Charm City Moms

Malia Obama's very public science test

2009-11-06T18:43:47Z

The other day, in a speech about his administration's education priorities, President Barack Obama revealed a very personal experience. His daughter, Malia, had come home with a disappointing grade of 73 percent on a science test. According to the president, the two had a conversation about what she could do better, and the moral of the story is that hard work pays off. Malia reportedly scored 95 percent on the next test. I was driving to work when I heard this story on the radio, and I have to admit it sort of stopped me in my tracks. With all the talk about privacy for presidential kids, this struck me as a potentially very sensitive matter for Malia. What child wants the world to know she got a bad grade? On the other hand, the story was inspirational. A lot of parents will probably cite it during nightly homework struggles with their own kids. According to this piece on Politics Daily, the president departed from his planned text to tell Malia's story. He may very well have asked her permission, to be sure. But as parents, what do you think about the president sharing his daughter's grades? (Associated Press photo)

The "Waddle" winner

2009-11-06T16:07:36Z

Christina wins the "Waddle" book for her question about parent volunteering. Congratulations! And look for an answer to the question soon on Mondays.

Potty training for dads

2009-11-06T11:27:32Z

Guest Dad Joe Burris writes today about how for a family guy, the toilet inevitably becomes "the potty": A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I were visiting a department store when she decided to try on a garment. “Okay,” I said, while walking out of the store, “I got to go to the potty.” I stood momentarily red faced, wondering if any of the other customers in the store had heard me. Potty -- now there’s a word you rarely hear from anyone who doesn’t have kids. I scarcely uttered it before we had any. Now, in nearly 13 years of parenting, it has become one of the most used in my vocabulary. I have had some of the most memorable experiences taking my kids to the potty. I’ve learned that there are many filling stations just off Interstate 95 in North Carolina that have some of the most disgusting looking bathrooms I’ve ever seen. But when your kid’s got to go, you’ve got to stop. I still recall the first time I took my older daughter Nyaniso (now 12) to a crowded men’s room. And I remember taking my younger Onalenna (now 3) to an empty ladies’ room; the receptionist at the pediatrician’s office gave me the ladies’ key, and it was too late to return for the other. A while back, Onalenna struggled with me closing myself off from her and the rest of the world when I went to the bathroom. “Daddy, what are you doing in there?” “I’m going potty, Sweetie.” “Can I come in with you?” “Er, are you sure about that?” Unbeknownst to me, Onalenna often observed my bathroom traits. And now when she goes, she takes reading materials with her. Most are books that we’ve read to her at nighttime; she’s heard them so often that she now recites them. Sometimes she takes magazines or other periodicals. The thing is, the bathroom has become, for her, best reading room outside of the local library. She’ll go in and sit and sit and sit and sit and sit. At times, you would think she’s thumbing through the Christmas edition of “War and Peace.” “Sweetie, what are you doing in there?” “I’m reading on the potty.” Before we had kids, I worried about potty training, having heard of trying accounts from friends. As it turns out, both of our children transitioned well from diapers. Yet both have had their share of difficult moments during potty time, and it is amazing how much they recall. Last year, while we were seated in a doctor’s office, Onalenna walked over to a baby crying frantically nearby. “Aww, poor baby,” she said. “Are you constipated?”

Is Cookie Monster healthful enough?

2009-11-05T14:26:27Z

Today it's Cookie Monster who's getting all the attention on the Google Doodle as part of the big Sesame Street 40th anniversary celebration. This had me wondering: With all the focus on the problem of childhood obesity these days, and with Michelle Obama -- a champion of healthful eating -- slated to appear on Sesame Street this season, where does Cookie Monster fit in? Turns out Sesame Street has been trying to make the gluttonous blue monster more modest in his appetites for some time. This 2005 article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer shows what Sesame Street was doing a few years ago to get Cookie Monster in line with the food pyramid. He has more recently been part of a public service announcement about healthy living, as the ladies on the View discussed: As you can see in the photo above, Cookie Monster is now helping promote eggs with the American Egg Board. Does making Cookie Monster an advocate of healthful eating spoil the fun? (PRNewsFoto/American Egg Board)

Fun with the family this weekend

2009-11-05T11:23:33Z

We're all in something of a Halloween hangover, but there's still fun stuff to do this first weekend in November. To wit: Pumpkin chucking. Thursday, Nov. 5: Harry Potter Potions Class: Scientists from the Edgewood Chemical & Biological Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground demonstrated how to make potions "straight out of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Edgewood branch of the Harford County Public Library. For grades 3-8. Register by calling 410-612-1600. Nature Storytime:Listen to a story about nature and make a craft at 11 a.m. at the Eden Mill Nature Center. Donation requested to cover the cost of the craft. Families are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to eat following the event. Registration required; call 410-836-3050. Friday, Nov. 6 Whooo done it? Solve a mystery while looking for clues around the nature center and trails from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Irvine Nature Center. For ages 5 and up. $6 members, $10 nonmembers. Fun with Pumpkins and Gourds: Learn about pumpkins with a master gardener, then make a craft at 2 p.m. at the Savage branch of the Howard County Library. Ages 5 and up. Reservation required; call 410-880-5978. "A Christmas Carol" opens at IMAX:The IMAX theater at the Maryland Science Center starts showing the Disney version of the Christmas classic starring Jim Carrey. Tickets required. New LEGO store opens: Kids can help build a giant Christmas tree with master builders to celebrate the opening of a new LEGO store at the Arundel Mills Mall. Building will continue until the tree is finished. Kids get a certificate for helping. Free. Greek Heritage Festival: Go Greek for three days at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 24 W. Preston St. Festivities include live music and Greek dancing, folk dance performances, a European marketplace, children's activities and cathedral tours. There will also be plenty of Greek fare and a martini bar. The event is free and takes place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Call 410-727-1831. ]]> Saturday, Nov. 7: Drop-in Art at the Walters: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Walters Art Museum, children can explore heroes and heroines found in the artwork of Japan, China and India by building their own armor, painting a scroll, and creating hybrid creatures that perform incredible tasks. Free. Pumpkin Chucking Weekend:Sick of that pumpkin now that Halloween is over? Dispose of it in style -- via catapult -- Saturday and Sunday at Clark's Elioak Farm. Sunday, Nov. 8: A Month with Matisse: Model Magic The Baltimore Museum of Art's Free Family Sunday is all about using clay to sculpt like Matisse. 2- 4 p.m. Second Sundays in Leakin Park - Last Sunday for the Leakin Park trains until spring! From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Leakin Park, 4921 Windsor Mill Road, 410-396-0440. (Baltimore Sun file photo of pumpkin chucking at Clark's Elioak Farm)

Sesame Street's 40th anniversary

2009-11-04T14:26:36Z

Sesame Street is gearing up for its 40th anniversary season in a big way. Not only is Big Bird featured on the Google Doodle today, but the show is saying it will be "updated" for the anniversary season, which starts Nov. 10. The new season will reportedly feature lots of celebrities, including First Lady Michelle Obama. It's funny -- as much as kids love Sesame Street, I think they also reject it pretty quickly as they reach the age of, say, 5. Mine aren't even willing to be nostalgic about it. In fact, to tease them every once in a while, I talk in Elmo's voice and ask them to pleeeeeze come back. They have a great time running away from "Elmo" and up to their Pokemon cards and R.L. Stine books. (Associated Press photo)

Dinner Together: Mini lasagna dinner

2009-11-04T11:26:42Z

I love the idea in this video, which features chefs Cricket Azima and Dave Lieberman with several young helpers, of making customizable mini-lasagnas. They look so easy. The video's a little longer than usual, but the kids can learn how to make a complete meal -- including easy breadsticks, salad, and dessert.

Understanding autistic friends

2009-11-03T11:00:00Z

Liz Atwood talks about friends with disabilities this Tween Tuesday:

One of the things that's really neat about my 8-year-old son's circle of friends is the diversity I see; not just racial or ethnic diversity, but children with many different disabilities.

On Saturday, we went trick-or-treating with one of his friends who is diabetic, and I watched in amazement as the child nonchalantly checked his blood sugar level between knocking on doors and gobbling up candy.

In my son’s scout troop, there is a boy in a wheelchair, and another boy with one leg shorter than the other. My son loves playing with them all and is not fazed in the least by their disabilities.

But one disability that is not so obvious is autism. I know of one boy in his class and another in scouts who are autistic. Both are smart and do fairly well in the groups as far as I can tell. But occasionally their behavior bothers my son, who doesn’t know there is a medical reason behind their actions. I have told him that he needs to be tolerant and that everyone has behavior quirks, but I wonder if I’m not doing a disservice to him and his friends by failing to acknowledge the disability that cannot be seen.

I asked Carolyn Martin, admissions director at Hanah Moore School in Reisterstown, whether children should be told when another child in their group has autism. "I think it's important that classmates understand others' disabilities," she said. But she added that I shouldn't tell my son about his friends' autism unless their parents give their OK.

There are lots of questions about this subject.

Hanah Moore is going to offer a free community program Monday, Nov. 9, called “Hooked on Lemon Drops” to explain some of the implications of autism. Nancy Schmitt, the curriculum coordinator at the school, will lead the discussion, which will explore the pitfalls and pathways of interacting with children on the autistic spectrum. Her presentation identifies the differences between autism and Asperger Syndrome, provides tips and tactics for interacting with children on the spectrum, and more.

The program will be offered from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hannah More School, 12039 Reisterstown Road, Reisterstown. Call 410-526-5000 to RSVP or for more details.

The latest Monday Consult giveaway

2009-11-02T17:32:30Z

It's time to give away a prize for questions for the Monday Consult. This week, you can win a copy of "Waddle," one of those cool "scanimation" books, by Rufus Butler Seder. The rules are as usual: Ask a parenting question that an expert can answer for a future Monday Consult. Make sure to leave your e-mail address in the appropriate space of the comment form so that I can get in touch if you're the lucky winner.

A teenager's bad example

2009-11-02T11:11:52Z

Sara wrote: How to deal with ornery teenager while younger kids are home too? He curses, does not listen, and is not fun to be with. I see my younger kids 10, 8, 5 and 2 copying his behavior and words, help! I asked Bonnie Compton, a parenting coach who has advised us on when a child is old enough for a cell phone, to tackle this one. Here's her answer:]]> "Living through the teenage years can be tough, especially if your teenager is disrespectful or out of control. It can be even tougher if you have younger children living in the house. Little ones often pick up on an older sibling’s behavior and try to mimic it, especially if they get attention by doing so. First, it’s important to examine your teenager’s disrespectful behavior and try to determine if there could be any underlying cause for it. Certainly the teen years are not easy and can be filled with angst, but sometimes a teen exhibits oppositional behavior. Oppositional or aggressive behavior may indicate and underlying issue such as ADHD, a learning disability, or other possible emotional disorders. If you suspect anything of this nature, it would be important to consult with a professional. A teenager’s role is to become an individual and separate from their family. This enables them to mature and live their own life as an adult. Some teenagers accomplish this a bit more easily than others. Some resist any control that they feel their parents might have over them, and are ready to fight their parents every step of the way. To help your teen develop into a responsible young adult, it is important to: -- Provide clear and consistent expectations -- Allow them to have some control in their lives (a teenager who feels controlled by their parents will often rebel) -- Send a clear message that no verbal or physical abuse will be tolerated -- Reward appropriate behavior -- Use logical consequences for inappropriate behavior -- Model appropriate behavior for your teen -- Respect is a two-way street…do not expect your teen to respect you if you are not being respectful of them It is also important to send a message to your younger children that your teen’s and children’s behavior is inappropriate and will not be tolerated. However, your focus at this point should be on helping your teen change their behavior. There is an excellent program that you can purchase online, The Total Transformation Program, by James Lehman. Other parents have used this program and found it very helpful in turning their teen’s behavior around."

Halloween candy buyback

2009-10-30T14:52:04Z

If you're looking for what to do with all that Halloween candy -- and you're worried your kids will eat too much if it stays around the house -- you might want to stop by a dentist's office in the next few days. Several local dentists are buying candy from kids to save their teeth, and sending the goodies to soldiers overseas. Maryland Family Magazine has the details on this buyback in Ellicott City. This Timonium dentist has said he'll take part. And in Clarksville, Parmar Family & Cosmetic Dentistry tells me their office will collect candy for the troops between noon and 4 p.m. on Sunday, the day after Halloween. (Associated Press photo)

Traveling while young

2009-10-30T10:23:42Z

Guest Dad Joe Burris tells us about his daughters' unusual opportunities for traveling abroad -- and how it shapes their view of the world: When I was a youngster, I marveled at taking a trip to the Canada side of Niagara Falls. The wonder of being in another country and the opportunity to see different things fascinated me, even if it was just across the border. Yet my Canada trip pales in comparison with my daughters’ travels thus far. As I write this, Nyaniso (12) and Onalenna (3) are with their mother in Istanbul, Turkey. My wife is a priest of South African descent whose work takes her around the world. Anytime she heads to a land we know we’re not likely to visit anytime soon, we try to make it possible for our daughters to go. Two years ago, they traveled with her to Singapore, last year they went to Shropshire, England. Most of the trips occur during the summer, but the Turkey trip is one of few that have happened during the school year. Each time, we sit down with Nyaniso’s teachers and principal to make sure she keeps pace with the class lessons. This time, she’s turned the trek into a school project, complete with a video she’s shooting. Both of my daughters have been to their mother’s homeland much of their lives, and Nyaniso lived there at age 5. Onalenna won’t remember much about her travels at this age, but we plan to continue both of their visits to foreign lands. It’s interesting to hear about such places from a child’s perspective; they couldn’t wait to tell me about the exotic flavors of ice cream offered in Singapore. Unlike their father -- and many Americans -- their initial perceptions about these faraway places haven’t come from news reports or Hollywood films. I’m anxious to see how their first-hand experiences shape the way they see the world as adults. Already for Nyaniso, it’s made for some interesting conversations among kids her age. A few years ago, she commented to friends how she couldn’t wait to go back to South Africa. They questioned why she would want to set foot in Africa, saying it’s nothing but a mangy jungle full of crime and people dying from starvation. “No it’s not,” she replied. “Yes it is,” they said. She then drew silent stares when she asked, “How do you know?”

Toddler Thursday: Flight report

2009-10-29T20:57:50Z

This is Sarah K.K., back with Toddler Thursday after a short hiatus for that vacation I mentioned a few weeks ago.

I was concerned about flying cross-country with my son, who had learned to walk since our last cross-country flight. I was also a little worried because he got sick during our trip to California in the spring, but I wasn't overly concerned since I figured that was a fluke puke.

Well ... maybe not so much. We got on the plane, an early morning departure with a change of planes in Chicago, and I had my Bag of Tricks at the ready, filled with many of your suggestions, plus a few of my own ideas.

]]> The first leg, things went pretty well. The flight was far from full, so we were able to bring the car seat on the plane, and Isaac conked out and slept the whole way (see photo above). We're doing great, we thought! Second leg, the long one, things were a little rockier. There was still room for the car seat, but Isaac was cranky and didn't seem to know what he wanted.

I busted out almost everything from the bag of tricks. Toddler-friendly Tonka truck! Yogurt melts! Crunchies! New book with flaps! Other new interactive book! Mini-MagnaDoodle! He was just not happy and kept crying. The only thing he ever wanted was bottle of milk, and even after a few sips, he'd be unhappy again. It finally became clear that he wasn't just unhappy, but that his stomach was hurting. We figured this out when he barfed all over us -- spectacularly and several times in quick succession. Sigh.

I felt so terrible -- for him because he'd clearly been not feeling well for quite a while and for those around us because it was gross, and probably quite alarming in our H1N1-fearing state of alert. I felt like standing up and making a statement: "Sorry about this, and by the way, he doesn't have swine flu." We got similar treatment as our last sickly flight and cleaned ourselves and him up as quickly and as best as we could. After that, he was in a fine mood, hanging out in the seat, reading books, chatting us up.

On the way back, we were worried but prepared. The Bag of Tricks was repacked. There were clean outfits for everyone in one of the carryons. I even had Lysol wipes in a zipper bag. But this time, he slept almost the whole way back. We spent more than six hours in the air, and he snoozed for easily close to three quarters of it, after a short stint of throwing things at the beginning of the second flight. The Bag of Tricks went mostly unused, but it was reassuring to be ready.

Things that did work: My husband took him on a walk up and down the aisle after takeoff on the second leg, which apparently tired him out. Yogurt melts were great for food and a distraction when we first took off. The toy truck got the most interest of the new things I'd packed, even after he'd played with it awhile during the vacation. And, as happened during the last pukey flight, his big muslin blankets were super absorbent and helped us contain and clean up the mess. (Gross but true.)

Halloween weekend fun!

2009-10-29T10:21:49Z

Halloween is here, and it's on a Saturday, which means there's a whole weekend to celebrate. Plus a ramp-up on Thursday and Friday. Thursday, Oct. 29: Owls, Bats and Spiders: Kids 6 to 12 can hear about "scary" animals through poems, stories, and a craft at 3:30 p.m. at the Orleans Street Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Spooky Craft: Make something for Halloween at 4 p.m. at the Govans branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. for ages 3-12. Free. Friday, Oct. 30: Free admission to the Science Center: Get in free to the Maryland Science Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. as part of Free Fall Baltimore. Halloween Creature Feature:See spooky animals and hear scary stories around a fire from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Avalon Area Shelter 106 of Patapsco Valley State Park. Hot cider included. $6. Register by calling 410-461-5005.]]> Saturday, Oct. 31: B&O Halloween Bash - The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum will hold a costume party with Halloween games, crafts, music, and refreshments from noon to 2 p.m for kids 2-12. $5 with paid admission. "Coraline": See this movie about a girl who stumbles upon a parallel family in her own house at 2 p.m. in the Wheeler auditorium at the Central branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Free. Fells Point Halloween Children's Event: Crafts, music, storytelling and a costume contest will be offered under the tent at 1700 Thames Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community trick-or-treating takes place at 12:30 p.m. Halloween Howl - Port Discovery Children's Museum hosts a "not-so-scary" Halloween party with cupcake decorating, a skeleton craft, and music by the kids' band Milkshake. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Come in costume. Free with museum admission. Halloween Boo Bash at Arundel Mills: Arundel Mills Mall hosts a food drive, safety fair, costume contest and trick or treating. The safety fair runs from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by the contest. Trick-or-treating from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. while supplies last. Free with a nonperishable food donation for the Maryland Food Bank. Sunday, Nov. 1 Day of the Dead celebration: The Walters Art Museum celebrates El Dia de los Muertos, the traditional Mexican holiday to honor the dead, with a festival from noon to 3 p.m. There will be refreshments, crafts, and traditional Mexican dance and music. Free. Fall’n Leaves Explore the falling leaves and colors of the season from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Irvine Nature Center. For all ages. $3 members, $5 non-members.

The last-minute Halloween costume change

2009-10-28T16:08:09Z

A Facebook friend's status this morning got me thinking about the great last-minute Halloween costume changeup that seems to occur every year in our family. Apparently it's an exciting adventure for lots of parents out there. It goes like this: In late September or early October, Mom (or Dad) pulls it together and realizes it's time to get the Halloween costume(s). Kids accompany parent to the store, if parent is not the crafty type, and make their choice. Or, in the more dramatic version of the story, child announces he/she wants to be something incredibly original, the costume for which does not actually exist in a pre-made costume, and must be put together by ordering parts from various obscure Internet sites. Parent jumps through assorted hoops and obtains desired costume. The week before Halloween, child wears it to a trick-or-treating event at a museum, and perhaps to a Halloween party. By the time Halloween actually arrives, the child is thoroughly bored with her costume. She wants to be something else. What do you do? This has happened with us enough times that my kids now know this rule well: We buy a maximum of ONE costume for each child. If you want to change, you will create your new costume yourself, from available materials at home. And Mom will not be doing any last-minute sewing. Associated Press photo