to realize that his play is
somewhat different from that of his peers, different enough that he doesn’t always feel “normal.”

The most important thing for you to do right now is not to reassure him that he’s normal, but to validate his uniqueness and to encourage him to continue to become interested in and curious about his own intellect, his “very vivid imagination.” If you are not currently joining him in his play, for example, I would certainly make the time to do so, so that you can learn more about what sounds to me like a very rich inner world, and so that you can find ways to reinforce and stimulate it.

I would also attempt to get a clearer sense of what it’s like for him to not feel normal. It might be a mistake to assume that he interprets this as completely negative just because he responded positively when you took note of his “normal” play with cars. You could ask him some questions that not only help you to understand what this experience is like for him, but that also could get him thinking about “normality” in a larger, more interesting context:

“What’s it like for you when you don’t feel normal?”
“What are the best parts of not being exactly like everyone else?”
“What are the hardest parts of not being like everyone else?”
“What do you think the world would be like if everyone were the same?”
“Do you think that you’re less lovable if you’re not just like everyone else?”

It also might be helpful if you tell him about some of the times when you have not felt “normal”—when you thought or felt or acted differently than others typically might—and what that was like for you and how you handled it. Be sure to refer to experiences that were difficult, as well as those that turned out well for you, experiences that are from your recent as well as from your childhood past. If you can’t come up with any on your own, you could illuminate this theme by referring to others, telling him stories about the many extraordinary individuals who were extraordinary precisely because they weren’t seen as normal.

Our culture is not particularly kind when it comes to imaginative children—we tend to value conformity over creativity, and yet it is creativity that will ultimately yield the solutions to our most pressing problems. Rather than suggesting to your son that he can or should be more normal, it will be more valuable to nourish and treasure him for who he is—that will not only help him to manage his feelings of not always fitting in, but strengthen his creative spirit and allow him to make better and more gratifying use of it.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

It's Sarah K.K., back with another installment of Toddler Thursday ...

I just have a short and sweet question for this week's entry. What are your favorite sunscreens for your sensitive-skinned little ones?

On Sunday, we slathered our son with Aveeno for kids SPF 50 (I think that's right), and his little face broke out in red spots a couple of hours later. We'd used it before, but maybe he was more sensitive in conjunction with the heat.

I was sad to realize Isaac has inherited my skin, which will break out like mad with a change of toothpaste or shampoo or scar from the slightest cat scratch, rather than my husband's, which seems to be part Teflon. Sorry, kid!

(Baltimore Sun file photo)

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Toddler Thursday
        

Have you read about the 17-year-old autistic boy in Chicago who picked the first two rounds perfectly in the topsy-turvy NCAA tournament?

March Madness this year has been filled with upsets, but Alex Hermann picked every game correctly so far, NBCchicago.com reports. (Here's video of a Today report on his picks.) The bracket was entered in a CBSsports.com contest, NBCchicago.com says. But CBSsports.com can't confirm the entry.

Here's the bracket, according to NBCchicago.com.

Some are questioning whether the teenager or his family can prove he really picked the bracket. Deadspin says a perfect score can easily be faked on the CBS bracket manager. This blogger on Guyism has gone so far as to insinuate that this might be the next "balloon boy" hoax.

For the record, Alex picks Purdue to win.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Sports
        

Hard to believe it is almost Easter, but a week out, the egg hunts and Easter Bunny appearances are already starting. There's fun at local libraries and museums, too. Here's a sampling from our findlocal database, where you can find more to do:

Thursday, March 25:

Hands on Holidays: The Canton branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library hosts a celebration of Jewish culture in song at 10:30 a.m., put on by the Jewish Community Center.

Friday, March 26:

Fun with Otto the Auto: Kids 2-5 (with adult) can meet a talking car and learn about traffic safety at 10:30 a.m. at the Woodlawn branch of the Baltimore County Public Library.

Saturday, March 27:

The Frog Prince: Pumpkin Theatre's production continues for another weekend, with performances at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Spring open house with Easter egg hunts: The Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park will hold free egg hunts from noon to 2 p.m. for kids 2-7.

Glass Egg Making: Kids 8 and up can make a colorful egg from molten glass at workshops at Corradetti Glass Studio and Gallery in Clipper Mill. $42.

Spring Egg Hunt: There will be a hunt for kids 2-10 in Schooley Mill Park in Highland at 10 a.m. $10. Bring a basket (shouldn't one always?).

Drop-in Art:The theme of this week's drop-in activities at the Walters Art Museum is "In Shining Armor." 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday, March 28:

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny takes place at 8:30 a.m. at the Red Brick Station restaurant in White Marsh.

(Sun file photo of Otto the Auto)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do
        

Kathy, for her interesting question on how to answer a 4-year-old who says he is "not normal" just because he doesn't like to play the same games as other kids in his daycare group.

She wins a copy of Jan Brett's pretty book "The Easter Egg," and an answer to her question in an upcoming Monday Consult.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

On the heels of a safety alert for baby slings, which warned that slings should not be used for a child younger than four months old regardless of the brand, the government has now issued a recall of 1 million baby slings by the maker Infantino. The Consuming Interests blog has details on what to do if you have one of the slings.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Babies and Toddlers
        

It's Dinner Together day here, and instead of a recipe, we're ordering takeout with this question: What do you eat when you take your kids to McDonald's?

Yes, I'm talking to you. You may try not to take your kids to eat the kind of fast food that is no doubt contributing to the child obesity crisis. But every now and then, at least, most of us break down and do it. Our kids often get the Happy Meals, which I try to mitigate by getting white milk and apple slices rather than chocolate milk and fries. Or I split one set of fries between the two kids.

But what do you, the parent, eat with them?

I was inspired to think about this by a Tweet yesterday from @twincident, a D.C. area mom who blogs at Twofer Mom. She wrote: "going to McDonald's 4 lunch but will use control and get 2 $1 grilled chicken wraps."

and followed up: "ok. i did it but I REALLY want 2 get small fries too..... "

I usually try to get a regular hamburger and an orange juice to keep things under control. But often I find myself snacking on the kids' fries with some misguided notion of keeping them from eating too many. And I don't even really like fries!

So what about you? What do you eat at McDonald's?

(Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps chows at a Beijing McDonald's. PRNewswire commercial photo.)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

Following today's literary theme, the Los Angeles Times blog 24 Frames reports on the big box-office success of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" movie, inspired by the book series by University of Maryland grad Jeff Kinney.

The blogger says the movie earned $22 million at the box office last weekend, and shows that stories for preteens can turn into big-earning films -- despite several recent examples to the contrary.

My kids love the graphic novels and are eager to see the movie. What's your opinion of it?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Liz Atwood is looking for books that she and her boys can read together this Tween Tuesday:

Do you ever feel like your kids and you are on different planets? I know every time I see my boys playing video games I think we cannot be related. They can spend hours engrossed in these games and I can’t play them five minutes without getting either a. totally confused or b. totally dizzy.

I always wonder why it’s such a chore to get my boys to read a book. The other day I stumbled on a Web site at a Texas library advertising a tween/parent book club. What a marvelous idea, I thought. I would love to find a book my kids and I could read and talk about together.

The book the club was reading was “A Wrinkle in Time.” I never read that, but my older son did and declared it the “worst book ever.”

I think the last time my boys and I read a book that we both liked it was “The Tale of Despereaux.”

Right now I’m trying to read “The Swiss Family Robinson” with my 8-year-old. He chose the book and I thought he’d like it because it has pirates, tigers and even guns. But he says it’s boring. We’re trying to stick it out.

I know I would never have the time or discipline to join a book club, but I would like to read with my kids. Do you have any suggestions for books tweens (especially boys) and their parents can read together?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

It's time to ask more parenting questions for the Monday Consult. Just in time for Easter, you can win a copy of Jan Brett's book "The Easter Egg" if your comment is selected at random from the questions. (If you don't celebrate Easter, we'll work out another cool book prize.)

Leave a question in the comments by Wednesday morning, and I'll announce a winner later that day. Look for answers to the winning question and more on future Mondays.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

It's the first day of spring! You can celebrate with the annual first-day-of-spring giveaway at Rita's Italian Ice. From noon to 10 p.m. today at Rita's locations, each guest can get a free, regular size Italian ice.

Rita's will also debut a new PEEPS flavor that will be available through April 4, designed to mimic the flavor of the popular Easter candy. I don't think I'll be ordering that, but my kids might be thrilled.

Baltimore Sun file photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Kenneth Lam

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Food and Recipes
        

In light of my post on prom dresses yesterday, I thought it would be interesting to follow up with a poll on the subject -- for parents.

My children aren't anywhere near prom age, but I'm already dreading the prospect of battles over clothing, particularly for special occasions such as this. What if a teenage girl wants a look that's a little too revealing for her parents? Or what if she wants a high-fashion dress that costs a mint, and -- even if she's paying for it herself -- her parents think it's a big waste of money?

Tell us in the poll and in the comments. Voting is open until Monday.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Guilty-Mom polls
        

Guest Dad Joe Burris writes about his 4-year-old daughter learned to care about an earthquake on another continent this Father's Day Friday:

When tragedy strikes like the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, I often wonder how to talk about it with my 4-year-old daughter, Onalenna.

Occasionally, scenes of ravaged landscapes and people left severely injured or crying in horror amid the devastation splash across the television screen, and I shudder to think what she might take from those images.

But she and her day school class had an opportunity to learn about the Chile earthquake without us parents saying a thing.

One of my daughter’s teachers, Miss Gloria (not her real name), was visiting her home country when the earthquake struck. The children knew she had gone home and after a while they began asking about Chile, whether the place people keep talking about being damaged by an earthquake was the same Chile where Miss Gloria was from.

She kept regular correspondence with parents, fellow teachers and students through e-mail, letting us know that she was unharmed and would return as soon as possible. We all eagerly awaited her return, and we shuddered at reports of every subsequent aftershock that hit the country.

Last week, she returned to the school and most everyone -- students, teachers and we parents, too -- were delighted to see her. Scores of little ones ran up and swarmed her like bees to a hive.

“Miss Gloria!” they shouted. Onalenna too. One looked up at her and said, “We heard about your country.”

Who knows whether they’ll remember any of this by summer or in the years that will follow.

We’re all just glad to see Miss Gloria back.

Associated Press photo/Ignacio Vasquez

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

It's Sarah K.K., back with another installment of Toddler Thursday ...

I had a fun assignment on Tuesday, helping coordinate things at a photo shoot for a special fashion section The Sun will be publishing in a few weeks. The stylist was showing me the clothes she'd pulled when she mentioned that one of the items was from this new boutique in town, and had I been there?

Erm. Not exactly. 

I hate to use my son as an excuse, and I hate to be a cliche, but honestly, I'm lucky if I get out the door with my hair brushed and a touch of makeup most days. Shopping for myself hasn't been that high of a priority, and when I do get out there, most of the time I can't find what I'm looking for, things don't fit quite right, and then I get frustrated and go home. Which leaves me with a lame-o wardrobe of mostly jeans, T-shirts and a handful of other pieces that are slightly more interesting but aging quickly.

I said this, in way fewer words, and the stylist looked me over and said, "Maybe you need a Mommy Makeover."

Oh, there is no "maybe" about it. I do. I haven't had a haircut since October, my eyebrows are out of control, and I don't even like looking in my closet right now. When I returned to work after maternity leave, I declared to myself that I was not going to be that cliched frazzled mom. I was going to try to look put together, at least most of the time. At first, it kind of worked, but after a couple of weeks back, my son unexpectedly went into the hospital for two weeks. After that, I could have cared less what I looked like, as long as I was clothed. Then, once life calmed back down again, the kid was mobile, and that took a big chunk out of my getting-ready time in the morning.

Not to mention, let's get serious: I work long hours and rarely get to see him awake in the evenings, so our morning time together is precious. When it comes down to a choice between putting on eyeshadow and blowing my hair dry or spending an extra 12 minutes hanging out with the little guy, he wins most every time. 

But I'm also getting tired of looking like a scrub, so I'm trying to find a compromise. Getting up earlier is one option, though the shower is next to his room, so that might just wake him up earlier, too. Bathing at night instead might work, though my hair looks even crazier if I do that. I'm reassessing the wardrobe -- hey, at least it's spring, and I have some skirts that look OK. I would really like to find some pants, though, that are: 1) flattering, 2) stylish and 3) washable. So far, I've been coming up empty.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Toddler Thursday
        

Prom season is upon us, and with that comes the drama of picking the perfect prom dress. If you're the parent of a teenage girl, you know this is a big deal.

Fortunately, finding the right dress is much easier now than when I went to prom 27 oh, who's counting years ago. I love some of the vintage dresses in this photo gallery, which tells you how to find deals on sites like Etsy and Ebay. Looking for modern trends? There's inspiration here. And here are tips on choosing the right dress.

(Morgan Gayles, 17, of Ellicott City, center, checks out a sequined dress as her mother, Marlinda Henry, left, and Jenn Tucker, a volunteer with the Priceless Gown Project, watch. (Baltimore Sun photo by Kim Hairston / March 6, 2010)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Teens
        

There's lots of fun on tap this weekend, including early Easter celebrations and a birthday party for Samson, the Maryland Zoo's baby elephant. Find more events at our FindLocal events database:

Thursday, March 18:

Fun Food Fest: Teens ages 11-17 make and share food at 2:30 p.m. at the Landsdowne Library. Registration required.

Urban Pirates: Songs, games, stories and treasure for buccaneers ages 2-5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hereford Library.

Maryland Technology Honor Society Elementary Spring Fair: Children ages 5 - 11 can increase their technological awareness through fun, interactive projects organized by the MTHS members at River Hill High School from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Previous projects have included learning how a guitar works and making homemade ice cream. Refreshments will be provided.

Friday, March 19:

Fridays After Five: Fridays through March 26, museum admission to the Maryland Science Center is $8, which includes exhibit halls, planetarium, and IMAX Theater. Touring exhibits are excluded.

Saturday, March 20:

Karma Dogs: The special reading dogs will be at the Woodlawn Library at 11 a.m. and at the North Point Library at 1 p.m. Shy readers share stories with a nonjudgmental and attentive four-footed listener from the H.E.A.R.T.S. program. For school-age children.

Captain Louie: Children's Playhouse of Maryland presents the family musical, which is an adaptation of the kids book "The Trip" by Ezra Jack Keats, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Community College of Baltimore County, Essex Campus.

Drop-in Art Activities: In Shining Armor: Explore protective medieval gear at the Walters Art Museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Milkshake performs: The Grammy-nominated kids' band performs at 2 p.m. at the Hereford Branch Library.

Samson’s 2nd Birthday Bash: Come and celebrate Samson the elephant’s 2nd birthday at the Maryland Zoo. At 11:30 am, Samson and Felix will receive their own elephant-friendly birthday cakes. Sing “Happy Birthday” to Samson as he devours his treat. Tuffy, Anna, and Dolly will also receive their own birthday cakes, too.

"The Frog Prince": Pumpkin Theatre debuts its children's show about a prince who's turned into a frog ... but makes the best of the situation. Shows at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny: Enjoy pancakes, eggs, sausage and drinks, plus Easter crafts and photo with the Easter bunny (bring your own camera) at the United Methodist Church of Savage from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Sunday, March 21:

Family glassblowing day: Watch a free glassblowing demonstration and visit the gallery at McFadden Art Glass from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Kids 5 and older can make their own glass art flower, ornament, pendant or paperweight. Reservations needed.

Homewood Family Day: A Ride to the Past: Johns Hopkins University’s Homewood Museum's traditional wine cellar will take on the ambience of a 19th century tavern. A half-day of educational fun is presented in conjunction with the museum’s focus show, "On the Road: Travel and Transportation in Early Maryland," exploring how people and goods traveled at the turn of the 19th century. Hear lively tunes played by David K. Hildebrand of the Colonial Music Institute. Dominoes, checkers, and whist will be taught, and visitors can peruse local newspapers and maps of the period. Light snacks and drinks fashionable in early Maryland will be available to sample. Horse-drawn carriage rides will operate every 20 minutes from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., departing from the museum and journeying around the university’s Keyser Quadrangle. Tavern activities free with museum admission. Carriage rides: $10 adults, $5 children (includes museum admission).

ArtFest: Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts holds free demonstrations and performances by the Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra and more. Family-friendly festival also includes a community mural, scavenger hunts and Maryland trivia.

(Photo courtesy of the Maryland Zoo)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do
        

Ferran Adria is known for his wildly inventive creations at the restaurant El Bulli in Spain, but according to author Anya von Bremzen, he's also known for creating easy cuisine. This dish dresses up a supermarket-bought rotisserie chicken (the savior of many a busy family's dinner) with dried fruit in an easy sauce. It's great for a family dinner or a dinner party; just go easy on the sauce if little ones like their chicken plain.

Here's how to make it:

Ferran Adria's Rotisserie Chicken
Serves 4
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup pitted prunes
1/2 cup dried apricots
1/4 cup pitted dried sour cherries
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 strip orange zest, 4 inches, white pith removed
1 strip lemon zest, 4 inches, white pith removed
1/2 cup tawny port
1 small cinnamon stick
2/3 cup chicken stock or broth
1 store-bought rotisserie chicken, about 3 1/2 pounds, cut into 8 pieces, juices reserved

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the prunes, apricots, cherries, pine nuts, and orange and lemon zests and cook, stirring, until the pine nuts turn golden and the fruits are browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the port and cinnamon stick and cook until syrupy, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and the chicken juices. Increase the heat to high, bring the sauce to a boil, and cook until reuced, about 5 minutes.
Place the chicken pieces in a baking dish that can hold them snugly. Pour the sauce over them, scraping up all the friut and liquid from the bottom of the skillet and turning the chicken to coat it with the sauce. Bake the chicken until it is warmed through and the sauce is further reduced, about 10 minutes. Transfer to plates and serve at once.

From "The New Spanish Table," by Anya von Bremzen

658 calories, 34 grams fat, 52 grams protein, 8 grams saturated fat, 32 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams fiber, 157 milligrams cholesterol, 221 milligrams sodium. Analysis by registered dietitian Jodie Shield.

(Photo by me)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dinner Together, Food and Recipes
        

Rielle Hunter update: Apparently the mother of John Edwards' love child has denounced the photos of her that appeared in GQ magazine.

According to this post on SFGate and others, Hunter thinks the photos -- some of which show her partially clad on a bed with (presumably) her daughter's Dora the Explorer pillows -- are repulsive.

Mom-to-mom tip for Rielle: When cameras are present, it's good to wear pants.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

There's plenty of leprechaun fun to be had over the next couple of days around Central Maryland. Here are a few finds from our events database:

--Luck O' The Irish at the Southeast branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, 3:30 p.m. March 16.

--Shamrocks, Leprechauns and Pots O' Gold at the Cherry Hill branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, 3 p.m. March 16.

--Shamrocks, Shamrocks Everywhere at the Patterson Park branch of the Pratt, 4 p.m. March 17.

--St. Patrick's Day Stories at the Perry Hall branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 10:30 a.m. March 17.

(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Graham Hughes)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holidays, Things to Do
        

Liz Atwood is testing the testing waters with her sons this Tween Tuesday:

This is the first year my 8-year-old has had to take the Maryland School Assessment tests and moms of third graders have been talking about how it’s going. Some children are naturally very nervous and worried. A lot is riding on the tests-- for the teachers, the schools and for the students. How well the students do affects everything from what classes they are placed in to the value of real estate in their neighborhoods. The schools have been giving practice tests for weeks to get the kids prepared.

My older son, an eighth grader, is used to the tests, but nevertheless detests them, saying they are tiring and boring.

But my younger son? After his first couple days of testing, he announced that he loves MSAs. The reason—two recesses and no homework!

How is your child coping with the state’s annual assessment tests?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Teens
        

Rielle Hunter, the woman who broke up John Edwards' marriage and bore his child, is speaking out about their relationship. But it's her picture spread in GQ that's causing the biggest stir.

A friend of mine commented on Facebook that involving her daughter in this "come-and-get-me" photo shoot was particularly inappropriate. (In another of the photos, Hunter is wearing only a shirt and pearls perched on a bed with Dora throw pillows.)

I agree. As a mom, I say: Eeewwww.

(AP Photo/GQ, Mark Seliger)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 5:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

An article from the New York Times about a recent blog conference in Baltimore geared to moms who blog (I'm not using the term "mommy bloggers," which like many of you I hate) has sparked quite a reaction. It makes me sorry I couldn't attend to meet some of the local bloggers I've come to virtually know -- by the time I found out about it, the SITS "bloggybootcamp" was sold out, and I had a fierce head cold anyway.

Anyway, here's a roundup of some of the reactions to the piece that I found most interesting. Many bloggers are angry about the way it depicts them, both as bloggers and as moms. (Even though the story was written by a blogging mom.)

Here's what Mom101 had to say. Kelby Carr, aka TypeAMom, a former newspaper reporter, has a thoughtful critique of the mainstream media response to the phenomenon of women blogging for money.

The SITS Girls, (stands for "The Secret is in the Sauce,") who ran the conference, have a post summarizing some of the reaction here. And at the bottom of this post you'll see a comment from Frederick blogger Jennifer Gerlock that gives her take.

Associated Press photo

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Parent bloggers
        

Just in time for spring sports, the National Athletic Trainers' Association has issued guidelines for parents for keeping your young athletes safe as they participate. It's the subject of today's Monday Consult.

Here are the tips:

--Assess the financial and time impact on your family. In the excitement of having your child participate in organized sports, the family must consider the family commitment required. If not prepared, the time and financial commitment can lead to increased stress on the family making a positive sports experience a negative one.

Determine if your children are physically and mentally “in shape.” Parents, with assistance from coaches, should determine whether their children are physically and psychologically conditioned for the sport/activity level they’re playing. Do not push children into something they do not want to do.

Have your children obtain a physical examination. All children should receive both a general medical exam and an orthopedic screening, which will determine their readiness to play and uncover any condition that may limit participation.

Find out who’s taking care of your kids. In the case of injury, find out who will provide care and ask to review their credentials. Many schools and sports teams rely on athletic trainers or parents with medical and first aid training and certification to keep kids safe. Yet less than half of high schools have access to athletic trainers.

Provide coaches with your child’s medical history. Parents should complete an emergency medical authorization form, providing parent contact information and permission for emergency medical care for their children. Check with your school/league to obtain the form.

Make sure your children are eating and drinking to win. Parents should ensure their children are eating a healthy, balanced diet. Without proper nutrition and hydration, young athletes will feel sluggish, which can increase their chance of injury. Improper hydration also increases the risk of heat illness.

Ascertain coaches’ qualifications. A background check should always be performed on coaches and volunteers before they are allowed to work with children, and parents should ensure the following guidelines are followed:
• Coaches should have background and knowledge in the sport they are coaching. They should be credentialed if that is a requirement in the state, conference or league.
• All coaches should have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) and first aid training.
• Coaches should strictly enforce the sports rules and have a plan for dealing with emergencies.

Ask if the school/league has an emergency action plan. Every team should have a written emergency action plan, reviewed by the athletic trainer or local Emergency Medical Service. Individual assignments and emergency equipment and supplies need to be included in the emergency action plan. If an athletic trainer is not employed by the school or sport league, qualified individuals need to be present to render care. Knowing that a school has prepared for emergency will give parents peace of mind.

(Photo by Gene Sweeney/Baltimore Sun)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Sports
        

Please, folks. Do not slide down the slide with your toddlers.

I know it looks fun. I know it sounds fun. You might even think you're keeping the child safe. But it can actually be quite dangerous, as you can see by looking at this very sad picture of what happened to two small boys from Portland, Ore., whose mothers slid with them.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 3:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Babies and Toddlers
        

This Father's Day Friday, Guest Dad Joe Burris is trying to stay on the right side of library law:

On Wednesday, I sent my wife a message about a matter that needed to be attended to right away.

“Do we have any overdue library books out?”

Don’t laugh. I wrote the e-mail after reading that many libraries are now seeking arrest warrants for those who have not turned in overdue items. Some negligent library patrons have indeed been arrested, booked and fingerprinted.

Some have even spent time in jail.

It seems that many libraries across the country are financially strapped because of budget woes and simply don’t have the money to replace books, movies and games that patrons fail to return.

And that’s understandable. If you rent a car, for example, and fail to return it for weeks or months after your contract expires, than that company will likely request that law enforcement take up the matter.

But can you imagine how it must be for such a person to spend time behind bars with other criminals?

Cell mate No. 1: So what did they get you for?
Cell mate No. 2: “Grand Theft Auto.”
Cell mate No. 1: No kidding? What kind of car did you steal?
Cell mate No. 2: No, not a car, the video game. I was more than six months overdue.

I thought what would happen if my 13-year-old daughter got nabbed. Would she be tried as an adult?

Thankfully, my wife replied that we have no overdue books out there. I’m breathing a sigh of relief.

And I hope no one finds out about the ripped tag off the mattress.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

It's Sarah K.K., back with another installment of Toddler Thursday ...

The other day, a friend of mine posted a picture of her son on Facebook. He was crawling up the stairs, but his PJ pants were falling off, and his diaper was hanging out.

That's sadly a pretty common sight around our house. My son, Isaac, is a tall and skinny guy at almost 21 months old, and I'm starting to think that kids' clothing sizes might be even more messed up than women's clothing sizes. And that is saying something!

When he was born, we were given clothes in a variety of sizes, which was great because it meant we weren't drowning in tiny onesies he'd wear twice and then outgrow. But it's become a running joke that every few weeks, I put this pair of Carter's pants on him, convince myself that now, finally, they fit, and then they start slipping off again. They're marked 18 months, and the length is great, but that waist? Still too big.

For ages, he lived in American Apparel karate pants, these knit, elastic-waist, comfy pants in neutral colors that went with everything. But now, the 12-18 month ones are too short and the 18-24 month ones just fall off. Sigh.

It seems we're reduced to high waters (as seen at left) or Pants on the Ground.

I asked around among some of my friends, trying to get a handle on what places and brands run bigger or smaller. We've had decent luck with Old Navy's regular and boot cut fit jeans. I also bought a pair of fleece pants and a pair of brown slacks there, but we haven't tried them yet. To me, Carter's seems to run bigger in the waist. We've had the same issue with Gymboree -- too big in the waist and often featuring what appear to be drawstring waists, which would totally help with our problem, but then it turns out they are faux. Le sigh. While ordering something unrelated from One Step Ahead, I added a pair of clearance 18-month pants to my basket to reach the level of free shipping (I'm so compulsive about that. Am I the only one?), and they look like they will fit in the waist, but they are too long, of all things.

I'm looking forward to the warmer weather for a lot of reasons, but especially because the kidlet can wear shorts again -- a lot of his 12-month stuff will still fit, and we ought not have as much of a length issue. Whew!

But still, I'm curious what brands you've found to fit your various sizes of toddler. Feel free to leave a comment below.

(Oh, and an aside: Regarding last week's potty post? He's shown not one speck of interest in the potty since then, except for sitting on it once, clothed. So maybe he's not as ready as we thought. We're OK with that.)

(Photo by me)

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Toddler Thursday
        

Here's a preview of the new Twilight movie, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," coming to theaters in June. Will you see it with your tween/teen daughters or sons?

Apparently, it's not just teenagers who love the "Twilight" series. Check out this Facebook group for fans who are moms.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Movies
        

Pi Day is back this weekend at the Maryland Science Center, along with a pre-St. Patrick's Day event and egg decorating workshops. Thanks to Shruti Rastogi for the list. Find more family-friendly events on our Find Local database:

Thursday, March 11:

Weird science: The North Carroll branch of the Carroll County Public Library is holding a Homeschoolers Weird Science activity at 2 p.m. Kids can learn about the wind by observing a hair dryer make a ping pong ball float, making paper pinwheels, and making straws fly. It’s for kids ages 7-11.

Circus symphony: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Cirque de la Symphonie will come together this Thursday through Sunday to put the French style of circus with performances by a contortionist, a head balancing artist, and more against the works of classical music. Thursday and Friday’s performances at 8 p.m. and Sunday’s performance at 3 p.m. will be at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, and Saturday’s performance at 8 p.m. will be at The Music Center at Strathmore. Ticket prices start at $34.

Friday, March 12:

Tuneful Tales: The Aberdeen branch of the Harford County Public Library will offer Tuneful Tales, an interactive musical story time from 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. Kids from 18 months to kindergarten and their guardians are welcome to join in on the story time told totally in music and age-appropriate instruments.

Spelling bee: Sixty-four students from grades 4 through 8 will compete in the 6th Annual Howard County Library Spelling Bee at 7 p.m. in Howard High School. The event is free and the winner will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C in May.

Saturday, March 13:

Making masks: Make armored animal masks this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Walters Art Museum's free Drop-In Art Activities. The masks focus on symbols and protection in armor and will be a collage made from mask forms, metallic papers, foils, etc. Kids can also discuss how to continue protecting animals, especially endangered ones.

Zoo opening: The Maryland Zoo will open for the 2010 season with a special “green carpet” event at the main gate. At 9:45 a.m. Don Hutchinson, the Maryland Zoo President and CEO, will meet and greet with patrons. Then at 9:55 a.m, weather permitting, African black-footed penguins Tux, Tails, and Ascot; ravens Rise and Conquer; and West African crowned crane Candy Crane will lead guests into the zoo. To celebrate its 134rd year in operation, the zoo is having a special gate ticket price of $5 a person for Saturday and Sunday. Kids under 2 are free.

Irish singing at the library: The Enoch Pratt Free Library is hosting performances by Batt and Maura Burns, a married couple from Ireland who will entertain viewers with traditional Irish storytelling, poetry, folk songs, Irish wit and humor, at two of its branches. They will perform at the Southeast Anchor Library at 11 a.m. and at the Brooklyn branch at 2 p.m. Copies of Batt Burns' new book, The King with Horse’s Ears and Other Irish Folktales, will be on sale after the programs.

Film your own commercials: The Miller branch of the Howard County Library is letting teens star in and film their own commercials for an upcoming library event using the library’s Flip cameras from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The best commercial(s) may be featured on Youtube.com or the library Web site.

Sunday, March 14:

Egg decorating workshops: The Creative Alliance at the Patterson is holding two free Pysanky Ukrainian Egg Decorating Family Workshops at noon and 2:30 p.m. Halyna Mudryj will be teaching attendees about the art of wax and dye egg decorating she learned from her Ukrainian grandmother. Materials will be provided and kids must be accompanied by adults. Walk-ins are invited, but advance registration by calling (410) 276-1651 is recommended.

Pi Day at the Maryland Science Center: The Maryland Science Center is hosting its annual Pi Day celebration with pie-eating contests at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. using Key Lime pies donated by Morton’s The Steakhouse. Anyone can sign up and 20 minutes before each competition, six people will be chosen to compete. There will also be a hula hoop endurance challenge and a Pi memorization competition. Events are free with regular admission, which is $14.95 for adults, $13.95 for those 60 and over, and $11.95 for kids 3 to 12.

(Photo of Pi Day at the Maryland Science Center by former Baltimore Sun photographer David Hobby)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do
        

The soft baby slings that have become so popular with celebrity and everyday moms alike may not be so safe, according to the head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. She told the Associated Press that the government is preparing a safety warning about the slings because they pose a risk of suffocation.

There have been concerns, including some raised by Consumer Reports, about the slings in the past posing both a risk of suffocation and injury.

Will you stop using yours?

(Associated Press photo)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Babies and Toddlers
        

St. Patrick's Day is next week, and it might bring our last chance to have soup as a Dinner Together this season. (Not that I mind -- I'm on record as being so over winter food.)

But it's fun to celebrate the day with kids with something more than just green cupcakes. This potato soup from our recipe archives, demonstrated for us a couple of years ago by a chef instructor at Baltimore International College, is easy and flavorful.

Here's how to make it:

Irish Potato Soup
Serves 4

4 pounds fingerling potatoes plus 4 fingerling potatoes for garnish (divided use)

salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion

1 head celery

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided use)

1/2 quart chicken stock

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 leek

chopped parsley for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Season 4 fingerling potatoes with salt and pepper and rub with olive oil. Roast until tender, about 20 minutes. Cut each potato into slices on the bias and set aside for garnish.

Prepare and finely chop onion, celery and the rest of the potatoes. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to a saucepan and sweat onions and celery for about 5 minutes. Add potatoes, chicken stock and bay leaf and simmer 20 minutes. Add cream and simmer another 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, split the leek and wash all dirt out of its layers. Julienne. Start to cook leeks in 1 cup cold vegetable oil, then bring oil up to frying temperature. Remove leeks from the oil when they are crispy but still green. Set aside on paper towels.

When soup has finished simmering, discard bay leaf. Put soup in mixer or blender, or use an immersion blender, and puree until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper; garnish with slices of roasted potato and fried leeks. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.

Per serving (not including garnish): 624 calories, 12 grams protein, 20 grams fat, 8 grams saturated fat, 104 grams carbohydrate, 12 grams fiber, 44 milligrams cholesterol, 418 milligrams sodium. Analysis by registered dietitian Jodie Shield.

Courtesy of Baltimore International College chef instructor Fred Parmenter

Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Christopher Assaf

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dinner Together, Food and Recipes
        

What's this the Los Angeles Times tells us -- that Disney is actually down on princess movie themes after a less-than-stellar box office performance from "The Princess and the Frog"?

It seems that boys are turned off by movies with "princess" in the title. So for its new version of the Rapunzel story, coming out in November, Disney is calling the tale "Tangled" and ramping up the role of "the infamous bandit Flynn Rider." (Huh?) Rapunzel herself is being made into a "feisty teen."

As transparent as this marketing move seems, as the mom of both a girl and a boy I'm cheering this development, and I know my daughter will, too. At the age of almost-9, she's not only over princesses, she's adamantly opposed to them. (She showed shades of that even when she was 3, when I told her the story of Rapunzel and she supplied a surprise ending.)

(Disney Enterprises photo)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Movies
        

You may remember when a parent asked one of our expert consultants last year whether a 12-year-old was too young to have a cell phone. (Read the expert's answer here.) Liz Atwood discusses giving a phone to her 8-year-old this Tween Tuesday:

I’m starting to wonder how old should kids be when they are allowed to have cell phones.

I recently overhead a conversation between two moms after the young child of one saw the child of the other with a cell phone. The younger child, who looked to be about 5 or 6, was saying he wanted a cell phone like the older child, who was 9. The Mom of the older child explained that the family had given the 9-year-old the cell phone because it was so affordable to do so—about $10 extra a month on the phone bill.

That’s exactly what happened to us. We gave our older child a cell phone when he turned 12 and was in middle school. But when we changed phone plans at Christmas time, we added a phone for our 8-year-old and ended up paying even less than we had paid previously.

Our younger son had asked for his own cell phone for more than a year, and it seemed like an affordable Christmas gift since we were changing plans anyway. But once we gave it to him, he seemed disappointed that it wasn’t the kind of phone where he could play video games or access the Internet.

Technology today has become increasingly affordable. Laptops cost less than $500. Three or four cell phones are as cheap as two. But should elementary school children have this kind of technology?

I’m divided about it. It seems like a waste that my 8-year-old doesn’t use his cell phone. But since it didn’t cost us extra, what’s the harm?

What do you think about giving small kids their own cell phones?

(Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (39)
Categories: Teens
        

Wildlife Week starts next week, but the weekend's tantalizing warm weather makes me think this is a great subject for today's Monday Consult. The National Wildlife Federation offers these tips for city kids to enjoy Wildlife Week:

--Take a walk in your neighborhood and take your time, get to know the birds and animals that call your neighborhood home. What are they doing this time of year, what are they eating? Can you see any bird nests?
--Check out any local trees near your house. Touch the bark, examine the leaves, smell the acorns and seeds.
--Look for insects and spiders and other creepy crawlies.
--Take photos or draw pictures of your wildlife neighbors. Put them into a collage.
--Visit a local nature center.
--Put some treats out for the birds.
--Join a community garden.

(Photo by me)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

Guest Dad Joe Burris is back with this Father's Day Friday post:

On a Saturday morning two weeks ago, my four-year-old daughter Onalenna woke me up and sung a wonderful rendition of “Happy Birthday” to me. Then she asked, “How old are you today, daddy?”

I smiled and with a choking voice replied, “I’m 47, Sweetie.”

My daughter looked at me puzzled, as if to wonder what about age 47 seemed to trigger so much emotion in me.

The truth is, I’ve been thinking about this birthday for a long, long time.

I am now the same age my father was when he passed away. I was 15 at the time; he died suddenly from complications following cyst removal surgery.

When you’re 15-years old and your father dies, you come to realize how many personal milestones occur after 15: Obtaining a driver’s license. Attending your prom. Graduating high school. Graduating college. Landing your first job. Getting married. Having children.

And you grow up to be a father mindful of the need to embrace all of your children’s milestones, before and beyond 15.

But in the days following my birthday, I’ve spent much time wondering about the father I will be -- and the quality of life my family will have -- should my own years extend well beyond that of my father. Namely, I worry about all my worries, the things I can control and those I cannot.

I thought about this last week when I was at a restaurant in my hometown of Florence, S.C. I befriended a 78-year-old from Upstate New York, a warm, sagacious man who was clearly enjoying his twilight years. As we talked about the ups and downs of life, I told him I had recently celebrated my 47th birthday.

“What are the three things,” he said, “that you must take care of in order to live a whole, complete and happy life?”

With each thing I mentioned -- my family, my faith, my finances, my responsibilities -- he smiled and shook his head. “No, you need to take care of the other three things in order to take care of each of those.”

Finally I gave up.

“Well,” he said, “the first thing you need to take care of is your health, and not just the health of your body, but that of your mind and your spirit.

“The second thing you need to take care of is your time, always use it wisely.

“And the third thing you need to take care of is your destiny. Some people call it your luck or your good fortune. But I call it your destiny.”

I’d consider that sound advice at any age.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

It's Sarah K.K., back with another installment of Toddler Thursday ...

Yesterday, a box arrived at our house, and in it was a training potty. I don't really think I'm ready for this. 

In fact, my husband and I hadn't really discussed a time frame for potty training, except for some vague notion of ... future. But lately, Isaac, who's 20 months old, has been acting interested by the idea, so, we figured, why not?

There is one boy in his class at day care who is starting the process, and I'm sure Isaac's noticed when he gets taken to the bathroom throughout the day. At home, he's taken an interest in the concept as well, declaring, "Bye-bye, pee-pee," whenever he hears a flush and occasionally indicating a desire to sit (fully clothed) on the (closed) toilet.

So: We have a potty. The current plan is to take it slow, follow his cues and just get him -- and us -- used to the idea. For now, that involves having him sit on it before bathtime and taking it from there. I'd be interested in hearing your experiences with training, and any suggestions, too.

On my way out of day care this morning, one of his teachers stopped to tell me a little story. He'd been on a walk with another teacher, and she was using "Red Light, Green Light" to get them to go and stop as needed. Teacher said, "Red Light," but Isaac wanted to keep on walking, so he looked back at her and said, "Green Light!"

I guess the lesson of the week is, when he wants to go, he wants to go. I suppose this means his dad and I better get with the program!

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 1:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Toddler Thursday
        

My daughter has always been a huge fan of "Alice in Wonderland." We even made it the theme of her sixth birthday party. The highlight was when my husband dressed as the White Rabbit and passed out Easter eggs, then was chased madly through the party by a pack of guests who wanted to know who was in the costume.

It's a little traumatic for my daughter to think about, even three years later.

But she still loves the story, so I was a little surprised at her lackluster response when I asked whether she was interested in seeing the Tim Burton version of the movie that will be out this weekend.

I got the same kind of reaction when I suggested the tricked-out version of "A Christmas Carol" last holiday season. The kids were just as happy to stay home with us and watch a classic, black-and-white "Christmas Carol" on TV.

I wonder if my kids are outliers, or whether they're actually on to something. Are the tricks of the new versions of classic tales actually robbing them of their power to stimulate the imagination? Is it more fun for a child to watch a stripped-down movie that lets the story shine through?

(Courtesy Disney Enterprises, Inc./MCT)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Movies
        

May I just say....sooo glad to be writing March in the headline.

Here's the short list of family fun stuff, compiled by intern Shruti Rastogi. (As always, more family events can be found on our events database):

Thursday, March 4:

Arithmetickles: Arts on Stage is presenting “Arithmetickles,” an interactive hour-long show that teaches viewers about math, at 10:15 a.m. and noon in the Chesapeake Arts Center of Brooklyn Park. It’s for kids in kindergarten through third grade. They’ll get to go on stage and play games and activities that use adding, subtracting, counting, shapes and patterns. Tickets cost $7 a person and can be bought at the door with cash (exact preferred) or check. To ensure a seat, make a reservation at (410) 252-8717.

Jump rope show: David Fisher, otherwise known as “The Rope Warrior,” will be at the Woodlawn branch of the Baltimore County Public Library for a jump rope show at 7 p.m. His Web site says he is the current Guinness World Record holder for the most “Rump Jumps,” which is “jumping rope while reclining on his bottom.” Fisher will power jump, do a light show with glow-in-the-dark ropes, and “Rump Jump.” Kids 6 and under need to be accompanied by an adult.

Friday, March 5:

“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying": Atholton High School presents the musical. On March 5 and 6 it will start at 7:30 p.m. and on March 7 it will start at 3 p.m. The play is intended for ages 9 and up. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for students and can be bought at the door with cash or check, or online with a credit card up to three hours before each show.

"Seussical the Musical:" The John Carroll School presents the Broadway musical that weaves together Dr. Seuss' most popular books and characters. On March 5 it will start at 7 p.m.; on March 6 it will start at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and on Sunday it will start at 2 p.m. The play is appropriate for all ages and costs $12 a ticket. They can be purchased at the door or at (410) 879-5053 with a credit card by 3 p.m. on Friday.

Financial Friday at Port Discovery: The Money Game at Port Discovery will take place at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The game is a part of Financial Fridays and lasts about an hour. It teaches kids about financial literacy by letting them play to earn dollar bill balls and then lets them decide to “Spend it!, Bank it!, Invest it! or Share it!” It for kids ages 2 to 10 and is free with regular admission, which is $12.95 for everyone 2 and up.

Saturday, March 6:

BSO family concert: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Enchantment Theatre Company will be performing the tales of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, based on Arabian Nights, at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall at 11 a.m. This is a BSO Family Concert and doors will open at 10 a.m. for the BSO Family Fun Zone, which will feature Port Discovery’s interactive World Rhythm Drum Circus and Maryland Zoo’s ZOOmobile, and an instrument petting zoo. The show lasts about an hour and is for kids 4+. Tickets cost $12-20.

The Maryland Home and Garden Show will take place this and next Saturday and Sunday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. There will be more than 400 exhibitors and families can enjoy walking through the 19 live garden showcasings. Joey Green, known for his quirky uses of common products like polishing jewelry with Alka-Seltzer, will be the featured speaker for March 6 and 7. The show is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on March 6, 12, and 13; and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 7 and 14. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $3 for kids 6-12 or $6 per person just for the Maryland Spring Craft Show; kids under 6 are free.

Teacher in space: Astronaut Ricky Arnold, who launched on space shuttle Discovery for a 13-day mission in March 2009, will be giving a free talk at Towson University in Smith Hall, room 326, at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. The talk is a part of the Saturday Morning Science Series done by the Hackerman Academy of Mathematics and Science and is intended for all ages. There will be a question and answer session.

UPDATE: The following event is on March 6. An earlier version of this post had the incorrect date, which was my fault. Kate.

Health fair: Howard County General Hospital is sponsoring the sixth Latino Health Fair at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center in Columbia from noon to 4 p.m. Doctors will be performing HIV testing and screenings for: blood pressure, colorectal cancer, skin analysis, glucose and cholesterol. There will be discussions in Spanish by John Hopkins doctors about child health at 12:30 p.m., diabetes at 1:30 p.m., and strokes at 2:30 p.m. Additional health information will available in Spanish as well as refreshments and giveaways. Most, if not all, doctors present will speak Spanish.

Sunday, March 7:

The Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department is having an all you can eat breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The menu include pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries, baked apples, toast, chipped beef, sausage gravy, fruit salad, cold cereal, coffee, hot tea, milk, and juice. Cash or check is requested and it costs $6 for 55+, $7 for 13-55 years, $5 for 5-12 years, and kids under 5 are free. Money benefits the fire department.

The Elkridge branch of the Howard County Library is hosting a Madden ’10 Wii Tournament from 1 to 4 p.m. The winner gets a $25 gift card to Best Buy. Participants are requested to register online or at any branch, but walk-ins are welcome.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do
        

It's National Cupcake Day 2010. (Not to be confused with the recent National Chocolate Cake Day.) Three recipes for your consideration, pictured from left to right:

--Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting, from Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten;

--Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes, a Cooking Light recipe contest winner we published a few years back;

--Double Kisses Chocolate Cupcakes, a recipe Hershey's contributed to a story we did on bake sales.

(Photos, left to right: Kate Shatzkin; Cooking Light; Hershey's)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Alert: A two-toed sloth was born recently in the tropical rain forest exhibit of the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Here it is:

According to a press release, the sex of the sloth -- the second born at the aquarium -- hasn't yet been determined, so there's no name yet. Being a sloth, he/she's probably not in any hurry, for anything. It does have an older brother, Howie, who was the first sloth born at the aquarium in September 2008.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

There's a new exhibit by local artist and author Patrick O'Brien at the central branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Intern Shruti Rastogi has the details:

The Enoch Pratt Free Library’s new art exhibit not only features dinosaurs in space, but also shows viewers the process one local artist uses to turns his ideas into illustrations and those illustrations into books.

“Space, Swords and Dinosaurs: The Creation of Art for Children’s Books” opened this week in the second floor gallery of the library’s Central branch. It displays the models, sketches, mock-ups, and paintings of Baltimore’s Patrick O’Brien, a children’s book author and maritime painter.
O’Brien is known for such books as The Great Ships, The Mutiny on the Bounty, Captain Raptor and the Moon Police, Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates, Sabertooth, and You Are the First Kid on Mars. He has been illustrating all his adult life.

O’Brien started as a freelance illustrator more than 20 years ago. He decided to write and illustrate his own books when he realized that if he wrote the books himself, he would have control over what he illustrated and would therefore get to “paint and draw what I like.” He has 12 books still in print.

Captain Raptor is his favorite character, and the group of third graders from Grace and Saint Peter’s School, who were there for the exhibit’s first day, seemed to agree, said Ellen Riordan, the coordinator of children’s services at the library.

“It was gratifying to see that the kids really got it,” O’Brien said. He said he overheard one boy recounting the plot of Captain Raptor and thought the exhibit was well summarized by a little girl who said that the exhibit taught kids how to make a book and that they, too, could make one if they really wanted.

The exhibit will continue until May 29. It features a wall with a collage of some of O’Brien’s illustrations designed by Jack Young, a graphic designer for the library. O’Brien will also be a featured speaker at the library’s CityLit Festival on April 17 and is displaying some of his maritime art at the U.S. Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis from March 5 to April 30.

2006 photo of Patrick O'Brien by Baltimore Sun photographer Amy Davis

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Things to Do
        

Here is the thing, Ron Howard. I know I was supposed to watch your show Parenthood last night. But a big part of parenthood with a small "p" that was not factored into the scheduling of said show is the omnipresent exhaustion that prevented me from watching the show.

You see, Ron, my nights lately go like this. After a long day of work, dinner, homework wrangling, a little fun with the kids, getting them into bed, and cleaning the kitchen, I sit down about 8:30 p.m. for some quality time with my husband.

Two hours later, one of us wakes up, still on the couch, and nudges the other, who had also fallen asleep. We go up to bed to sleep some more, and then wake up at 4 a.m., when we can't get back to sleep.

So I missed Parenthood at 10 p.m. But the Baltimore Twitterverse is talking about it, with pretty mixed reviews. Here's a sample:

@coconutlime: Parenthood has a great cast (I missed you, Lauren Graham!) but it is a mishmash of every TV family cliché. Maybe it will get better?

@mom2my3boys: really loved that new "parenthood" show!! Had me in tears! Such an emotional show and it was WONDERFUL!

@pussycatsdotcom: Wow. Parenthood. That was pretty awful.

@mccripple: the fam from Parenthood is very much like mine. Alike in that we're so close & I know I wouldn't be here without them & that we take care of one another.

What did you think of the show's first episode?

(Photo by Art Streiber/NBC/MCT)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

It's the last minute before the potluck/school auction/just plain dinner. You have little will and even fewer ingredients. What will you do?

If you are like me, you will keep the ingredients for the following nearly-instant recipe in your freezer and pantry (if you buy pesto in a tube) so that you will always have dinner. And my kids don't love it -- but they don't hate it! Which I told them classifies it as a success.

Here's how to make it:

Cheese Tortellini with Pesto and Peas
Serves 6
19 ounces frozen cheese tortellini
16 ounces frozen peas
1/4 to 1/2 cup prepared pesto
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Bring a pot of water to a boil according to tortellini package directions. Add tortellini and peas together. Cook until tortellini is al dente and floats to the top of the pot. Reserve about ½ cup of cooking water, then drain the pasta and peas. Return pasta and peas to the pot. Mix in pesto and reserved cooking water. Transfer the mixture to serving bowls and sprinkle cheese over the top. Add salt and pepper if desired.

Per serving (based on 1/2 cup pesto): 448 calories, 17 grams fat, 21 grams protein, 6 grams saturated fat, 6 grams fiber, 47 milligrams cholesterol, 569 milligrams sodium. Analysis by registered dietitian Jodie Shield.

Photo by me

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 5:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

It's Dr. Seuss' birthday. You can take a poll about your favorite Seuss book at the Read Street blog, as well as check out Dr. Seuss Day at the Forest Park branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Or, just visit Seussville.

Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Jed Kirschbaum

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Liz Atwood thinks about how we treat kids who haven't tried their best in competition this Tween Tuesday:

The Olympics are over, but I’m still thinking about competition and what it teaches our children. Recently, my son was involved in an academic competition and turned in a mediocre performance.

I knew he did not do his best because for the weeks leading up to the event, he had refused to study. It was his decision to sign up for the competition, but as the weeks passed, his enthusiasm waned. I repeatedly had to remind him to study, until at last, I too, gave up and decided to let him suffer the consequences of his lack of preparation.

On the day of the competition, my son seemed disinterested. Even when offered the chance to review questions during a break, he did not. Meanwhile, the members of the team who went on the win the competition seemed excited and happy to be there. During the break, they quizzed each other and celebrated each time one answered correctly.

When the competition ended, as is the custom these days, everyone received a medal for participation. Then ribbons were given out to the finalists. My son’s team placed about in the middle of the group. When it was over, he asked if we were going to lunch to “celebrate.” I said I saw nothing to celebrate because I knew he had not given his best effort. He accused me of being unsupportive.

I wonder about the messages we send our children about competition these days. At a time when everyone gets a trophy for participation and a ribbon for just showing up, are we downplaying the significance of winning?

For two weeks, we watched athletes from around the world compete, and we learned that no matter how nice they are or how compelling their stories, whether they’ve suffered adversity or overcame injustice, the only thing that mattered during the competition was whether they were the fastest, strongest or best at their sport at that moment.

Only three received medals in each event. Many athletes, who worked hard and dreamed big, went home with only memories.

So was I being unsupportive because I wouldn’t treat my son to lunch? I don’t think so. I want my children to know that it’s OK to try and fail, but it’s not OK to not try. Failing doesn’t make you a failure. But succeeding at something you’ve worked for does make you a success.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Parenting in general
        

It's time to think about signing kids up for summer camp, if you haven't already. Eve Eifler, of the Baltimore service Tips on Trips and Camps, has these pointers on "myths and facts" about camps for our Monday Consult. (Note: It's mostly about overnight camps, but some of her advice can apply to day camps, too):

Myth: “Overnight camp is only for the rich.”

Fact: The truth is that there is a camp out there to fit every budget. And, if you plan ahead, you can take advantage of early enrollment discounts and financial aid. Applying early, it is possible to get a 20-50 percent discount off of camp tuition, based on need. Private camps tend to be more expensive, so contact camps run by your local county government or agencies like the Campfire Boys and Girls, the Jewish Federation, Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Jewish Community Center, and the Salvation Army. Lastly, inquire about shorter sessions and discounts for multiple children from one family.

Myth: “Only I know what is best for my child.”

Fact: It is tempting for us (especially if we are former campers) to re-create our own camp experience for our child. While the saying “Mother knows best” is true in most circumstances, some input from your child is the best approach when choosing a camp. Involving the child in the camp research may produce unexpected results. Maybe you think an all-boys camp is the best place for your son, but he may want the opportunity to make friends with girls in a relaxed setting. You may think your daughter wants to be at a camp that specializes in art and drama because that is what she enjoys, but maybe she wants to improve her tennis game this summer. Ask your child: do you want to build on your existing strengths and interests this summer or try something new? Be open to the unexpected!

Myth: “If I send my child to camp with a friend, it will make her more comfortable.”

Fact: What outwardly seems to provide a safety net has its pitfalls. A friend can sometimes act as a barrier to your child’s making new friends. All too often, one of the campers has a difficult time. The other child then feels responsible for the friend, which can be extremely burdensome. In addition, your child may choose his activities based upon his friends’ interests, rather than his own. It is important to weigh the comfort of going with a friend with the possible drawbacks. If going with a friend is the only way your child will try camp, it might be worth it. Just prepare your child with possible scenarios and provide him with the problem-solving strategies.

Myth: “A specialty camp – rather than a traditional camp – is the best place for my child.”

Fact: Specialty sports camps focus on teaching technical skills, not necessarily life skills. A child goes to this type of program to work on the skills for one sport (or for the art form, or for drama, etc.), rather than to be part of a community found in a traditional camp. Parents should not make the mistake of thinking a specialty camp will necessarily provide counselors to take care of a homesick child. The coaches and instructors are there to teach skills, not to help your child to make a friend. Therefore, I usually recommend younger kids attend these programs with a friend.

Myth: “A 1-week session is the best way to ease into an overnight camp experience.”

Fact: Sometimes it is the parent who sets a child up for an overnight camping failure by offering things like “I will pick you up if you are unhappy,” or “Let’s just try this camp for one week to see how it goes.” Kids need a chance to feel homesick and get through it with the help of counselors and individual coping mechanisms to feel successful about a camp experience. One week barely gives a child a chance to find their way around a camp, much less feel the tinge of missing Mom and Dad (or the family dog). A two to four week introductory session allows the child to be immersed in the daily routine of a new and safe place, build friendships that will carry over until the next summer, and feel the success of doing something totally on their own. Do the research right and feel comfortable with letting go!

Myth: “My son plays sports all year long, so I want to give him a break from the routine.”

Fact: While it is a nice break for some kids to fish and hike at camp, others just want to play ball! I advise parents to look for a camp that can provide the sports that the child likes, plus some new challenges that the parents might want for their child. Summer sports are far different than sports during the school year. There is less of an emphasis on winning. A child who can’t make the select baseball or soccer team at home may shine in a camp environment. There are no “helicopter parents” hovering over their kids or yelling on the sidelines. One camp director told me that at the beginning of each session, the campers focus much more heavily on the sports because this is how they are comfortable socializing. Yet, by the middle to end of the session, the kids are much more comfortable to take risks – both athletically and socially. Whether it is up to bat or on the boat, these camps hire counselors who serve as role models to teach qualities like good sportsmanship, teamwork, and learning to lose gracefully.


(Photo: Prospective campers and their families visit Camp Milldale in Reisterstown. Here, camp director Dori Zvili talks about water activities with the lake behind her. By Baltimore Sun photographer Barbara Haddock Taylor.)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: The Monday Consult