Here's Guest Dad Joe Burris with Father's Day Friday:

Whenever I speak to college journalism classes, I tell them that I spent 18 years of my 23-year journalism career as a sportswriter, and some students look in awe and ask, “Why would give up that job?”

Sometimes I wish I had a copy of such stories as one currently making headlines in sports, involving an NFL general manager and a would-be NFL draft pick.

Leading up to the last week’s draft, Miami Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland conducted a pre-draft interview with a player that Miami apparently had interest in selecting, Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant.

Now, Bryant’s background had been reported prior to the draft. His mother was 15 when she gave birth to him and she served some time in jail for selling crack cocaine.

It seems Bryant’s family history led Ireland to believe he could broach any question that came to mind. Questions like:

“Is your mother a prostitute?”

That is what Ireland is reported to have asked Bryant during the interview. Bryant reportedly answered, “No,” in an outraged tone, but he refrained from any further action lest he hurt his chances of employment in the NFL. And Ireland has since apologized for the question.

I have to admit that if I were still a sportswriter and had been assigned this topic, I would have found it difficult to cover it. I understand that these days many sports teams are eager to screen prospects as much as possible to flesh out any potential bad seeds before investing millions in them.

But I can’t imagine how such a question makes sense in a job interview -- be it for a job with an NFL team or Silicon Valley tech firm or car wash.

I’ve lived a fairly uneventful life, one that some folks might classify as nerdy, and I hope it stays that way. But when my young daughters enter the working world, I don’t want a prospective employer to ask anything about me -- even such questions as, “Why did your dad give up sports writing?”

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

Here's the short guide to family fun this weekend. You can find a fuller list at our events database. Highlights include the Kinetic Sculpture Race on Saturday. And...there's a special discount code for Charm City Moms readers for "Curious George Live" to read about below.

Thursday, April 29:

Preschool Story Time takes place at 9:30 a.m. at the Parkville Library and at 10:30 a.m. at library branches in Catonsville and Hereford.

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

Friday, April 30:

Curious George Live! plays at the Lyric Opera House Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. For $3 off your ticket ((excluding Gold Circle and Monkey Seats), use the code FRIEND here.

Fire Prevention Safety at the Woodlawn Library includes a demonstration talk and fire-truck tour at 10:30 a.m.

Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour takes place through Sunday at the B&O Railroad Museum.

Saturday, May 1:

Kinetic Sculpture Race: This eight-hour annual race of creative contraptions is hosted by the American Visionary Art Museum.

Towsontown Spring Festival runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday in Towson's business district, featuring lots of live music and a kids' and tweens' area. (How often do you see a tweens' area?)

Family Nature Walk takes place at Irvine Nature Center Saturday and Sunday at noon.

Middle Eastern Bazaar is the theme of drop-in art activities at the Walters Art Museum Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday, May 2:

MayFair-Hooray for Play! Port Discovery Children’s Museum is holding its healthy living and learning themed fundraiser for their Family Access Program, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Activities include “Germ No More” where kids use a glow-in-the-dark lotion to see how well they wash their hands, “Fun and Fitness Charms” where kids can make shrink-dinks and “mom medals” for Mother’s Day, “KinderFit” where Pam Minor the kindersinger will engage kids in physical activities, and a soccer obstacle course set up by the Baltimore Blasts and Crystal Palace. Tickets cost $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers and kids two and under are free. Tickets give access to all activities, including a catered buffet lunch by the Harbor School. Tickets can be bought online or by calling (410) 864-2667.

Family Day on the Farm: Rolling Hills Ranch in Port Deposit is holding a family day from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to benefit the Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program. The Luther Home, which was built for a 2007 episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition will be open to the public for a charge of $10 for 18+ and $5 for kids 17 and under. There will also be food for purchase, pony rides, equestrian demonstrations, a silent auction, children’s games, face painting, flower sales, hay rides, a puppet show, craft activities, music, and more. Parking and admission will be free, but donations are welcome.

Kinetic Sculpture Race photo courtesy of Andy Carruthers, kineticbaltimore.com

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Things to Do
        

Our story of a local third-grader who was bullied so constantly that she had (at least) thoughts of suicide and ultimately had to switch schools is getting lots of traffic on our site today.

The child has cerebral palsy and uses crutches, which particularly broke my heart.

But this is a problem that resonates with many parents.

The problems at Gilmor Elementary School are extreme, according to several people quoted in the story. But I am curious about bullying at your school. Has your child been a target? Do you see it happening in the halls? And if it's your child who's the bully, how do you handle it?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (20)
Categories: School's In
        

Today we are snacking together, courtesy of a recipe for homemade soft pretzels that @deam shared via Twitter.

You can find the recipe on her blog, The White Hall Craigs.

These were delicious. We coated them with butter and salt at the end.

The only trick to these is getting the ropes of dough thin enough so that they'll look like the kind of soft pretzels you buy at a pretzel stand. This dough is sticky, and I must confess I wasn't as disciplined as I should have been about getting the ropes thinner. So my pretzels look a bit puffy. But they tasted great!

(Photo by me)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dinner Together
        

R U ready 4 Tween Tuesday? Liz Atwood wants to know about your tween's texting habits:

A new Pew Research study found that text-messaging among teens and tweens has skyrocketed in the past 18 months. The study found that three-quarters of kids ages 12-17 use cell phones and that texting is the preferred method of communication. These texters average 50 texts a day – older girls text on average a 100 times a day. More than half of them have sent a text message during class.

I saw a CNN report on this study that featured a number of tweens and teens who admitted to be addicted to texting. My boys have their issues with video games. Currently, we’re under a video game embargo at my house because they have been overdoing the games at the expense of their studies. But texting is not something either one likes to do. Both of them have phones that they rarely use. I’m not sure why my boys who love the Xbox and computer aren’t into texting, but I’m glad that’s one behavior I don’t have to monitor.

Is your tween part of the texting revolution? Have you had to set limits on how much your tween texts?

Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Amy Davis

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Teens
        

"Kate Plus 8" is moving closer to, um, reality with the news today that the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has approved work permits for the eight Gosselin children to appear on a new reality show with their no-longer-Dancing-With-The-Stars mom.

Does this mean I've got to watch the show and live-blog it....alone? As Kate Plus 2?

If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the archives of John & Kate Plus 2 Watch Jon & Kate Plus 8. Featuring John, my husband, who is thankfully still with me.

AFP/Getty Images photo

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (30)
Categories: John & Kate Plus 2 watch Jon & Kate Plus 8, Television
        

Today's Monday Consult is in answer to KMT, who wrote:

My 8 month old has her 3rd ear infection in 3 months. I'm concerned we're going down a road toward ear tube surgery. When does that become a discussion item with the pediatrician? What can be done to prevent infant ear infections? I believe they're fairly common. Thanks.

I got this reply from Mercy Medical Center family practice physician Dr. Thomas Vento:

Any child with recurrent otitis media will typically be evaluated for tympanostomy tubes (ear tubes) after 3 or more episodes in a 6-month period or 4 or more episodes in a year. In your child's case, I would likely discuss this with your pediatrician now and get their opinion on whether they think it is necessary.

Younger children tend to be more prone to ear infections due to developing anatomy, and the position of the Eustachian tubes. They are quite common as you stated, but aren't always treated with antibiotics. It is very important to be evaluated by your family physician or pediatrician prior to taking any antibiotics.

One of the main things that can be done to prevent ear infections is to avoid exposure to smoking in the home. Another important method of prevention is to be sure and receive all recommended immunizations.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

It seems that some of our very local young ones are about to become TV stars, with new babies from Mercy Medical Center and Greater Baltimore Medical Center soon to be featured on the Discovery Channel and TLC, respectively.

Picture of Health has the details.

(Photos of the Clingan triplets from GBMC)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Television
        

Guest Dad Joe Burris is here on Father's Day Friday with a tale of a bumpy ride -- or, rather, a bumpy stop -- at New York's Penn Station:

The way I see it, the famous African proverb about childrearing needs a bit of tweaking.

It does take a village to raise a child, provided that you screen the villagers in advance for civility.

Some traveling through New York’s Penn Station during a recent Sunday might not have made the grade.

I was riding an Amtrak train then as it made its scheduled stop at Penn Station en route to Washington.

Now, the Penn Station stop lasts about 30 minutes; there’s no need to make haste in disembarking or boarding.

But you never would have known that by the scores of passengers rushing to board the train while others were still trying to get off.

Gridlock ensued at the exit doors and in the aisles. Among those stuck in the logjam: a mother carrying a small child.

“Can I get by?” the woman said as she struggled to inch her way to the door. The folks getting on ignored her query...

So she asked again, but the next time more emphatically.

“Can I get by? I’ve got a toddler here, as you can see!”

That prompted a woman boarding the train to -- get this -- lose her temper...

“You move! You’re in our way!” she fired back.

That prompted a shouting match between the two, and (probably not by accident) a pathway cleared. The two women kept bickering even after the one with the toddler had left the train.

My older daughter, who was riding with me, had gotten up for a snack and missed the whole thing, for which I am grateful.

Perhaps I’m being a bit naïve to assume that these grown-ups would consider the child present and simply step aside. Or that there’s no need to bring weekday rush-hour tension and hostility into a Sunday evening.

I’m ever reminded of how when teens misbehave in public, and stir the fears and anxieties of adults, they prompt city officials to impose a curfew.

When adults in the village act like idiots, what do they get?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

Happy Earth Day! There's lots to do around town to make the world greener. Here's the short list of distinctive weekend fun. And here are more Baltimore-area Earth Day events.

Thursday, April 22:

Fun Food Fest: Kids and teens 11-17 can play with their food in this event at 2:30 p.m. at the Landsdowne branch of the Baltimore County Public Library.

Ravens Go Green for Earth Day: The Ravens and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake clean up along the Gwynns Falls Trail. Volunteers can join in.

Hey, Mr. DJ: D.J. Jahmal Johnson will be giving teens hands-on time with a dual CD player, mixer and equalizer to control sound, and your own device at the Randallstown branch of the Baltimore County Public Library. Registration is preferred; call (410) 887-0770. Walk-ins are welcome.

Friday, April 23:

Day Out with Thomas offers train rides and activities themed for the famous tank engine at the B&O Rail Museum through May 2.

Johns Hopkins University Spring Fair: This fair at the university's Homewood campus runs through Sunday, with lots of children's activities.

Saturday, April 24:

Party for the Planet:Celebrate Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.

The Earth Day Celebration at the National Aquarium runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Included with admission.

Silly Goose and Val's Musical Zoo performs at 10:30 a.m. at the Reisterstown branch of the Baltimore County Public Libraryhttp://findlocal.baltimoresun.com/reisterstown-area/community-events/community-events/silly-goose-and-vals-musical-zoo-reisterstown-branch-library-community-event for kids 2-5.

The Station North Spring Music Festival lasts from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Station North.

Sunday, April 25:

March of Dimes Greater Baltimore March for Babies kicks off at 9 a.m. at Oriole Park to raise money for community programs that help pregnant women. Registration at 8 a.m.

Photo of the 2006 Johns Hopkins spring fair by Baltimore Sun photographer Lloyd Fox

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do
        

I'm preempting my usual Dinner Together day to announce a Mother's Day initiative. I'm calling it the Letters Project.

I'm looking for you -- yes, you -- mothers and grandmothers to send me letters you have written to your daughters and sons. If you haven't written any, write one now. It can be for your child to read as a teenager, or as an adult, or for this very moment. It can even be to your unborn child, or the child you hope to have or will never have, or to one who has died.

If a Tweet is all you have time for, write and send me that.

Then we're going to share all this great advice with each other, culminating in a (hopefully) big splash for Mother's Day.

It started because I got the most wonderful letter from my grandmother the other day...

She's been dead for more than 20 years. And the letter wasn't to me. It was a great surprise from a cousin, who wrote that she had "borrowed" my grandmother during a breakup many years ago. (Her grandmother, my great-aunt, had died.)

My grandma Leah Patterson, for whom my daughter Leah is named, was a fantastic lady -- funny, warm, and not just smart as a whip, but wise. In this letter, she didn't disappoint.

It's dated Sept. 4, 1979. Grandma was 83 years old and a longtime widow. Here's some of her advice to my cousin on what to do after the breakup:

"I do realize that this is an especially restless age, but you have so much to contribute -- young and strong -- brains and beauty. I'm sure if you go ahead and do as you are now...use your talents -- you'll enjoy it, and the man problem will suddenly solve itself."

"Men seem to be unsure of themselves since women are taking over so many things, but maybe that too will pass and we'll all enjoy feeling liberated and equal and life will be normal again."

(Um. Grandma? Not as much progress on that front as you would have thought by 2010...)

"In the meantime, have all the fun you can with your contemporaries of both sexes. It's nice to remember your fun time when you can't climb fences!"

"I'm still having fun in a different way. I play bridge three and four times a week, eat out a lot with some other crazy old ladies, and I just bought myself a color TV!"

I can't wait to read and share your advice. And, I promise, I will write a letter for my kids, too, and share it with you here.

(Photo of letter from my grandmother by me)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holidays, Mother's Day letters
        

This Tween Tuesday, Liz Atwood discusses the recent research that shows paying kids for their school work can actually pay off:

A story caught my eye in Time magazine last week about studies that show it is sometimes beneficial to pay kids to do well in school.

The story featured research by Harvard economics Professor Roland Fryer Jr., who studied the effectiveness of financial incentives at schools in Dallas, Chicago, Washington and New York City. Fryer found that while paying kids to do well on tests had no effect, second graders who were paid to read books showed dramatic improvements in their reading comprehension. Middle school students in Washington who were paid for a variety of actions, including attendance and behavior, also seemed to show improvement in reading.

Some Baltimore schools have tried financial rewards as well, but in my son’s elementary school, the only reward is a key chain and a pep rally for good behavior every quarter. Sadly, he has yet to make it an entire 10 weeks without some blemish on his record.

Paying kids for doing well in school is controversial. Many parents and educators believe children should work for the love of learning, not the love of money. Part of me agrees, but then, I’ve sometimes tried financial incentives to get my sons to master some of their school work—memorizing multiplication tables for example.

What do you think? Have you paid your kids for good grades or test scores? Have you had experience with schools they pay children for performance?

(Photo from istockphoto)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Teens
        

You'll remember that I promised an expert's viewpoint on Mommy's question last week, in which she described an uncomfortable situation with a friend who she felt was too physical in disciplining his child. Our poll on the subject yielded some interesting responses.

Patricia Cronin, executive director of the Family Tree, a local child-abuse prevention organization, wrote the following advice:

It is best to support a parent struggling with a child ‘in the moment.’ Sometimes, a knowing glance from a caring friend can turn a stressful moment into a manageable one. In this case, that didn’t happen. But it is NOT too late to impact the life of a 6-year-old boy and salvage the relationship of a college friend. Ideally, it would be best to approach a friend in the next few hours after the trip-when the adults are free of offspring. Remember, your friend is likely embarrassed, shamed and eager for ideas to manage his child. The approach I’d suggest is as follows:

1. Plan to discuss the trip with your friend as soon as possible when the children are not present. Start the conversation with comfortable details about the day…what the children liked best? The drive? Food?
2. If your friend introduces the child’s misbehavior, empathize, and acknowledge that you, too, know how difficult it is to parent. Share an example when you were stressed out and your little charmer was having a tantrum.
3. Share your discomfort with his discipline practice. Give him room to admit that he is dissatisfied with his tactics as well. Brainstorm on strategies that might work, like:
--Clarify with the children in advance the plan, rules and who is in charge;
--Anticipate a melt down and pre-plan a snack break;
--If a melt down occurs, make sure the children know that they will be removed from the group;
--If your child is being bossy, assign the little one a special in-charge task of something important, such as holding the ticket receipts for everyone;
--Always hold a pocket full of various small objects to distract any bored little person;
--A soothing CD or a good book is a useful distraction during drive time.

If your pal avoids the topic, please be brave, and introduce the incident yourself. Share your discomfort with how he handled the little boy. Clearing the air now likely will determine the outcome of your ongoing relationship with your college chum. Certainly, the outcome of the discussion will influence your decision to allow your own children to be left under his care. Trust your instincts. If you sense your friend is in denial, let him know how you disagree with his discipline approach. Re-enforce that you have concerns for the child’s well being. Suggest that he call his child’s pediatrician or school counselor to schedule an appointment and seek assistance. There is no shame in seeking help for complex problems.

If you chose to stay friends with your college pal while he works through these issues, do not leave your children in his care. If going forward you see him harming his child or have reason to believe (scars on body) that the child suffered harsh discipline, call the local department of social services and inform them of your concerns. Children learn primarily through cooperating and imitating. There is no scientific evidence that harsh or physical discipline benefits children at all; indeed, the opposite is true. Harsh discipline practice is associated with a host of negative child outcomes from academic performance to delinquency. For additional information on parenting, please call The Family Tree Stressline at 800.243.7337 or visit our website.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

Guest Dad Joe Burris plucks gray hairs this Father's Day Friday:

A while back, I read the following adage in a hilarious book, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Health Fair,” by Fred Neil:

“Time might be a great healer, but it’s also lousy beautician.”

I considered that a few weeks ago, when, while shaving my face, I decided to spare the stubble on my chin and grow my first beard in nearly five years.

I noticed many thin, gray slivers protruding from my face, but I had no idea how many until I allowed them to grow.

They were everywhere, and I considered the gray hairs weeds, choking nourishment and life out of the shiny black strands that I looked forward to growing.

I just turned 47, yet people still tell me that I look young for my age. I’m sure that’s due in part to the fact that when my hairline began to recede behind my ears, I went bald -- coincidentally at a time when many young people made baldness a fashion statement.

But this was different. I tried Grecian Formula, but it didn’t work as fast as I wanted. The gray kept coming in. I envisioned that I’d soon resemble someone out of a picture bible.

One day, as I looked with chagrin at my chin in the mirror, I reached for some tweezers and began plucking away.

“Daddy, what are you doing?” asked my 4-year-old daughter Onalenna, who came up on me suddenly.

“I’m getting rid of my gray hairs.”

“Why?”

“Because they make me look old.”

“Old?” she replied, curiously. “Why do they make you look old?”

I didn’t have much of an answer for that. But I also lost interest in plucking, too. I winced at the possibility of a full gray beard, but I let it go.

And recently, two of my colleagues complimented my beard, and when I said I wondered whether it made me look old, each replied that it rather made me look, “distinguished.” I like that word.

So now I figure perhaps time isn’t such a bad beautician after all. I’ve grown to admire the multi-hued strands on my chin, and I’ve come to believe that old adage that age is just a number.

No gray area there.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

Sarah K.K. gets extra props for filing today's Toddler Thursday post, given what she has been through. I'm sure any mom who's had a Cesarean section with the second child can relate:

Just a short post today, as I'm at home recovering from some emergency surgery over the weekend. But it's exactly that that raises my question. One side effect of the surgery is that I can't lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for at least a couple of weeks. This, of course, means I can't pick up my almost-2-year-old, and he and I are both a little bit confused.

When I got home Tuesday, we told Isaac he had to be careful because "Mommy has an owie tummy." But then later, he didn't want to come over and give me a hug. We weren't sure if we over-emphasized the whole "owie" issue or if he was just really tired and fussy. Or both.

So mostly I'm curious for those parents out there who have had limitations on lifting after surgery or childbirth: How did you explain to your little ones that you weren't as mobile as usual or that you couldn't pick them up?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Toddler Thursday
        

Tax Day brings some bargains for those who time it right. You may already have read that you can get free treats at some Maggie Moo's locations. There are free cupcakes at the Cinnabon in Towson tonight (please do NOT tell my daughter). More Tax Day freebies and deals here and here.

(PRNewsFoto of Maggie Moo's Ice Cream Pizza)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Here's the short list of family fun for this weekend. Don't forget to check our events database for more.

Thursday, April 15:

Free ice cream on Tax Day: Hit Maggie Moo's for a free treat from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Recycled Cuffs: Kids 11 to 17 can make cuffs from recycled materials at the Rosedale branch of the Baltimore County Public Library. 4 p.m.

Friday, April 16:

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival kicks off today at the Timonium Fairgrounds and runs through Sunday, with plenty of activities for kids.

Saturday, April 17:

Planet Walk: Celebrate Earth Day by walking or biking 4.7 miles along the B&A Trail at Baltimore and Annapolis Trail Park. Make sure you check out the Solar system themed sculptures and information stations.

Eco Fest: Celebrate Earth Day from noon to 6 p.m. at Druid Hill Park with yoga, a bike ride, music and more.

Howard County Green Fest: Learn about green products and local foods from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Howard Community College. There will be a live animal display.

Sunday, April 18:

Earth Day Kids Unplugged: Children and families can explore the forest, make reusable lunch boxes and bird feeders and plant trees to help with the reforestation of a portion of Irvine's property and more at 11 a.m. at Irvine Nature Center.

March for the Animals: The Maryland SPCA holds its annual event at Druid Hill Park.

(Photo of March for the Animals)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do
        

Earth Day messages are starting to come home from school, and one of the best ways to connect kids with this annual celebration of our environment is through food.

Otherwise, sometimes it's a hard concept to get. My first-grader is in a great Environmental Club at school, run by very creative and caring parent volunteers. "I love the environment," he said once. "Mom -- what's the environment, again?"

For Dinner Together day, here are some recipe resources to help you explain:

--Earth Day recipes from Kaboose.

--Easy green guacamole from Mollie Katzen.

--If all else fails, make sweet "dirt"!

And here's a great chicken recipe with spring greens from our recipe archives that I tried a few years ago:

Chicken With Greens and Spring Onions
Publication date: 05/21/2008
Serves 4

1 small chicken (2 1/2 to 3 pounds), whole or cut into parts
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (divided use)
2 cups coarsely chopped spring onions (green and white parts)
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups firmly packed, coarsely chopped greens, such as tatsoi, mizuna, arugula or spinach
1/3 cup chopped fresh dill
2 teaspoons salt, plus extra for seasoning
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
3 tablespoons herbes de Provence

Rinse the chicken under cold water, pat dry and set aside in the refrigerator in a baking dish. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In a medium skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat, add the onions and garlic, and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the greens and dill and toss well.

Reduce the heat, cover and cook for about 3 minutes, or until greens are wilted. Remove from the heat. With a slotted spoon, transfer the greens to a bowl to cool, seasoning well with salt and pepper. Reserve any juices. Pull the skin back from the chicken and stuff the cooked greens under the skin.

In a small bowl, combine the herbes de Provence, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Rub the mixture over the chicken.

Place the chicken in a roasting pan and add the reserved juices from the greens. Roast in the oven until a thermometer inserted in the thigh joint registers 175 degrees, about 15 to 20 minutes per pound for a whole chicken and a total of 45 minutes to 1 hour for a cut-up chicken.

Let the chicken stand for 15 minutes before serving. Skim off the fat from the pan juices and pour the juices over the chicken as a sauce.

Per serving: 475 calories, 37 grams protein, 34 grams fat, 7 grams saturated fat, 6 grams carbohydrate, 2 grams fiber, 112 milligrams cholesterol, 1,287 milligrams sodium. Analysis by registered dietitian Jodie Shield.

From "Simply Organic" by Jesse Ziff Cool

You may also be interested in these posts:

Searching for natural kids' shampoos

Do your part; recycle kids' art

Dinner Together: Chard Frittata

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Have you seen this answer to the duct tape prom dress?

I love stories like these because, as the girl's mom says, being original as a teen is hard. When other girls are trying to follow the crowd, this one is following her imagination -- and creating something really distinctive to wear to prom in the process.

It's one of those things I plan to show my 9-year-old...

when she talks about wearing the "right" thing.

The other thing I think about when I see a story like this is how few kids even know how to sew any more. Certainly there aren't many moms who do. (Beyond hemming and sewing on a button, I've forgotten what little sewing I learned in summer camp classes.) Without basics like that, it's harder to create something homemade.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Teens
        

Liz Atwood wonders how old is old enough to walk to school this Tween Tuesday. For more on the subject, check out our recent story:

The other day, my 9-year-old son announced that he was bored and was going to walk to a friend’s house. He was out the door and more than a block away before I could put my shoes on and catch up to him. I ordered him back in the house, reminding him that he doesn’t just say he’s going to go out, but needs to ask permission first, and that he should be polite enough to call to see if his friend is home.

His brashness aside, the incident brings up the old question of when is a child old enough to walk alone to school or to a friend’s house. First lady Michelle Obama has made childhood obesity one of her causes. We all know the kids need to get off the couch and put down the video games and exercise more. But personally, I don’t have time to chauffer my kids to organized sports every day for the recommended hour of physical activity.

I wonder if I should start by allowing my son to walk to and from school—about four suburban blocks away—on a route that has sidewalks and little traffic.

A new report from U.S. Department of Transportation finds that the decline in kids walking or biking to school has stabilized, but that still only 13 percent of children five to 14 years old usually walked or biked to school compared with 48 percent of students in 1969.
Do you let your kids walk alone to school? At what age do you think it is safe to do so?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Teens
        

A few weeks ago, Mommy asked an important question for the Monday Consult. I want to get an expert's answer to this, but first I am curious what readers of this blog would do in a similar situation. Here's Mommy's question:

I saw some old friends from college recently and our kids played together for the day downtown. One of my friend's sons (he's 6) was misbehaving, so the dad took him aside as I shepherded the other kids along (at the aquarium). Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my friend push his son into the wall! It was dark in the aquarium and I wasn't completely sure it was as egregious as I think it was. But, what really tipped me off, was that the dad rejoined us and said his son 'banged his head.' To me, this sounds like a classic abuser - 'tell them you fell down' story. The mom was not there and I am unsure what to do. When the dad made an excuse about why his son was crying, it really made me cringe. I guess this whole question is really about when to intervene on a child's behalf. Thanks.

What would you do? Take our poll and expand on your answer in the comments...

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Child Safety
        

OK, OK, it's not Thursday anymore. But it's been that kind of week. Let's get back to the post at hand, shall we?

Last week, all over Facebook -- and The Early Show and who knows where else -- this viral video was getting posted again and again: Kid is devastated when his dad tells him he's not a single lady! Sounds cute, right? And it absolutely is. Three kids are in the backseat, and they start rocking out when Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies" comes on the radio, none harder than the 3-year-old boy. His dad off-handedly tells him, sorry, kid, you aren't a single lady, and he dissolves into tears. It's one of those unexpected and hilarious moments that happen when you're raising a toddler. Lucky for dad, he had the video camera on, right?

At the end of the video, the dad turns the camera around on himself after having tried to console his son, and it's then that you realize: He is filming this moment while he is driving a car -- a car with three children in the backseat. Up until this moment, I thought the mom in the passenger seat was wielding the camera. I can't lie. I was horrified.

On his blog, the father, Carlos Whittaker says: I was holding the iphone but watching the road not the back of my iPhone. Just like I hold a coke can and drive. But trust me, next time I’ll hand it to the wife for sure!

I guess I can see how that would work, but honestly, it still feels irresponsible to me. Well, if that cell-phone ban ends up getting passed today, I guess videotaping while driving is going to fall into the category of unlawful behavior.

Personally, I thought that was already covered by common sense.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Toddler Thursday
        

Fans are buzzing today about Nintendo's announcement of its latest Pokemon games, Pokemon Black and Pokemon White.

My son doesn't even have a DS so far, but he's still obsessed with Pokemon. For him, the good old-fashioned trading cards are quite enough.

They've taken him -- and his Pokemon-obsessed friends -- into a world apart from me, and maybe that's the point. When I try to explain why math homework is important or force him to figure out what's 15 plus 5 by himself, I'm the one in control of the information. When he tries to explain the levels of damage and the characters and what the numbers in Pokemon mean, I'm the one in the dark. Yet he seems to know the rules instinctively.

I've tried to play Pokemon with him before. It never goes well. At some point during the game, my 9-year-old daughter, who's usually listening, yells out to Sam: "Are you taking advantage of Mom again?"

(Photo courtesy of Nintendo)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Parenting in general
        

Guest Dad Joe Burris writes today about what happens when FarmVille gets expensive for an unsuspecting parent:

Whenever I’m on Facebook, I see friends mentioning how well they’ve played the site’s popular game, FarmVille.

I’ve never been an online games player, so naturally I don’t understand what the fuss is about.
There’s a mother in the United Kingdom that likely wishes she could say the same for her 12-year-old son.

Reportedly, the boy ran up $1,400 in charges playing FarmVille -- $450 from his own savings account and (unbeknownst to her) $950 from his mother’s credit card.

This story says the woman’s credit card company won’t refund the money unless she reports her son to the police.

I’m reminded of years past when ads featuring products and services that kids could call in to order included the directive, “Ask your parents’ permission.” Apparently this kid never got around to it.

The story also said the tween has earned “the grounding of a lifetime.”

You think he’ll lose his Internet privileges for just as long?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: On the Web
        

As Tiger Woods plays in the Masters, Nike has launched this Tiger Woods ad, with the voice of Woods' father.

Words fail me here, but maybe you parents have some.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Television
        

The circus is in town! And there's more to do this weekend. Find a complete list at our FindLocal database for families. Here's a sampling:

Thursday, April 8:

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Presents ZING ZANG ZOOM: The circus will be at First Mariner Arena through April 14.

Curious George: Let's Get Curious: The exhibit continues through June 6 at Port Discovery Children's Museum.

Vinylmore 3: Munnyland: Check out this funky art toy show at Atomic Books in Hampden daily through May 2.

Ulysses Marshall: Storytales: The Maryland-based artist brings his grandmother's stories to life in his artwork at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African-American Culture. Through June 20.

Defeat Autism Now spring conference: Speakers will address a wide range of topics about this disorder through April 11 at the Marriott Waterfront.

Friday, April 9:

Fairy book author Bobbie Hinman: Kids can dress in fairy costumes to meet the author of books such as "The Sock Fairy" at 2 p.m. at the Elkridge branch of the Howard County Public Library.

Star party: Check out the night sky at the observatory at the Dundalk campus of the Community College of Baltimore County from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Call 45 minutes before to make sure skies are clear enough.)

Saturday, April 10:

The Great Scale Model Train Show is back at Timonium Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday. (So, for that matter, is the Smith College Book Fair -- and Friday, too.)

Privateer Day:This daylong "pirate invasion" brings tall ships and living history fun to Fells Point.

Pizza garden: Families can learn to grow vegetables for their own pizza sauce at Irvine Nature Center. Register by April 9.

Student history tournament and family fun day: History tournament at Coldstream Park Elementary School.

Sunday, April 11:

Harlem Globetrotters: The team performs at Towson Center Arena at noon and 4:30 p.m. on its "Magical Memories" tour.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Things to Do
        

For Dinner Together day, I point you to one mom's novel solution for the dashed hopes of the family dinner table. Dashed hopes of meaningful conversation, that is (we'll leave the hopes that everybody would actually eat the same thing to another time.)

You know what happens -- you hope for the kids to pour out all the interesting news about their days, to really bond with you. Instead comes a paltry diet of nothings and I-dunnos, followed quickly by a dessert of, "Can I be excused?"

Karen Telleen-Lawton took a different tack by borrowing a technique from, of all things, Toastmasters. Read about her technique and let us know if you've tried anything similar -- and how it worked out for you.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dinner Together
        

Births in the U.S. are down, possibly because of the economy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds -- except in the case of mothers over 40. For women in their early 40s, births went up 4 percent in one year in 2008, according to this story.

Some experts speculate that fertility treatments for older couples may be having an impact on the numbers.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Babies and Toddlers
        

Liz Atwood is back with a musing about dirt and bath time this Tween Tuesday:

Let’s talk dirt.

My tween has gradually been assuming more responsibilities for his hygiene—brushing his teeth, giving himself a bath, even choosing a deodorant, although so far he doesn’t seem to need it. I’m glad to see him showing more responsibility, although it feels a bit strange. When you bring a baby home from the hospital and that last piece of umbilical cord falls off, the first bath is one of those milestones you remember. I have pictures of both my boys’ first baths, which they are embarrassed for anyone to see.

Bath time always seem to mark the beginning of the end of the day. When I was especially tired and bedtime still too far away, I’d say, “Time for a bath.” Just getting to that point told me the day was almost over.

The bath was a chance to check to see if their bodies were OK—look at scrapes and bruises—and a chance to talk one-on-one about what was on their minds. Often our most meaningful conversations took place when they were in the tub.

But now that both boys are bathing themselves, I miss that time to talk...

And I have to trust that they are looking after their own bodies—washing behind their ears and getting the dirt out from the fingernails.

Some days they do a better job than others. And the tooth brushing is a constant battle. Our dentist says the tween years are the riskiest time. The kids are too big for the parents’ to brush their teeth, but they often don’t brush with the care they should. I constantly tell them their teeth will fall out if they don’t brush properly.

Hopefully they will make it through their teen years without too much dirt and tooth decay. At what point do you think a parent should give up taking care of a child’s hygiene?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Teens
        

The much-anticipated White House Easter Egg Roll is today -- and if you were among the many who didn't get tickets in this year's lottery, you can still watch portions of the event live, right here:

More live streams of the event can be found here.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holidays
        

What happens when a big brother meets new baby sister? Today's Monday Consult is an in-the-trenches report from guest blogger Oren Miller -- also known as A Blogger and a Father -- whose new baby girl arrived just about a week ago:

On Thursday morning, we drove to St. Joseph Hospital. My wife had to get a bunch of shots and transfusions and then lie down and wait for doctors to open up her belly. I had to make sure the battery for the camera was full. I brought the charger just in case. Always the extra mile with me, you know?

Once the surgery was over and everything was fine, we were ready to face the difficult issue of our two-year-old son. Being a stay-at-home dad, I felt my boy has gotten used to having a doting, loving, quick-to-respond, I-was-his-and-he-was-mine father. And everything has been going so well. And everything was going to change.

A couple of hours later, the boy was brought over to visit his sister. Remember all those times we pointed at Mommy's belly and said, "Baby sister?" or "Baby Madeline?" Well, here she was! She wasn't in Mommy's belly anymore! She was here, ready for you to kiss her and love her and--

One look at his sister sleeping in the bassinet, and the boy ran for the door, screaming, "Granny's house! Granny's house!"

We've ruined everything... Our boy hated his sister. He hated his mother. And he hated his father. He's been betrayed. We've failed him. What were we thinking?!...

But we still had the REAL test. After all, he must have been tired. And he was shocked by the whole experience, probably. And let's face it, Granny's house WAS fun. No, the real test was going to be our boy's reaction to seeing his baby sister at home.

The day came.

He climbed the stairs, each step making it harder for us to hide our anxiety. He was getting close. He was there.

And there she was, swaddled and asleep. Boring. What was going to happen? Was he going to run back downstairs to Granny? Was he going to ignore his sister, run to the TV, and scream "Wonder Pets"? Was he going to try to hit the intruder? Were we going to see his disappointment, his anger, his mistrust? Were we about to witness our own failure?

Or was it all going to be okay after all?

(Photos courtesy of Oren Miller)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: The Monday Consult
        

You'll want to read Jill Rosen's interesting story today on how parents, scared by the childhood obesity crisis and all the attention to it, are telling the Easter bunny to lay off the candy this year in favor of toys, art supplies and games.

I confess to thinking the same thing as I helped the E.B. stock up this week. Decided on a happy medium. Our kids are generally allowed one piece of candy or so a day anyway, and they still have Halloween candy left over. For them, it's more about counting, sorting and anticipating the candy than it is about eating.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 8:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Food and Recipes
        

Scarface for Kids (MySpace Exclusive)

TMZ | MySpace Video

Today, guest dad Joe Burris talks about the volatile mixture of kids, guns and drugs: I am a strong believer in freedom of expression, but as a father of two young daughters I believe in drawing the line between what should be deemed appropriate and inappropriate for children. In many ways our society has done an admirable job in drawing that line, but it’s amazing how often some folks come along to erase it.

I say that after watching a video that recently appreared on the social Web site, Myspace. It was a clip that showed child actors performing scenes from the popular gangster drama, “Scarface.”

The clip had me shaking my head as if I were at a tennis match.

For those not familiar with “Scarface,” it is a 1983 film about a Cuban immigrant (played by actor Al Pacino) who rises up from Miami ’s slums to become a drug kingpin. The movie is famous for violent gunplay, vile language and scenes where the lead character piles mounds of cocaine on a desktop then buries his nose in it.

In the children’s version, the characters are dressed to look like those in the film, but the F-bomb is replaced with the word, “fudge.” Toy guns that sound like the real thing are brandished.

And mounds of popcorn takes the place of cocaine.

I sent this clip to several of my friends and acquaintances, and I kept hearing the same refrain: “Where are the parents?”

I had to ask that too, but what about the adults who not only signed off on this but made it possible? Do you really need children's parents around to say that something is inappropriate? Why wouldn’t any grownup do?

Free expression aside, more adults need to step in and lower the curtain on such activity. The next thing you know, kids will be allowed to re-enact, “Last Tango In Paris."

Posted by Dave Rosenthal at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Father's Day Tuesday
        

The final day of our D.C. cherry blossom tour was spent at the National Zoo. Here are some quick do's and don'ts for a first-time visit:

Do:

--Bring a camera with a good zoom lens. Those giant pandas are adorable, but they can perch far away. We had given our kids disposable cameras, but fortunately I had my zoom to capture the image on the right.

--Take the Metro to the Cleveland Park station on your way to the zoo. Though the Woodley Park station has "zoo" in its name, several guidebooks and the zoo's own Web site caution that it's an uphill climb north on Connecticut Avenue from that station. It's an easy, level walk from Cleveland Park of about three or four blocks.

--Get a pulled pork sandwich at the barbecue stand near the "Mane Restaurant." It beats the standard offerings.

--Go early and leave enough time for a good long visit. We arrived around the zoo's opening time and left at about 2:30 -- and we really could have stayed longer.

Now for a few don'ts...

Don't:

--Miss the reptile house. The selection of turtles and tortoises was amazing, and delighted my reptile-loving son. They range from the tiny to the humongous. And then there was the anaconda, shedding its skin before our eyes...

--Tap on the glass when you visit the apes. They're shy, a helpful sign told us. In fact, they might interact better with you if you look at them over your shoulder.

--Forget to stop for play time. The "pizza playground" is a bit hidden in the kids' farm area, but you must find it, especially if your kids are preschoolers or toddlers. The highlight is a giant soft "pizza" the kids can jump and play on, with displays that connect the farm to the vegetables on the pizza. There's another fun play area behind the prairie dogs.

--Miss the discount at the gift shop for Maryland Zoo members. You can get 10 percent off your purchase if you show your membership card.

--Rush your exit. That climb uphill to the front entrance is a killer if you've already used up all your energy or have to hurry. Save some exhibits to visit on your way back up to pace yourself, or leave time to rest on the benches on the way.

(Photos by me)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Things to Do, Travel
        

Easter weekend has come, and with it there's supposed to be great weather. There are lots of ways to enjoy it around town, Easter-themed and not. Here's the short list:

Thursday, April 1:

Morning Melodies: Musical story time in the castle at the Towson branch of the Baltimore County Public Library. 10:30 a.m.

Fear -- Friend or Foe? The Maryland ZOOmobile brings animals at 10:30 a.m. at the Hereford branch of the Baltimore County Public Library; 2 p.m. at the Reisterstown branch.

Friday, April 2:

Easter Art & Craft Fair: This is a bit out of the way, but there's a big Easter craft fair at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with egg hunts, magic shows and more.

Bunny BonanZoo The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore celebrates Easter and spring with egg hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny, games and other fun Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday, April 3:

Natural egg dyeing: Learn to color your eggs the natural way at the Irvine Nature Center. 2 p.m.

Cromwell Valley Park Easter Egg Hunt: Search for eggs at Cromwell Valley Park at 10:30 a.m., with staggered times for different age groups. Details here.

Karma Dogs The dogs who love to be read to by children will be at the North Point branch of the Baltimore County Public Library at 1 p.m.

Sunday, April 4:

Bach Concert Series: A free Easter concert is offered at Christ Lutheran Church in Federal Hill. 4 p.m.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Things to Do