Source: Real Simple

I'm really behind on my Halloween preparations. I still have to pick up a costume for Jake, who will be trick-or-treating at his daycare as well as around our neighborhood. He hasn't warmed up to candy yet, but it won't be long before I'll have to limit his sugar consumption.

To avoid the hazards of sugar on our children's teeth, husband-and-wife dentists Drs. Kapil and Vidhima Davar of Bel Air Pediatric Dentistry have some tips for parents:

This Halloween, your firemen, ballerinas and superheroes will return with bags of candy eager to gnaw on their hard-won Snickers bars, Skittles and candy corn. The list of Halloween candy can be endless – as can the dangers sweets can cause to your children’s teeth.

When plaque, a thin film of bacteria on teeth and gums, mixes with sugar, an acid forms that attacks the teeth. Over time, the acid can break down tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. But parents can protect their children and enjoy Halloween safely.

Limit how much Halloween candy your children eat. Serve them a healthy meal before trick-or-treating, so they’re not hungry when they return. Store candy in a room other than your children’s bedroom, so it’s less tempting. Offer them healthier snacks like trail mix and raisins instead of sugary candy.

Serve Halloween candy during meals. Increased saliva production and other foods will help naturally wash away sugary candy particles and reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Offer your children sugarless gum after they enjoy their candy. Sugarless gum, approved by the American Dental Association, increases saliva production and helps wash away candy particles.

Practice good oral hygiene, including brushing twice daily and flossing once daily.

Visit your child’s pediatric dentist for regular checkups. Pediatric dentists have specialized training and experience caring specifically for children’s teeth.

Your children can enjoy the spoils of trick-or-treating without the dangers of tooth decay. You can help them enjoy Halloween candy in moderation while continuing good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups.

Posted by Hanah Cho at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Health, Holidays
        

Here's Liz Atwood with this week's Tween Tuesday

Halloween is less than three weeks away, but you wouldn’t know it at my house. Sadly, it seems, the kids really are growing up. The boys haven’t asked to put up decorations or visit a pumpkin farm or even go to the party store for costumes. The fifth grader seemed ready to take a pass on trick-or-treating altogether until he learned that his dentist was giving $1 for every pound of candy his patients turn in. Now the kid sees the chance to make money and vows to stay out until midnight collecting as much candy as he can. The older one, who is 15, gave up trick-or-treating a couple years ago, but a girl he likes is going and I’m sure she could persuade him to join her.

It all feels so strange. In the houses where the kids are still small, they have the pumpkins out and the decorations in the yard. I recall how much effort I used to put into the holiday. When my older son was small, I made his Halloween costumes. The first was a bunny outfit (think Christmas Story) and then a bear outfit. By the time he started pre-school he would have nothing to do with homemade costumes and so we started on to the action figures, vampires and ghouls. I used to spend a fortune on decorations.

Now our house looks plain. It looks like “old” people live there.

In the spring, we gave up the Easter egg hunt. Trick-or-treating is looking pretty iffy. These holidays really do feel different when the kids start to grow up.

UPDATE (11:06 a.m.) Click here for a guide of Halloween activities.
Or if you want to search by location, go here.

Posted by Hanah Cho at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holidays, Teens
        

(Photo courtesy of Port Discovery)

2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, and Port Discovery Children's Museum at Baltimore's Inner Harbor is celebrating Chinese New Year on Jan. 29. The Chinese New Year begins on Feb. 3.

Port Discovery's celebration will feature several activities, including Chinese folktales storytelling; a year of the rabbit petting zoo and the Tai Yim Chinese Lion Dance.

I am giving away a four-ticket family package, courtesy of the museum. So, if you'd like to take your family to a fun event, please leave a comment on your favorite New Year or holiday memory.

The contest will close Jan. 26. The winner will be picked randomly, and you will be able to pick up the tickets at the museum.

Posted by Hanah Cho at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Giveaways, Holidays
        

I stopped making new year resolutions several years ago. But this year, I am making one important one: To cook more meals at home, especially now that I am a mom.

My friends know that I can't cook. In fact, they won't let me forget that I once bought a peanut-butter-jelly sandwich from Panera.

Now that little J. is eating solid food, I resolve to make meals at home so that he could develop healthy eating habits. Plus, I'm sure I'll save a lot more money, cooking at home, instead of buying take out dinners.

If you have quick, easy-to-make meals that your kids like, please let me know. I need all the advice, suggestions and recipes as I can get.

Also, what is your new year resolution?

Happy 2011!

Posted by Hanah Cho at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Holidays
        

Please have a great and safe holidays!

I will be flying for the first time with a 12-month-old who is a little under the weather. I will write about that adventure when I return next week.

Posted by Hanah Cho at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holidays
        

Liz Atwood's post this week about Christmas shopping got me thinking about buying gifts for children.

Sticking to a budget when buying gifts for children is especially hard because you just want to get your kid everything.

How much will you spend on your children this holiday season? Take this poll:

Posted by Hanah Cho at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holidays
        

I am thankful for many things this year, especially for my sweet baby boy.

This is my first Thanksgiving with baby J., who despite having strep throat, an ear infection and a fever over the past few days has been an absolute trooper.

And also thank you to my readers, who have given me wonderful advice and added their voices to many debates on this blog.

Posted by Hanah Cho at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Holidays
        

The official start of the holiday shopping season is almost upon us. This year, I am buying gifts not only for my nephews and niece but also baby J, so finding the best deals is crucial.   

Amie of Economoms Baltimore has put together fabulous tips and resources to save money and time for the busy parent:

Conquer Black Friday

Yes, you will have to wake up (extra) early and yes, you will deal with (obnoxious) crowds. But to put it bluntly – suck it up! This is the number one way you’ll save money this holiday season.
The Friday after Thanksgiving offers the best bargains you’ll find all year with big box stores typically discounting at least 50%. And since the economy sank in 2008, Black Friday sales have become even more intense with some reaching 70% off or more. Keep your cool on Black Friday by doing the following:

• Do your homework. Track down ahead of time which stores are offering each gift you need at the best price. Take the traditional route by scanning through newspaper ads, or make life simpler using online resources, such as Black Friday Ads and Black Friday Info. Both categorize all sales available by store, making comparison shopping super easy.

• Make a game plan. Once you’ve determined where you’ll be buying, lay out an itinerary for the day, even if you’re staying within a 5-mile radius. It sounds silly, but a little organization can really go a long way. Plan to hit up the stores that sell the most in-demand gifts you need first. Reserve items that aren’t likely to sell out for later in the day.

• Bring a friend. A “divide and conquer” approach is the best way to save time. While you head to electronics, send your partner in crime to the toy aisle. Or if there’s a long line, have your pal jump in as soon as you get there. By the time you’ve collected your gifts, it’ll be time for checkout.

Continue reading "Black Friday/holiday shopping tips for parents" »

Posted by Hanah Cho at 9:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Holidays, Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

The Maryland State Highway Administration is lending reflective safety vests to parents or guardians for their children to use on Halloween.

The vests will be available for free at most counties. You could pick up a vest today and Friday at SHA maintenance facilities from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on a first-come first-served basis. The vests must be returned by Nov. 5.

Besides putting the reflective vests over children's costumes, SHA suggests you also could create a new costume: Combine the vest with a hard hat, a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and boots. Good idea.

Click to the next page for a list of participating SHA facilities.

Continue reading "Halloween safety: Free loaner reflective vests" »

Posted by Hanah Cho at 9:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Child Safety, Holidays
        

(Photo courtesy of UNICEF)

Liz Atwood talks about celebrating Halloween and doing good in this week's Tween Tuesday:

Can you believe it's just days before Halloween and my tween has yet to decide on a Halloween costume? I've thrown out suggestions both funny and scary, but he is just not that into it.

But while the Halloween spirit might be lacking in my house, I thought I should mention that it isn't for others. This is the 60th anniversary of Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF. I remember carrying those little orange boxes door to door when I was a kid and the organization that aids children all around the world is still at it. Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF has raised $160 million throughout the years and raises about $4 million each year, according to the organization.

The boxes are still available for kids to use to collect money as they go door to door, but this year there is also a new application for the iPhone and iPod to help raise money.

I wonder if I could entice my son to go this weekend as a good-deed-doer? Probably not.
 

Posted by Hanah Cho at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holidays, Teens
        

(The Baltimore Sun)

I was never big on Halloween, even as a kid. But now that I have a child, I'm so excited about celebrating the day with baby J. and E.

I found some fun and reasonably-priced options at several mass retailers. But I'm betting there are some crafty parents out there who have put together costumes for less than $15.

So here's an idea. Let's have a children's costume contest.

If you have an unique idea for a do-it-yourself children's costume, send them here.

The rules are simple: The costume has to be made for less than $15. The cheaper the better, of course. Creativity is also a plus. Send a picture to hcho@baltsun.com and I will post photos in a future post.

My colleagues and I will pick the top three ideas, and we'll have readers pick a winner. Submit your ideas by commenting. Deadline is Oct. 29.

This could be really fun or be a disaster. Let see how this goes ...

In the meantime, Consuming Interests has some cheap costume ideas. Also check out baltimoresun.com's Halloween guide.

Posted by Hanah Cho at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Holidays
        

Happy a safe and fun July 4!!

I will be in Paris next week, so I will not be blogging as often.

I will be back July 12.

Posted by Hanah Cho at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holidays
        

Erin Jeany has sent us a letter to her son, Elijah, just under the Mother's Day Letters Project wire. You can also find it on her blog, One Big 'Pyle' Of Love.

Here's Erin:

Continue reading "Mother's Day letters -- from Erin" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 5:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Happy Mother's Day! To continue our Mother's Day Letters Project, I want to introduce you to a lively group of ladies known as the Pimlico Elementary School Grandparents' Club.

I met many of them nine years ago, when I was working on a story about them for The Sun. (You can read it here to get a better idea of how much they've meant over the years to that school.)

I was pregnant when I was reporting the story. Very pregnant. The ladies fussed over me, and maybe that's why they still remember me.

It occurred to me that these women, who have raised children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren through many challenges, would have some priceless Tweets of advice for all mothers and children.

They didn't disappoint. Watch this space throughout the day: I'll be updating this post, along with the @charmcitymoms Twitter account, with their advice. Here's the first Tweet:

Continue reading "Mother's Day advice -- from grandmas and great-grandmas" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The latest contribution to the Mother's Day Letters Project comes from Heather J. (See it also as a post on her blog, Age 30+...A Lifetime of Books, which is also featured on our Mobbies page (for Maryland's Outstanding Blogs).

On Mother's Day, I'll share my own letter to my kids. And there will be a special treat -- all day on Mother's Day, @charmcitymoms will feature Tweets of advice from a club of grandmothers and great-grandmothers associated with Pimlico Elementary School. The Tweets will also be collected here.

Meanwhile, here's Heather...

Continue reading "Mother's Day letters -- Heather J." »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holidays, Mother's Day letters
        

Here's the family fun list for this busy Mother's Day weekend. There should be something for everyone. For more Mother's Day and other events, check out our FindLocal database.

Thursday, May 6:

BSA Spring Dance Performance runs through Sunday at the Baltimore School for the Arts.

Friday, May 7:

FlowerMart has a lemon stick and more for everyone at Mount Vernon Square through Saturday.

Star Parties: Watch the sky from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Dundalk campus of the Community College of Baltimore County.

Continue reading "Mother's Day activities" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

It's Star Wars Day again! And guess what -- my kids still haven't watched the movie.

That's more from our own inertia than anything. I think your comments last year convinced me it was more than OK.

Anyway, let's not keep that from discussing these great family movies.

Who's your favorite Star Wars character? (I'm keeping this to the first film, but feel free to write in candidates from sequels and prequels in the comments.)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Holidays
        

Jill Berry of Musings from Me has posted her contribution to the Mother's Day Letters Project.

I'm printing it below for us to learn from, too.

I'd love to have letters, blog posts, or Tweets from every Maryland mom I can. E-mail them to me here or post in the comments section. Or post on your blog with a link back to the original project post.

Here's Jill:

Continue reading "Mother's Day letters to a teen, a preteen, and a kid" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Holidays, Mother's Day letters
        

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...

Continue reading "The Mother's Day letters project" »

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

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
        

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...

Continue reading "No Easter bunny for tweens?" »

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

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 muses on the possible end of Valentine's Day for her tweens this Tween Tuesday:

If you're the parent of a tween, beware. Valentine's Day might come early this year--or not at all.

My third-grader is supposed to have a Valentine party in school this Friday (provided schools are back in session by then). I only know this because I got an e-mail from the teacher asking what I would like to contribute to the party. I think if I had not received the e-mail, I would have never known about it. Valentine's Day for tween boys is no big deal, it seems.

Concerned that my son would be frantically addressing his cards Thursday night, I dragged him to the store Monday to pick out cards for his classmates. He spent barely 15 seconds glancing at the display before he picked up a tattered box of 3-D Transformer cards and declared they were less stupid than the others.

The cards are still on the kitchen table where he left them and I guess I'll be nagging him on Thursday night to address them and sign them. At least the third-grader is having a party. My 13-year-old looked like I had lost my mind when I asked if he intended to hand out any Valentine cards.

I remember when I was in school the fun of getting Valentine's cards, especially the cool ones with candy or puzzles. My friends and I worried over just which cards to give the cool guys and which to give the nerdy boys and which were appropriate for just friends.

Do boys care at all? Perhaps one day a special someone will reawaken my boys' interest in Valentine's Day. But for now, it seems the fun has passed and it has become one more chore on the to-do list.

Is your tween celebrating Valentine's Day this year?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holidays