Today's tip sheet comes via momlogic, which had a good post on the heat that the octuplet mom, Nadya Suleman, is getting about a 911 call she made when she thought her son was missing a while back. (Apparently she was so hysterical on the phone that it was hard for the dispatcher to help her. But the good news is that the boy was found safe with a nanny.)

Momlogic got tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about how you should (try) to act if you truly think your child is missing. Among the tips: Give the dispatcher your child's height, weight, and what he was wearing. Take time to listen to the dispatcher's questions, and answer them carefully so you can be understood.

(AP photo)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

For today's Tip Sheet Thursday, I'm seeking tips instead of providing them directly, since several readers recently wrote in with similar child-care questions. Please chime in if you can help:

--One mom writes that she's moving to north Baltimore soon, and is looking for a good local preschool for her daughter, who will be 3 this summer. She's looking for just a couple of mornings a week, at first.

--Donna is looking for day camp options during spring break, which for her kids is March 16-20. I know at least some public schools in the area are on break the first full week of April, and there are parents looking for day camp options then, too.

--Dorothy Jenkins writes that she is looking for summer camp options for her 10-year-old. (Even though she wrote she was looking for an "expensive" day camp, I'm betting she meant "inexpensive.")

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Today's tip comes from our neighbor Tech Savvy Mama, a D.C.-area blogger who writes about technology resource for kids. She's compiled a list of educational Web sites for elementary schoolers that could come in handy over the coming long weekend. Check out her other posts for leads on sites for other ages.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: On the Web, Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

My kids have been very into the "I Spy" books lately, so I was very happy to stumble upon today's tip, which comes from Rookie Moms. They've written a primer on how to make your own "I Spy" book by collecting household items and photographing them. You can then actually order a book of your photographs through the wonderful Internet, or just print out the pictures. As the moms point out, you could also dump out your purse/diaper bag and photograph that.

Hmm, then again -- maybe not.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

I'm passing along a good Valentine's solution for today's Tip Sheet, from Travel Savvy Mom via the always-helpful Parent Hacks.

Instead of having your child hand-make and/or sign a valentine for each of the 20-odd kids in his class, he can make one big, beautiful valentine -- and you can take a picture of him holding it. Make 20-odd prints, and the work is done.

(AP photo)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

For today's Tip Sheet, we turn to the very helpful March issue of ShopSmart magazine. They've looked into when you can accept used baby items, and when you shouldn't. In this tough economy, that's helpful information.

Here are the tips, straight from the magazine's press release:

Bath products:

Safe: Used baby bathtubs are fine as long as the lining isn’t full of mold or mildew.

Not safe: If the tub has an odor of either of these, say no thanks because they can be hard to remove. Also, skip secondhand bath seats, bath rings, and inflatable tubs since they have been responsible for many deaths among babies.

Car seats:

Safe: A car seat that has all its original parts and labels, has never been in a crash, and fits your car and child is OK.

Not safe: Products more than six years old are outdated, and most likely too run down to be considered safe.

Cribs:

Safe: Any crib that was manufactured after the year 2000 should be fine, as long as it is not broken or missing any pieces. (Or, I would add, recalled. You can check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall site here.)

Not safe: Prior to 2000, cribs were held to different safety standards, and will not be acceptable for your baby, even if you slept soundly in them. Any crib with cutouts in the headboard, and corner posts over 16 inches pose serious risks for a child’s safety.

High chairs:

Safe: Say yes to a hand-me-down high chair if it has a five-point harness to prevent your child from climbing out and a fixed crotch post that prevents him/her from sliding out the bottom.

Not safe: Old-fashioned wooden high chairs with removable trays or arms are considered dangerous and uncomfortable for the baby, in addition to not being up to newer product safety standards.

Strollers:

Safe: Strollers made after 2007 when new safety standards were published are safe.

Not safe: Any stroller made prior to that date, or that has missing, loose, or broken pieces.

Toys:

Safe: Stuffed animals and most children’s books make fine hand-me-downs. In the case of lead contamination in used toys, there are many home lead inspection kits which can be purchased for under $20 which will tell you whether the toys are safe.

Not safe: Avoid any toys that are chipped, as well as any small parts that can fit through a tube of toilet paper, since they present serious choking hazards for small children.

Used clothing:

Safe: As long as buttons and snaps are on tight and none of the thread is unraveling from the fabric, the used clothing is fine.

Not safe: Pass on any article of clothing with drawstrings because they pose a strangulation hazard.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

I don't know about your kids, but mine never met a crust they liked. Not only do they leave the crusts behind on their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but they won't even eat the crust at the edge of a piece of pizza.

Of course, the crust is said to be the healthiest part of a piece of bread. And in these times, who wants to waste all that crust?

Fortunately, I found a few tips for using up crusts at helium.com, which advises keeping a bag for your crusts in the freezer. Here are a few ways the site recommends using them:

--Make sweet or savory croutons.

--Use instead of French bread to top French onion soup.

--Make stuffing. (I'm not sure about the Pineapple Stuffing the site describes, but you could use crusts to make any kind of stuffing or strata. And because the bread would soak up liquid, your kids might not even notice it was once the dreaded crust.)

--Use in meatballs or meatloaf.

And if you want to make a cute crustless sandwich without resorting to Uncrustables, our friend Annelies of Lunch Nugget shows how to do it here.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Here's a tip on a unique preschool class. Kennedy Krieger Institute is looking for 3- to 4-year-olds who are developing typically to take part in an integrated class with children who have autism spectrum disorders.

There will be 8 children in the class, says the institute (5 children with autism and 3 typically developing peers) and the class will be run by a master's level special educator and two teacher's assistants. The class will meet from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday at 3901 Greenspring Ave. The class starts Monday (and ends July 31), but I'm told there's still time for families to volunteer to participate.

I'm told there will be a "minimal cost"; if you're interested, call Marguerite Adams at 443-923-7585.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

 Yesterday, Sasha and Malia Obama started their new school. Seven-year-old Sasha enrolled in second grade at Sidwell Friends school in Bethesda and 10-year-old Malia joined the fifth grade class at Sidwell’s middle school campus in the District of Columbia. And while they are the daughters of the man who will soon be president, the sisters are still kids who must face the task of fitting in and making new friends.

Coincidentally, American Girl has just introduced Chrissa, its "Girl of the Year" for 2009, who is described as “a friendly, creative girl who finds the courage to stand up for herself...” According to her story, her family moves to a new town and Chrissa wants to make a new friend, but she encounters “a mean group of girls that make it hard for her to fit in.”

In real life, children aren’t always courageous and the endings aren’t always happy. As a parent, it’s often hard to watch on the sidelines as our tweens negotiate the shoals of friendship. The peer pressure they face can be intense, but even the president of the United States won’t be able to “fix” all the friend problems his girls will probably encounter in the years ahead.

In the case of my boys, I have reluctantly intervened when I thought spats with friends might lead to blows, but I know the emotional damage can be just as hurtful as physical damage when kids turn against each other.

Do you have any guidelines for how and when to intervene when your kids have friend troubles? How do you walk the line between being supportive and helpful and yet letting the kids work things out themselves?

(Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Elizabeth Malby)

Posted by Liz Atwood at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

One of our New Year's resolutions is to be more frugal (oh, yours too?). For those whose kids aren't allergic, peanut butter fits right into that plan. Dollar Savvy magazine has a slew of tips for using peanut butter to vary your cooking -- and you can hold the jelly. Here they are:

"For a yummy glaze on ham steaks, combine 3 tablespoons orange marmalade, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, and 1 tablespoon water. Broil the ham steaks and when they are nearly done, add the glaze to one side and broil until the glaze is lightly browned, about 1 minute.

"To make an Asian-style dipping sauce for beef, shrimp, or chicken, whisk together 3 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon apple-cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon peanut oil or vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Blend until smooth.

"For a simple, fun appetizer, spread peanut butter into the grooves of celery sticks. Then for sweetness, place a few raisins on top and drizzle with honey.

"To breathe new life into chocolate chip cookies, replace half of the butter with peanut butter in your favorite recipe.

"To make a novel wrap out of grilled shrimp, combine peanut butter, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and parsley until smooth. Grill some shrimp and serve in a tortilla wrap with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, chopped onions, chopped cucumbers, and the peanut sauce.

"To give creamy potato soups or vegetable soups an Afro-Caribbean flavor, stir in a few tablespoons of peanut butter.

"For a mid-afternoon snack, spread 1 slice of raisin bread with 3 tablespoons peanut butter, then top with 2 tablespoons raisins and 1 tablespoon honey. Add a dash of ground cinnamon if you like. Top with another slice of raisin bread. Cook the sandwich in a buttered griddle until browned on both sides.

"For banana muffins with a twist, replace half of the butter or shortening in the recipe with peanut butter. Top the muffin batter with a sprinkling of shredded coconut before baking.

Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Algerina Perna

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

As a Christmas present to myself, I am not coming up with tips on this special Thursday. Instead, I throw the floor open to you. 

After the presents have been opened and played with for a while, after the dinner has been cooked and consumed, what are your tips on preserving the spirit of the day?

I overheard a mom at school the other day saying her family has planned a series of musical performances for each other. Sounds wonderful.

(Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Christopher Assaf)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Are you cutting down on cable to save money? You might be able to catch up with your favorite shows and movies online for less.

Arts+Labs, a collaboration between technology companies and the creative community, has a good list here of web sites that have free and low-cost shows for both adults and kids, including fancast.com, hulu.com, and more. 

Do any of you use these sites for family entertainment in lieu of TV? If so, what are the pros and cons? Are the kids as comfy in front of an online show as they are watching TV?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Television, Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Today's Tip Sheet is a link to a holiday guide from a group that knows its stuff when it comes to toys. The Parents' Choice Foundation, a national nonprofit group based in Timonium, has been evaluating toys for more than 30 years. You can find its picks for 2008 here. The guide has a pretty neat search tool, too -- you can call up toys based on interests (for the budding poet, a kid who loves animals, a science buff), age, and your budget.

One toy Parents' Choice has approved through the years: versions of the Ugly Doll at left.   

By the way, I was looking back at a story I did on Parents' Choice several years ago and found some tips the founder, Diana Huss Green, laid out in 1983. I thought you might find them interesting...

Continue reading "A holiday gift guide -- Tip Sheet Thursday" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Eve Eifler, co-director of Tips on Trips and Camps, a free advisory service with a web site (and a Baltimore arm) that helps families find the right camps, sent us some tips on affording summer camp this year.

Even though it's December, this is a timely topic. More than in years past, camps are offering deals for families who enroll early. At the same time, parents might not have the cash on hand for early deposits -- or they might wonder whether their camp plans will change next summer if someone in the family loses a job.

Here are Eifler's ideas: 

"If you have a tight budget but know you want to send your child away to camp:

--Be aware of early enrollment discounts. Plan ahead.

--Ask the camp about a discount for multiple children from one family.

--Inquire about shorter sessions to accommodate a tight budget.

--Make summer a part of your educational plan. Choose a shorter specialty program that will enhance the student’s profile for college or help develop a new interest or skill.

--Contact camps run by your local county government or agencies like the Jewish Federation, the JCC, the Salvation Army, Campfire Boys and Girls or the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. These camps offer a summer experience at a reduced cost because the sponsoring agency subsidizes the camp.

--Look into financial aid, which is available at most camps. If you apply early, it is possible to get a 20-50 percent discount based on need."

Do you have other ideas to share?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Today's tips on buying toys come from the January issue of ShopSmart magazine, which points out that some of the new lead laws don't take effect until next year -- and that some toys on store shelves this season might still have "worrisome lead levels" even if they're not on recall lists. For more information and tips, see this story on the U.S. Public Interest Group's latest report on toys.

Here are the magazine's strategies for buying safe toys:

--"Know what toys to avoid. Steer clear of no-name toys and, regardless of your child’s age, don’t buy toys with small magnets, even if the magnets seem safely contained within the toy. Don’t buy metal jewelry, especially the cheap stuff, for young children or allow them to play with key chains or items with metal charms. If you have an infant or toddler who still puts almost everything in her mouth, don’t buy squeezable soft plastic toys or books. Unless it says “no phthalates” on the package, there’s no way of knowing if they contain the chemical or not.

--Buy according to a kid’s age. Look for manufacturer’s recommended age ranges on toy packaging. Age grading is more than a friendly hint. It can alert you to a possible choking hazard, the presence of small parts, and other dangers. And think twice before buying a toy with small parts for a child older than 3 who has a younger sibling. Keep all small round or oval objects, including coins, balls, and marbles, away from kids under 3.

--Check for recalls. Before shopping, go to cpsc.gov, a government Web site, to see whether the toys you plan to buy (and the toys already in your home) have been recalled. Also, sign up for free e-mail notices of recalls here. And if a product you buy comes with a registration card, fill it out and send it in so you will be notified directly by the manufacturer if the item is recalled. It’s up to retailers to take recalled toys off store shelves but, once a recalled toy is in your home, it’s up to you to keep it away from your family or return it ASAP.

--Watch where you shop. Be leery of drugstores, airports, and dollar stores. They’ve been known to carry flimsy plastic toys with dangerous sharp edges or small parts that can break off easily. Thrift stores, consignment shops, yard and garage sales, and eBay often have toys in excellent condition, but check to see that they’re well made and have no small magnets or parts. Wash the toys before giving them."

(Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Barbara Haddock Taylor)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Looking for some projects to help the kids look forward to and celebrate Thanksgiving? Here are a few tips:

--Get a whole roundup of ideas, including Thanksgiving printables, here.

--Make an easy turkey puppet from a paper lunch bag, courtesy of Jennwa at The Ramblings of a Crazy Woman (disregard the name -- anyone organized enough for craft projects can't be that crazy).

--Make a clothespin pilgrim!

--Have them design the Thanksgiving menu with you (if you dare), and write out the shopping list.

--Make Sweet Potato Casserole Cupcakes, as Cupcake Project did last year.

--Not so into this particular holiday, but need to keep kids quietly, earnestly busy while you or your hosts cook? Little Elephants has a list of 30 simple projects. Make your own Thank You cards might be particularly appropriate.

--In a pinch, most young kids still enjoy drawing the old turkey from a hand and decorating it. I was surprised to find my son earnestly doing that on our white board the other day.

(Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Lloyd Fox)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

When the holidays arrive, so will the college students some of you tearfully sent off a few months ago. Now they're coming back with their own schedules and ways of doing things, expecting turkey and, perhaps, some clean laundry.

STA Travel, the youth and student travel company, has tips on how to ease your returning student back into life at home for the holidays:

-- Talk about changes in advance. "If you’ve transformed your student’s bedroom into an office or media room, let them know in advance. They will appreciate the heads-up and you will avoid any arguments when they find out for themselves."

--"Expect them to rest. What you might see as lazy is just your student catching up on some much-needed rest. Remember that students are coming off a very stressful time of studying and final exams, so they probably didn’t get much sleep. Don’t worry if they sleep in the first few days they are back home. They need to be rested and rejuvenated for the next semester."

--Plan ahead. "Work out a schedule ahead of time for the visit home. Set aside time for (students) to visit with family, but make sure they have time to visit with their old friends as well. If you show some consideration to their plans, they will likely return the favor."

--"Set some ground rules. Set some basic rules with your student before they return home, but allow for some flexibility in certain areas. You may not be able to enforce a curfew, but ask them to let you know of their plans and when they expect to be home."

--"Plan for shared resources. Set a schedule or some rules for bathroom use and another other shared resources. If your student has to share a bedroom or bathroom, or sleep in a guest room, make sure they have their space. You don’t want them to feel like they’ve been left out of the family."

Do those of you who've been through this have anything to add? 

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Is the sagging economy putting the squeeze on your family -- and causing some tense times? The Family Tree, a Baltimore nonprofit dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, has some tips for keeping things at home on a more even keel as you navigate a financial crisis:

"--Talk to your children and answer their questions honestly. Have age appropriate discussions with your children about how the current economic downturn affects your family and ways you are dealing with any problems.

"--Limit your news intake. Stay informed, but do not let children get caught up in the round the clock coverage of the negative state of the economy.

"--Take care of yourself. Exercise, watch what you eat, get plenty of rest, and take time for yourself.

"--Be realistic. Look over your current financial situation and develop a plan to manage expenses. Don’t obsess over past mistakes or possible future problems.

"--Have a support network. Talk to family, friends, spiritual leaders, ask for assistance.

"--Take a break. Engage in a family activity; visit the park, walk around the neighborhood or simply enjoy a meal together and avoid discussing the economy.

"--Seek support when needed. If the level of stress or anxiety is overwhelming call The Family Tree’s Stressline – 800-243-7337.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Boo; Halloween is tomorrow! Scared yet? (That your kid will get chocolate on his costume at the daytime Halloween party; that your boss will see you sneaking out for the Halloween parade and stop you in your tracks; that those cute olive eyeballs you made won't go over well?) Aside from those fears, there's the serious issue of safety for trick-or-treaters. AAA has these tips for us:

"--Select highly visible costumes. Look for light, bright and reflective costumes that make trick-or-treaters easy to see. Add reflective tape to costumes and treat buckets and bags to increase visibility.

"--Make sure costumes fit well. Have trick-or-treaters try on, walk and play in costumes and shoes in advance to check fit. Make sure nothing comes loose or might cause the child to trip. Check that wigs or other accessories do not obstruct the child’s view.

"--Review safety precautions with children. Include traffic safety rules in the review, such as staying on the sidewalk, crossing the street at crosswalks, avoiding walking in front of, behind or between parked cars and stopping at driveways to make sure no vehicles are coming in and out.

"--Plan trick-or-treating route and supervision in advance. Avoid areas with heavy vehicle traffic and look for well-lit streets with sidewalks. Make arrangements for an adult or a responsible teen to accompany younger trick-or-treaters.

"--Get a flashlight with fresh batteries. A flashlight can help trick-or-treaters see and be seen, but it should never be directed at someone’s eyes including those of passing motorists.

And here are more tips from local law-enforcement agencies, courtesy of Peter Hermann's Baltimore Crime Beat blog. Remember that the big pumpkin sign you might see outside a house actually may mean a sex offender is living there, so keep away. (The pumpkin, according to Hermann, will look "stern" and have a sign saying "No candy at this residence.")

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Today's Tip Sheet is on how to take great Halloween pictures. Kodak.com has a nice multimedia presentation with tips on how to make the most of your photos of the spooky holiday. They include:

 --Tell a story. Photograph your child turning into his Halloween alter-ego, as well as the finished look. You can use the photos to make a flip-book that documents the transformation.

--Avoid flash reflections. (See good "do" and "don't" examples here.) If you're using a flash (and since some of these pictures are taken when it's dark out, you might be), stay away from reflective surfaces like mirrors and windows. They can project a big, irritating reflection of the flash onto your shot. If you can't avoid those surfaces, Kodak.com recommends standing diagonally from your subject while you shoot.

--Move in close. Fill the frame with your subject. (This tip works year round, especially when it comes to taking kid pictures.)

--Stay in flash range, about 6-10 feet for digital cameras and 15 feet for cameras that use film, Kodak.com says. Otherwise, your pics will be too dark or too light.

--Get kids into character. Urge them to act the part they're playing...

(AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Continue reading "Tip sheet on taking great Halloween pictures" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Here's our short list of tips for cheap and easy Halloween costumes for both kids and adults. We'd all love it if you add more ideas in the comments:

--Hit your local kids' consignment shop. Even if you don't see what you're looking for, your kids might get inspired by something they see. (My son fell in love with a too-short-but-still-cute dalmation puppy costume.)

--Host a last-minute costume swap with your fellow parent friends. Each family brings costumes the kids have outgrown and/or no longer want.

--Fay Hite posted some good tips on two very different Halloween looks -- "Spa Girl" (sounds like a costume Mom would like to save for herself) and an adult costume based on Hitchcock's The Birds (that movie always freaked me out).

--Kim Tilley has posted some very good ideas at childfun.com. My favorite is to buy superhero pajamas for winter and dress them up. Nothing like a Halloween costume that's actually useful after Halloween.

--If you like conceptual costumes, try this one from Parent Hacks on a baby: "Easy baby halloween costume: Use a permanent marker and write "E=mc^2" on a onesie. Apply mousse to hair. Ta-da! Baby Einstein."

--Stretcher.com has some basic ideas easy enough even for people like me, including help for Robert on his little guy's ghost costume. With just the cost of spray-on hair coloring, your tween can be a rock star, and it's easy to make ninja weapons by covering cardboard with foil.

 --Scott Harris mentioned sortprice.com, and while I didn't find any fantastic deals in my brief spin on the site, I did come up with an actual child's Alice in Wonderland costume for $32.99. (Only now, of course, my daughter has changed her mind and wants to be Annie instead.)

--This site has lots of ideas for costumes made out of a box, and a recipe for homemade makeup.

(Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Doug Kapustin)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

I'm starting to panic.

It just figures that the only Alice in Wonderland costume that comes up in a Baltimore shoplocal search is a sassy "adult" version, complete with garters, for $39.99.

Something's wrong here. Actually, several things. Not only can you not find a simple child's costume meant for a child, but the kind you find is $40. In this economy, I just don't think that flies.

I'm not the only one having this problem. Reader Robert wrote to ask for a Tip Sheet on costumes because his 2-year-old wants to be a ghost, and they can't find a costume. For a ghost!

Robert also wants tips on making the costume. I think a lot of us could use that help; I've told you before, I have a craftiness deficit. But I know a lot of you readers have craftiness in spades.

So please post your tips so we can help each other, both for making costumes, finding inexpensive costumes, and helping kids think about affordable costumes. (Here are some ideas from an earlier post to get you started.)

(Photo by Sun photographer Amy Davis)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Here's our Tip Sheet on farms our readers like to visit. More details can be found in a story this morning by Lindsey Citron:

 --Granny likes Clark's Elioak Farm in Howard County, and so do my kids. The play equipment from Enchanted Forest is a plus, as is the petting farm.

--Kelly is a fan of Baugher's Orchard in Westminster, where you can pick apples on October weekends through the "third weekend in October or so," according to the web site. (It might be best to call ahead if you're set on apples.) There's also play equipment and a free petting zoo.

--We've got a map mashup of farms here. If you're in the city or the northern part of Baltimore County, the closest-in farms look to be Weber's and North Run Farm, which appears to have a huge corn maze. (Those things have always freaked me out, since my kids love to "hide" in them. But maybe that's just me.) 

More tips for a great farm experience?

(Kenneth Lam/Sun photographer)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

It's getting to be time to pick your pumpkin. If your preschool or school doesn't have a field trip scheduled, perhaps you're going on your own this weekend or next. But which pumpkin patch is best to visit?

I thought local pumpkin farms would be a good subject for next Thursday's tip sheet. As usual, the tips depend on you. Even more so this time than usual, because my heretofore favorite destination, the charming Belvedere Farm in Fallston, is not holding fall activities this year.

To start the discussion, here's our list of local pumpkin farms. Which is your favorite? Are there others you'd recommend?

(Patrick Smith/Sun photographer)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 8:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Things to Do, Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Today's tips come from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, who want to see your kids' feet and ankles stay free of injury during the fall sports season. The organization sent along tips from Kansas City foot and ankle surgeon James Good, who says kids who play football, soccer, and basketball are most likely to suffer sprains and broken bones.

Here are his tips: 

"Have old sprains checked by a doctor before the season starts. A medical check-up can reveal whether your child's previously injured ankle might be vulnerable to sprains, and could possibly benefit from a supportive ankle brace during competition.

"Buy the right shoe for the sport. Different sports require different shoe gear. Players shouldn't mix baseball cleats with football shoes.

"Children should start the season with new shoes. Old shoes can wear down like a car tire and become uneven on the bottom, causing the ankle to tilt because the foot can't lie flat.

"Check playing fields for dips, divots and holes. Most sports-related ankle sprains are caused by jumping and running on uneven surfaces. That's why some surgeons recommend parents walk the field, especially when children compete in non-professional settings like public parks, for spots that could catch a player's foot and throw them to the ground. Alert coaching officials to any irregularities.

"Encourage stretching and warm-up exercises. Calf stretches and light jogging before competition helps warm up ligaments and blood vessels, reducing the risk for ankle injuries. 

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Sanket Akerkar, general manager for Microsoft's Mid-Atlantic states district, agreed to do a guest post for today's Tip Sheet Thursday on some aspects of online safety for back to school social networking. This obviously isn't going to cover everything that could be said about the topic, but it can get us (often befuddled) parents started.

Here's his post:

"Young adults use social networking sites more than any other age group, and they often underestimate the potential dangers that can be associated with this medium. As a parent, I understand the importance of creating an open dialogue about social networking with our children.

"The good news for parents is that there are a few easy steps to take to help keep your kids protected from cyber bullying and identity theft.  By talking to your kids, you can empower them with the "cyber smarts" they need to enjoy all the benefits of social networking, without the negative effects.

The first step is educating yourself...

(Photo of Sanket Akerkar courtesy of Microsoft)

Continue reading "Tip Sheet Thursday: Social networking safety" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Seven years ago today I was playing with my baby girl's toes, and she was happily chortling, when my husband called to tell me that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center towers.

As I turned on the TV and digested what had happened, I felt the need to keep smiling at the baby, to not project onto her the awfulness of what was unfolding. Even though the baby is now in second grade, I find myself still trying to avoid the subject.

But, of course, the world doesn't avoid it. Leah learned last year about what had happened during her school library time. Turns out that the librarian had the right idea about how to address the topic with a group of first-graders, many of them born in 2001. "You were the good news" that year, my daughter reported she told them. "And this was the bad news."

So I thought today's Tip Sheet might address how to talk to kids about the 9/11 anniversary. Feel free to add your own:

 (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)

Continue reading "Tip Sheet Thursday: Talking to kids about 9/11" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

If you're taking advantage of the slight decline in gas prices and taking a family road trip this Labor Day weekend, here are some tips for surviving your time in the car:

--Momsminivan.com has lots of games and some interesting tips on how to relieve car-sickness. (And a good one in case you aren't able to relieve the sickness in time to prevent a mess; stow empty butter tubs and their lids in the car, so you can at least contain the mess until your next stop.)

--This site has more tips, including one we have used: leave in the pre-dawn, before-breakfast hours. If you get kids to sleep in their traveling clothes, you can "swoop" them into the car at the last minute, and with luck they'll sleep for a few more hours. Then you can stop for pancakes.

--This story from the Los Angeles Times suggests giving kids projects or games they can do as a team to cut down on back-seat bickering. For example, they can compose a song for Grandma together, or work together to count green cars, the story says.

--If you can plan ahead, have a grandparent record him or herself telling or reading long stories. Play the tapes or CDs on the long ride.

--And a couple of don'ts: You might be tempted to prop a portable DVD player between your kids' seats if you don't already have a system with two screens in your car, but beware: looking even a little to the side to watch the movie can cause vertigo (and car sickness) in some kids. It happened to us once on a trip to the Outer Banks. Reading can cause car-sickness even faster, so save the books for your destination.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays, Travel
        

Before summer ends, here are a few favorite ice cream shops for kids. So far submissions have been a little thin, so keep them coming; remember, our comment contest, featuring a $50 Target gift card as the prize, is still going on:

Broom's Bloom Dairy, Bel Air. This Harford County farm, run by nine generations of the Dallam family, serves hand-dipped, homemade ice cream that's worth a trip, says Shani. (I love their phone number: 410-399-COWS.)

Uncle Wiggly's, 6911 York Rd., Stoneleigh, 410-377-3373. Our family likes the range of Edy's ice cream flavors at this place (kids' current favorite: Crazy Vanilla), and the pleasant patio.

North Pole Ice Cream, Highlandtown. Robert is a fan of this place. Love the name.

Hoffman's Home Made Ice Cream & Deli, Westminster. In a recent Takeout column, Rob Kasper picked their peach ice cream as his Best Bargain.

Lee's Ice Cream on York Road just north of Gittings. Upsides: You can get ice cream AND Fractured Prune donuts under one roof. And Kasper picked its peach ice cream as Best Bite. Downside: Last time we visited, I thought it was a bit pricey.

(2004 photo of Kate Dallam by Sun photographer Kenneth K. Lam)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Summer's fading fast, and with it those trips to the ice-cream shop that children live for. That makes this Thursday the perfect day for a tip sheet on your favorite local ice-cream spots for families.

Post your favorite parlors and the kid-friendly features that you like. I'll get a list together for tomorrow.

The place in the photo isn't local, but in Williamsport, Pa. I couldn't resist it, though. Wouldn't your kids go crazy over those humongous cones?

Then again, they'd probably end up wearing most of the ice cream...

(Photo of Sunset Ice Cream Parlor in Williamsport, Pa., by Diane Stoneback/Allentown Morning Call)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Here are a few ideas I picked up online today about school-supply sales. If you've found other deals, please share:

 --J.C. Penney is listing a great price on kids' backpacks -- $11.99, less than half their normal price -- on ShopLocal for Friday and Saturday.

--If you like Lands' End backpacks and lunch boxes, they're $5 off through Aug. 27 at this link.

--Also at ShopLocal, Walgreens has a coupon for a 10-pack of #2 pencils for 9 cents, good through Saturday (limit: 4 packs). You can't really beat that with a stick...

--KQ Mom mentioned a good deal on composition pads at Staples; it's running through Saturday. A 6-pack of yellow highlighters is $1, and two-pocket folders appear to be free with instant rebate (limit 10). All of this is while supplies last. Leave some for me, won't you, folks?

--For general tips on back-to-school savings, check out the guide today on our Consuming Interests blog.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

I'm hereby floating the idea of a tip sheet this week about where you're finding the best deals (locally and online) on school supplies -- everything from school clothes and uniforms to pencils and composition books.

This would be a really useful tip sheet if a) we all pitch in with tips, and b) we get specific as we can about prices and whereabouts. If you're talking about a web site, please provide a link to the item.

So let's start submitting tips now. That way I'll be able to tell whether we'll have enough for Thursday.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Here's a list of great public libraries for families in the Central Maryland area. If your favorite isn't listed, please add it in the comments section:

--Storyville at the Rosedale branch of the Baltimore County Public Library is hard to beat. Even the Web site is awesome. If you haven't been, here's a virtual tour, which shows you around the "town square" where kids can play and listen to stories; the "construction zone"; the theater where kids can put on a puppet show; and more.

--The East Columbia branch of the Howard County library in the village of Owen Brown gets kudos from Nina, who likes the great selection and helpful librarians.

 --There's a kids' kingdom at the main Towson branch of the Baltimore County Library, a favorite of Baltomommie. It has a special gated area for kids under 3.

--A couple of favorites in the Enoch Pratt Free Library system in Baltimore:

The Roland Park branch reopened at the end of last year with an expanded children's section and a nice, airy look. Kayris and her family like the Southeast Anchor branch, which opened last year. (She's got a good point about the doors that fit a double stroller; that' alone will keep any mom of two young ones coming back.)

(Photo at the Rosedale library's Storyville by Sun photographer Barbara Haddock Taylor)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

It's time to submit your nominations for this week's Tip Sheet Thursday, which will look at favorite public library branches for families around Central Maryland.

Obviously lots of people stick with their local branches, but are there any that your kids find so much fun or that you find so well-stocked that you'd make a special trip to visit? Comment early and often.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

It was a close call, but I decided to go with Amy's request for trips on air travel with children for this week's tip sheet. Fave libraries can be next week's subject, which gives us a little more time for your tips. (I just know you're going to send a lot of them.)

Here are some ideas for keeping kids entertained and reasonably quiet before and during your flight. Please chime in with your own: 

(Photo at Baltimore-Washington International Airport by Sun photographer Jerry Jackson)

Continue reading "Flying with kids: Tip Sheet Thursday" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

What are your ideas for this week's tip sheet?

Some possibilities:

--Best presents for a 2-year-old (continuing the birthday series)

--Favorite local libraries, and why

--Top ways to pass the time on a car trip

What's your pleasure?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Well, I'm still not feeling so great, so this tip sheet on how to stay well in a house with kids might be just a leeetle thin. You're still welcome to help me out with ideas, though. (Would begging be unseemly in my weakened state?)

The thing is, while you might be wiping everything down, washing hands often, etc., moms can't go into complete quarantine when someone in the house is sick. If it's a child, that child probably needs some cuddling, which brings you in close proximity to the germs. Not to mention you might have to get pretty darn close to help get any medicine down.

And if it's mom who's sick, you're really in trouble. Unless you're lucky enough to have full-time household help, sick mom probably still has to perform at least some of her duties. She may have to make some meals, supervise baths, hand the kids things, etc. I find the germ-spreading potential of this a little scary.

So here are a few ideas:

--Kitchen tongs are my new best friend. I used them this morning to get cereal down from the cupboard and open it; and even to carry some little plates to the table. You could use a different pair to hand your child a pair of socks or a lunchbox he forgot. The kids got a kick out of this, and I worried less about spreading my germs, even though my hands were clean.

--Wash, wash, wash your hands. I know you all know this, and it still doesn't always work, but health professionals have long said this is the best way to prevent the spread of bugs. Remember to wash for at least 20 seconds, using plenty of soap. Teach younger children to sing "Happy Birthday" twice (or maybe something cooler) to pass the time.

And parents, take a few minutes to wash your hands after being at the office before those babies run up with their irresistible hugs at day's end. (Or keep hand sanitizer in the car -- not a bad idea anyway -- and slather it on before you come in.) That way the office germs should stay at the office.

--This Babycenter article points out the most important surfaces to disinfect when anyone is sick. They're things that everybody touches, like doorknobs, television remotes, toys, and (I would add) the phones and computer keyboards.

--This pediatrician reminds us to teach children to cover their noses and mouths when they cough or sneeze. I've taught mine to cough into an elbow (as long as it's a dry cough) to keep germs off those hands, which are the key spreaders. When they're coughing every five seconds, there's no way you can wash your hands that much.

Your ideas?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Clearly, we need more time for recommendations for child care in southern Baltimore County. Instead, here is an off-the-top-of-my-head tip sheet on another topic we batted about briefly -- presents for a first birthday.

 Besides, today is my adorable nephew's first birthday. Happy birthday, Jay!

To me, this is a harder birthday to buy for than you might think. One-year-olds are still sort of babies, yet in another way worlds away from that state -- they're on the move walking (or about to be); they're talking (or about to be). But many toys still aren't quite safe for a 1-year-old. Here are a few ideas. I hope you'll add more:

--I like Dahlink's suggestion of a big, empty box. Low to no cost, high play value.

--A sturdy drum might be a headache for parents, but it's a great, safe tactile and audio experience for the emerging toddler. There's one on this list from a mom on Yahoo!'s Shine, along with some other ideas.

--Simple bath books (waterproof, tearproof) are a great way to get squirmy 1-year-olds to settle down in the tub. We had "One Fish, Two Fish" by Dr. Seuss.

--A sturdy, adjustable basketball hoop with mini ball. This is a gift that keeps on giving, because you can move the hoop higher as the child grows.

--Money for college. I'm no financial adviser, but it seems like stocks are in buying mode at the moment. Your gift could gain great ground by the time your little friend is 17.

--A CD of listenable kids' music. (That should be its own TS Thursday topic soon.) Local band Milkshake's Happy Songs would be perfect for this age.

--Good, old-fashioned, and large (for safety) wooden blocks with letters and/or numbers.

Your favorites?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

As I mentioned before, I'd like to make the next installment of our child care tip sheet series about places readers can recommend in southern Baltimore County.

Please post your nominations below, because I'm not personally familiar with anything in that neck of the woods. If we need more time to get nominations on this one, I'll choose another topic for this Thursday. So stay tuned.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Every kid loves fireworks, right? In theory. Sometimes it's late, it's loud, and it's not so much fun. Then you just want to beat it home, only you might be stuck in downtown traffic. And that's when the real fireworks might begin....

That said, here's a list of fireworks shows with some activities that the kids might enjoy. And if you're braving the harbor show, look for my tips on that at the end.

--If the family's up for the big show in D.C., a friend suggests renting a kayak from Jack's Boathouse and watching on the Potomac. The web site indicates they have a few boats left.

--Robert likes the Fullerton fireworks located just off Belair Road at the athletic fields at Fullerton Elementary.

--Several parents enjoy taking their kids to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concert and fireworks at Oregon Ridge, partly because of the nice playground on the premises.

--Columbia hosts a Fourth of July festival on the Columbia lakefront from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a children's area, food vendors and fireworks.  

--Catonsville hosts a full day of events, including children’s games and races, live music, a parade, a pre-fireworks musical salute, color-guard tribute and fireworks. Events start at 9:30 a.m., and the fireworks show begins at 9:15 p.m. at Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Ave. Call 410-744-9655. Free.

--The Dundalk Heritage Fair is a 3-day festival with live entertainment, carnival rides, a rock-climbing wall, a beer garden, a fireworks display, arts and crafts for sale and more. Hours are noon-10 p.m. Friday through Sunday at Dundalk Heritage Park, 2700 Playfield St., Dundalk. Call 410-284-0591. $5. Free for children 12 and younger with adult.

--Another family hikes to the University of Maryland College Park, where you can take advantage of plentiful campus parking to see the fireworks.

And, if you're planning on braving the Inner Harbor fireworks....

(Photo by Candus Thomson)

Continue reading "A fireworks tip sheet" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Favorite kid-friendly places for Fourth of July fireworks, a suggestion from Robert.

Please nominate your favorite venues for fireworks, and tell us why they're particularly kid-friendly. For example, if you take the family to the Inner Harbor, tell us where you watch the fireworks, how you handle the late bedtime and how you navigate the traffic afterwards. If you attend a suburban parade and party, tell us why the kids like that.

Meanwhile, care to guess where the Fourth of July photo to the left was taken?

(2006 photo by Steve Ruark/Special to the Sun) 

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

This ended up being a tough Tip Sheet to write, and in a sense it's not finished yet. As one poster said last week, choosing a place for your child to spend his or her days while you're at work is one of the most important and personal decisions you can make as a parent.

So it feels like more than any other, this list depends on specific recommendations from parents who have actually used child-care providers in Baltimore City. We didn't get many different names, which I think is in part a reflection on the paucity of good options out there in the city. Especially for infants, the competition can be tough, and the monthly cost easily higher than your mortgage.

We did get a lot of one name: Downtown Baltimore Child Care. (You can read what parents had to say here and here.) My children didn't attend, but I know lots of parents whose children did, and all the families seemed to love it. There are two locations in the downtown area, and one takes babies as young as 4 months.

Here are a few others I've heard good things about:

--Tide Point Day Care in Locust Point announced it would close in August, but has apparently found a way to stay open. It's one of the few day care centers that takes small infants and stays open past 5:30 p.m., if that's what you need.

--I've mentioned Govans Presbyterian Preschool before. We were there for years and loved it, but it's only for kids over 2. It does, however, have uniquely flexible hours, which let families choose everything from a couple of hours of morning preschool a couple times a week to full-time care.

--Cleo likes Cedarcroft School, 419 Cedarcroft Road, 410-435-0905, for preschool, as do other parents I know.

--Baltomommie mentions Bryn Mawr Little School, which also takes infants, and A Child's Place, for kids 3 - 6.

Now I'm hoping you'll chime in with your experiences at these places and others, with tips for parents just wading into this.

Continue reading "Child care in Baltimore City -- Tip Sheet Thursday" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

I'm starting a separate thread here to gather more tips for this week's Tip Sheet Thursday on great places to send your child for day care in Baltimore city. This will be the first in a series of tip sheets on the all-important question of day care, based on location.

When you post, please tell us as much as you can about why you like the child care provider or center (licensed home providers count too) and what ages you think it's best for. Let's try to get as many different recommendations as possible. I know a lot of you love Downtown Baltimore Child Care, but it wouldn't be convenient for everyone in the city. Let's hear about some others, too.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Thanks for all your tips about how to get away with the family on one tank of gas. Here are some of your and my favorites:

--Knoebels. Several people have recommended this spot north of Baltimore in Elysburg, Pa., which bills itself as "America's Largest Free Admission Park." You pay just for the rides you go on, which beats the usual all-inclusive fee if your family tends to get pooped halfway through the day. There are roller coasters and all the usual rides, along with a Carousel Museum and a Mining Museum.

--Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster, Pa. This is our family's favorite destination for a summer weekend getaway. If you're staying over, the Preview Plan is a particularly good deal; you can enter the park three hours before it closes for free if you've bought tickets for the next day. The rides are the perfect scale for toddlers, preschoolers and younger elementary-schoolers, and the setting is charming and laid-back. I love the trees, which keep you in the shade during a long amusement park day. Now, if the food offerings could be improved...

(Associated Press photo at Colonial Williamsburg by Steve Helber, 2006)

Continue reading "Vacation spots, one tank of gas away" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

OK folks, we're going with best family vacation spots less than a tank of gas away from Central Maryland for this week's Tip Sheet. It's already Wednesday, so I'm counting on you to flood me with recommendations. Remember, this works best when everybody shares.

At least until The Sun decides to send me to all these places to check them out personally. Which would be a sacrifice, but I'd do it for you.

And thanks to Michelle, next week's Tip Sheet will be the first in a series on places folks recommend for child care. At Debra's suggestion, we'll break this up geographically. Why don't we start with Baltimore city, since many of our readers seem to either live or work here, and expand out to some suburban locations with the next installment.

I'd like to get child-care suggestions started early, since it may be harder to come up with a good list. Please post those here as well.

Meanwhile, can you identify by name and location the mystery building in the photo? It's at a place that fits the parameters of our family-spots tip sheet.

(Photo by Sun photographer Jed Kirschbaum)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

What's your preference for this week's Tip Sheet Thursday?

Here are a few ideas I have:

--Best books for summer reading, preschool-second grade (with an older installment to follow);

--Best family movies;

--Best local ice-cream spots for kids;

--Best "vacation" spots no more than a tank of gas away.

Vote for one of these, or submit your own!

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Fathers were curiously quiet this week when asked what they wanted for Father's Day. Even my husband, after being directly called out, claimed he was getting an "error message" when he tried to go to the blog to comment. Likely story. (But if you're getting an error message, too, do let me know so I call tell the techies.)

Thanks to those who did contribute ideas, particularly my pal David Hobby, who put the word out to his fans through Strobist, a great blog for learning how to improve your photography.

So I've come up with this little list. If you'd like to add to it, please do:

--David wants a laser slingshot. If he does, all the dads who refuse to speak probably do, too.

--In the same vein, I'll suggest The Dangerous Book for Boys, which has lots of laser slingshot-ish activities for fathers and sons to do together.

--Kayris found a great deal on Omaha Steaks. In my experience, you can't go wrong with red meat (unless, of course, dad is vegetarian).

--Busy dads prize time with their friends as much as moms do. Once I happened into two tickets to an Orioles game. I secretly invited a good friend of my husband's whom he hadn't seen in a while and gave him one of the tickets. Then I gave my husband the other and told him to report to his seat to meet a "mystery guest." They had a great afternoon catching up, and I think the surprise added to the fun.

--Joe Burris makes a good case for roses, which wouldn't have occurred to me. And Soccer Dad wants something handmade from the kids.

--Geek Dad has some suggestions for those who love gadgets.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

What do you when the Baltimore humidity climbs, the kids are home and everybody's cranky? Here are your (and my) tips for those days, which are upon us:

--Get thee to the library. It's easy to overlook these public spaces in favor of more whiz-bang kid venues, but how can you beat air-conditioned, free and full of kids' books? Lots of libraries are kicking off their summer reading programs with parties in the next few days (I'll give you the lowdown in a separate post later.)

--Kids' bookstores often schedule free story times, and I'll do a separate post on those soon, too. You might have to spend a little money, but these are also good places to hang out on a sweltering day.

--Visit a museum. Free is especially good (if you've gotta leave suddenly, you haven't lost anything.) So you might head to the Baltimore Museum of Art or the Walters Art Museum, which are always free now. At the BMA, your kids can venture out briefly to play in the sculpture garden if they start to get antsy inside. Both museums have regular family activities.

--Take in a movie. This is an obvious one, and probably worth its own Tip Sheet later on best theaters for taking the kids. Meanwhile, I'll tell you about Regal Entertainment Group's Free Family Film Festival, which shows free family-friendly movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings throughout the summer starting the week of June 16. There are participating local theaters in Hunt Valley, Bel Air, Westminster and Marley Station.

(Photo of First Lady Katie O'Malley reading with son Jack at Rosedale Library's Storyville by Sun photographer Algerina Perna)

Continue reading "Beating the Baltimore heat" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

How do you and your kids escape summer heat? It's time to start sending your tips for this Thursday's list, which was suggested by Laura.

That's going to be a more challenging prospect than usual this year, isn't it -- BGE bills being what they are?

Post your tips below, and I'll get the list ready for Thursday morning. Remember, your tips count in our latest comment contest; we still have a little way to go before we hit lucky 700.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Here's our tip sheet of ideas for what to give your children's teachers at the end of the year. Thanks to your submissions, I've got a good list of "dos" here, along with a few "don'ts."

Do:

--When in doubt, give gift cards to useful places like Target and Wal-Mart. I've often wondered if that seemed too pedestrian as a thank-you gift, but the couple of teachers I talked to mentioned this as their favorite gift. If they want to, they can treat themselves to something fun and affordable. And if they need to, they can buy their kids diapers.

--Give from the heart. Can't afford all those gift cards this year? Teachers told me they really do appreciate handmade cards, especially from the children themselves. From you, a handwritten note goes a long way, too.

--Make something that lasts. I loved Momof2's idea for compiling a class cookbook with recipes from each child. What a great keepsake and way to remember the children and their families, and to give a group gift that doesn't turn into a financial burden. There are lots of self-publishing programs on the web these days where you can make the book look pretty professional. (There might not be time for that this year, but there's always next year.) Edamommy's cherry tree is another great, lasting idea.

--Think about what's convenient for the teacher. A Neiman-Marcus gift card isn't so useful if she can't get there, and isn't comfortable with Internet shopping. But if she stops at the local cafe for lunch every day, that gift card is likely a winner. (But see below. ...)

--Give food -- but consider something less perishable. She might be getting a lot, and if she has to eat it all right away, some could go to waste. One teacher I talked to said chocolate is perfect. Or steal MGB's idea of a gift card to a place where the teacher can pick up dinner.

Continue reading "Tip Sheet Thursday: Teacher gifts" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

I'm making an executive decision that this week we will collectively (and quickly) try to generate good ideas for end-of-the-year teacher gifts for Tip Sheet Thursday.

Please tell us below what kinds of gifts you give and, if possible, how much you spend. (This is when I envy you readers the anonymity blog posting -- as opposed to blog hosting -- can afford.)

This also gives us an opportunity to talk about what can be a tough issue: How to balance your gratitude with your checkbook, especially in this economy. And which teachers to include, when your children may have many (in regular school, after-care, for specialized lessons) who touch their lives.

Teachers, we would love to hear from you about what you like to get (and what you really don't). I'll try to poll a few about it; if you have a chance, you might ask your children's teachers and report in.

And I liked Laura's suggestion about places to beat the summer heat, which seems like a good plan for next week. Post your ideas for that topic, too.

(Photo by John Dziekan/Chicago Tribune)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

I was distracted by attending the infamous play today (I'll report on that later) and assorted other tasks, so I find my mind completely empty as I contemplate the looming Tip Sheet for this week. Parents, please fill the void, quickly!

What are your ideas for our next tip sheet?

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Here's a list of places some of our readers like to take their families on hikes. Special thanks to Christine, who not only suggested the topic but sent me a long list of spots.

Obviously this is not an exhaustive list, and I'm hoping parents who have actually hiked these trails will post reviews of which are the best and which weren't so successful for a particular age group.

(Photo of Cylburn Arboretum by Sun photographer Kim Hairston)

Continue reading "Tip Sheet Thursday: Family hikes" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Here's a small list of best pizza places that kids love. Now foodies, before you get all exercised about what's below, remember that this isn't necessarily the best pizza -- though some of these places rank up there. It's a list of places where families like to dine and everyone is reasonably happy.

Often all we can hope for, as parents. And the absence of even these basic conditions is why many parents told me they don't have a place to go for pizza -- they just take it out.

For example, according to my unscientific observation, the No. 1 kid favorite pizza variety is likely cheese. Just ... cheese. Second favorite: pepperoni. So it's good when a place has both plenty of basic pizza and some fancy-schmantzy stuff for the adults.

--Amer's Cafe, Fullerton. Jason K raved about this place early on. Make-your-own-pizza parties, belly dancing, and a location in the same shopping center as the Beltway Movies 6 movie theater, which shows lots of family-friendly matinees.

--Carmine's in Hunt Valley gets props from Annelies and mgb. I like the sound of a gelato shop in the back.

--Bertucci's, various locations in the area. Yes, it's a chain. I've not been, but I've heard good things from several parents, particularly about the Timonium location on York Road. 

--If it's not busy, Iggies Pizza in Mount Vernon has gotten kudos from Chowhound readers for kid-friendliness (and from Dining at Large readers for its gourmet, thin-crust pizzas). I've never taken my kids, but I do like the pizza and the atmosphere. But Chowhounders recommend avoiding Saturday nights. They also have a "take and bake" option that might work if you think the kids (or you, for that matter) aren't up to restaurant manners that night.

--LIVE! restaurant reviewer and mom Karen Nitkin likes Matthew's Pizza in Highlandtown and S'ghetti Eddies in Roland Park. I second the S'ghetti Eddie's shoutout because I liked its Colors of Italy pie last time we were there -- and because, according to the web site, they now serve ice cream with free sprinkles.

--Edamommy likes another Timonium place, Pasta Blitz (49 Aylesbury Road, 410-453-6603). In a 2006 Sun review, which may not apply anymore, Karen praised the food and said there were lots of pizzas available by the slice.

--If we're going for takeout, our family has become fond of Vito's Pizza, 6304 York Road, Towson, 410-323-8486. Their cheese version pleases the kids, and the adults like the veggie pizza.

Now, I do realize that there aren't any Anne Arundel or Howard County places on this list that aren't chains, so I'm fervently hoping that some readers from those parts will chime in with good recommendations. And if there's anyplace else that should be mentioned, please tell us in the comments below.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Food and Recipes, Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

I think this is the Thursday to come up with the list eapopp suggested of favorite area pizza places that kids love.

Pizza is certainly a staple for many families, though with the economy pinching all of us, it's apparently becoming more of a weekend treat, according to this piece on progressivegrocer.com. All the more reason to choose your pizza place wisely.

Dining at Large has done a general fave-pizza place list before, but ours will probably be geared as much to how easy it is to eat there with kids as it is to the taste of the pizza itself. Of course, we want the best of all worlds: great pizza in a place where the kids can run wild feel comfortable.

Post your favorite places below, and tell us what you like about them.

(Photo of Pasticcio pizza in Canton by Sun photographer Lloyd Fox)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

I found it telling that when I asked mothers, on and off Charm City Moms, what they really wanted for Mother's Day, not one person mentioned a physical item. What we want for Mother's Day is....

--Time. Some of us, like CKisMom and Annelies, want a peaceful day to hang out with the family.

--Time. Some of us, like mrg and MarylandMommy.com, want time to ourselves to do anything we want. (And in my opinion, it needs to be a long stretch of time. Sometimes when I have the gift of a few hours with no agenda, I'm so paralyzed with the possibilities that by the time I've decided what to do, time's up!)

--More time all the time. And others, in a perfect world, want more time every day, preferably time not filled with errands or carpools. Count me in this group. Lila said it best: "A 25th hour."

--Pampering: Yeah, it may be a cliche, but we'd really like to get our nails done, or have a facial or a massage.

--A personal trainer. This is (the other) kate's wish. It would be mine, too, if only I had time (see above).

--A professional organizer. Laura wants her scrapbooks/photo albums organized, eapopp wants her windows cleaned, and I want a dining room table with no papers on it.

--A date for a nice dinner. Several people mentioned this, and I'm there with them. Not only do I want a date with my husband for dinner out at one of my favorite places (the ones where the Dining at Large people would scream if they saw children), but I also want someone else to hire the babysitter, make the reservations, get the kids bathed and fed before the babysitter gets there, have enough cash on hand to pay the babysitter, and drive the babysitter home afterwards. While I sit around in my little black dress nursing a nightcap.

There, we've said it. Now, how do we feel about having the kids make us breakfast on Mother's Day? Pro: It's so sweet and fun. Con: We might have to clean it up afterwards.

Discuss.

(Sun file photo by Doug Kapustin)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

So ... what do you really want for Mother's Day? If we do a tip sheet on that for this Thursday, you can leave Charm City Moms strategically displayed on the computer all that day and the next, hoping SOMEBODY will get the hint.

I think this tip sheet is pretty necessary. For example, my e-mail inbox this morning included the following missive:

Chef Gordon Ramsay makes it easy with his new cookbook,

Gordon Ramsay’s Fast Food – PERFECT FOR MOTHER’S DAY

Just what I want on my special day: recipes from a chef who would cuss me out and perhaps vomit in my trash can if he doesn't like what I make from his book. So calming!

(Don't get me wrong; I'm sure the food is good. It just doesn't really say Mother's Day to me.)

What do you want? Post your tips below.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

To reward my weekend readers, I'm throwing in an extra tip sheet. Yes, I know it's Saturday, but rules were made to be broken. (This reminds me of those day-of-the-week bibs my kids wore as babies. If we didn't time the laundry just right, they ended up wearing the wrong day and humiliating their parents at day care.)

Also, I promised you some ideas on what to do with kids' art. I've combined your suggestions with some that I used in a Sun story on the subject a couple of years ago.

Click below for the list. ...

(Art by Leah from several years ago. No, I'm not recycling this one.)

Continue reading "Tips for handling children's art" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Here's our tip sheet on how to make kids' birthday parties a little greener. Thanks in particular to Laurel, who contributed lots of good ideas. A bonus of this list is that using it should also save you money.

--Green invitations. On her blog, Heather of EnviroMom suggests using Evite or recycling old art projects to make invitations.

--Greener gift wrap. Use recyclable plain paper to wrap gifts and have your children decorate them. Or, steal this great idea from Parent Hacks: Conceal your gift in a reusable shopping bag (which becomes part of the gift -- a double "green" effect when the recipient uses it at the store). Or give reusable shopping bags as parting gifts (see below).

--Or, skip the gifts, as Marc Nelson Jr. suggests. One way to keep people from bringing them anyway -- as I've seen happen -- is to ask for gifts of food for the hungry, or of puzzles or games to be donated to children who don't have any. (You'll want to make sure your birthday child is in step with this plan ahead of time, of course.)

--Reuse party ware. If your kids are small and/or you have more than one, you have lots of parties ahead of you. Do as Laurel suggests and buy washable plastic cups and plates and commercial-grade silverware you can use each time. Use your own tablecloths, or pick up used cloths at a thrift store if you're worried about stains.

--Imaginative decorations. As Laurel suggests, instead of buying pricey decorations, you can probably use some of your kids' own toys.

--Greener activities. You can make your own play dough for younger kids to use at the party and/or take home; here are a couple of recipes. Older kids might arrange to clean up a playground or school grounds, or do a project as a nature preserve, as part of the party. Or, have a scavenger hunt for items found in nature.

--Greener parting gifts. Instead of goodie bags, have the guests make their own thank-you gifts as a party activity. Or, as one of my friends did recently, collect gently used children's books from your household (or visit a source like The Book Thing) and tell the kids to choose one as they leave. For spring parties, consider giving each child a flower pot, some soil and seeds, and having them plant their gift at the party to take home.

Sources for some eco-friendly party supplies, and a few other ideas, can be found at the Nature Moms Blog.

Do you have other ideas to share? I'd love to know what you've done at your own parties.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

I'm thinking about a Green Week Tip Sheet on making birthday parties green, with ideas for earth-friendly activities; cutting down on the waste of wrapping paper; etc.

Do you like this one, or do you have other topics you'd like to see for this week's tip sheet? Please post below. And please share your green party tips so we can get a good list together.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Thanks for all the great comments, gear recommendations and other pieces of advice for Amy and other moms (and dads) to be. I'm sure we all appreciate them, with the possible exception of Amy's friends and relatives, who will now have to deal with a supersized registry of all your suggested items.

Even with all those recommendations I found myself wanting to know more about some of the gear (Lea Orlando, what's a bumbo seat?). So I'll do a little more research and save that list for later. Meanwhile, with your comments and some advice I've been thinking about, there's more than enough for a tip sheet on Things We Wish We'd Known before that first baby came.

Here goes. (Click below for the list and see why in the world Coco Chanel is pictured in her little black dress. ...):

Continue reading "Tip Sheet Thursday: Advice for the expecting" »

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
        

It's time to suggest topics for the next Tip Sheet Thursday. This week I've been trying to come up with ways to help Amy, the mom-to-be who wrote in to the blog several weeks ago.

Here are some of my ideas for a new-mom-themed list. Let me know what you think of them, and also pass along your suggestions for what items should be on each list.

--Ten pieces of baby gear you'll actually use.

--Ten bits of most useless advice we've ever heard about having a baby.

--Ten things we wish we'd known when having our first babies.

Please vote below.

 (Photo of Scandinavian furniture collection by Babi Italia and Mod Pod bedding set from Babies "R" Us, distributed by the Associated Press)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Babies and Toddlers, Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Getting a child's hair cut can be a dreaded experience or something to look forward to, and the right setting often makes all the difference. Here's our short list, roughly by location, of area places that know how to deal with wriggling, fearful little ones. Thanks to all who sent their tips.

By the way, for those of you just taking kids for their first haircuts now, be sure to have the barber/stylist save a lock of hair for you. Many of these places will make a certificate for your child's official first haircut.

Please let us know about other great places by posting a comment below. And tell us how you get a reluctant child into the barber's chair.

--Salon 36 Kids, Pikesville. Annelies and her family visit this kid-focused salon. Check out the salon's blog for pictures of first haircuts and birthday parties. Standard kids' cut: $18 for 10 and under; $22 for those 11-14; $25 for those 15-18. (Here's the Sun's recent story that detailed the rush for haircuts there before Passover.)

--Studio S, Timonium. This salon has a separate kids' area with toys and movies. Thanks to Sharon for the tip. Standard kids' cut: starts at $14 for kids 3 and under, up to $22 and up for teenage girls.

--Cartoon Cuts, White Marsh Mall, The Mall in Columbia, and Marley Station Mall in Glen Burnie, along with a couple of other locations in the Washington area. According to the Web site you can watch cartoons and videos while you're being clipped, or bring your own. Standard kids' cut: $15.99; promotions and discounts on the Web site.

-- Martin's Hairport Inc., 7628 Belair Road, Nottingham, 410-668-5400. Robert's family likes to visit Vittorio, who works at the salon a couple of days a week. Standard kids' cut: About $10 for younger kids.

--Gennuso's, 6803 York Road, Stoneleigh, 410-377-4610. This is a great old-time Baltimore barber shop where the staff loves kids. There's a box of toys to play with while you wait, lollipops for every child customer, and kind treatment. This is where my kids (and my husband) get their hair cut; then we head down the street for bagels. Standard kids' cut: $14.

--Hair Cuttery, various locations around the area. Several folks on and off the blog told me this chain is quick, easy and inexpensive, especially for adults who like to get an affordable cut at the same time. Standard kids' cut: $9 for 8 and under; $13 for 9 and over.

--The Beatnik Barber Shop, 241 W. Read Street, Mount Vernon, 410-669-3033. This place gets the nod from Lila and earned a mention in Baltimore Magazine's 2007 Best of Baltimore issue -- though that writeup didn't say anything about the kids' experience. It did praise the coffee and jazz, which sounds pretty good, actually. Standard kids' cut: $16.

--Sal's Barber Shop, 9338 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, 410-461-9887. LIVE restaurant reviewer Karen Nitkin, author of the book Fun with the Family in Maryland, says this is a boy-friendly old-fashioned barber shop (generally no girls or women can get haircuts there, though.) Standard kids' cut: $13.

(2005 photo by the Associated Press)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 6:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Unless there is overwhelming sentiment for another topic, I'm leaning toward making this Thursday's tip sheet about great places to get your kids' hair cut in the area. Bonus points if it doesn't cost a fortune.

Again, I need your help with suggestions. Please post places where you've had good haircut experiences below, and tell us where they are and why you like them. If you have another idea for Tip Sheet Thursday, post that, too. And if you don't see it this week, there's always another Thursday around the bend. ...

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Here's our first Tip Sheet Thursday, on great local public playgrounds. Thanks to all who contributed ideas. 

These are roughly grouped by location, and not at all ranked. Please tell us your favorites in the comments section, and also which great ones I didn't list:

--Meadowood Regional Park, Brooklandville. This big park wins kudos for its multi-age appeal, with bike paths, play equipment, and as (the other) Kate mentioned, bathrooms.

--Oregon Ridge Park, Cockeysville. Not only can you play, but as MGB said, you can go for a hike.

--Rodgers Forge Tot Lot, on the median between Dunkirk and Blenheim roads, Rodgers Forge. This is community cooperation at its best; in addition to the playground and sandbox, neighbors leave lots of old toys and playhouses for everyone to use.

--Annie's Playground, Fallston. This huge playground was built in memory of Annie McGann Cumpston, who died after being hit by a car in Baltimore in 2003. It has a treehouse, amphitheater/outdoor classroom, puppet theater, dragon and elephant slides, baseball area and Memorial Garden, according to the web site. 

--Lyn Stacie Getz Creative Playground, Bel Air. This was the mystery playground that was pictured in the photo the other day.

--Our Playground at Stadium Place, next to the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg YMCA, Baltimore. My kids call this Waverly playground, built by the community several years ago, the "castle park" after its design. There are lots of fun nooks and crannies for imaginative play. The downside: We've sometimes gone only to find it locked, and getting someone from the nearby Y who has the key can be a hassle. 

--Patterson Park, 200 S. Linwood Ave., Baltimore. With urban pioneers (some with kids) flocking to the neighborhood, this wide-open space should only get more fun. There are two playgrounds; the one along Eastern Avenue between Milton and Montford avenues was revamped three years ago. 

 --The two-acre "tire park" in the Hilton area of Patapsco Valley State Park. Several colleagues mentioned how much fun their children have had there on the recycled tires. The only downside, they say, is that it's a little hard to find. (Directions here.) 

--Several colleagues mentioned the tot lot at the south end of Centennial Park in Ellicott City, along Route 108.

--Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis. In addition to the playground, there are lots of trails. Boats can be rented starting in mid-April, according to the web site.

Two things occurred to me as I was compiling this list, and you'll see them as Future Tip Sheets. One is that we need a list of playgrounds that are especially accommodating to disabled children. And the other is that indoor playgrounds, which aren't included here, will be welcome when it gets either unbearably hot or cooler still than it has been.

(Photo of the Patapsco Valley State Park tire playground by Jed Kirschbaum, 2000)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

The people have spoken (well, several people, anyway.) Great local playgrounds will be the subject of this Thursday's Tip Sheet, our first.

Time to flood me with your recommendations for places in the city as well as Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Anne Arundel and Carroll counties. Tell us where the playground is, what's distinctive about it, and what ages it seems best for. I'll do some reporting and pull together the list for Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, can anyone guess the name and location of the playground in the photo?

(Sun staff photo by Lloyd Fox)

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays
        

Drum roll, please. Charm City Moms is starting a new feature I hope you'll love. Every Thursday, with your help, I'll produce a roundup of great local parent destinations or ideas on a theme that you can use.

This will be a lot like the Top Ten Tuesdays on Elizabeth Large's wonderful blog, where I stole the idea got the inspiration for this feature. Sometimes our tip sheet will resemble her restaurant list, with the lowdown on great public playgrounds, old-time carousels, places to experience nature or grab an ice cream cone, sources for good-quality but affordable kids' clothes, etc.

Other times, I'll be looking less for destinations and more for, well, tips. Like themes for a 5-year-old's birthday party. Or ideas for helping your child's teacher in 30 minutes or less a week.

Now let me reiterate what I said before -- that this feature will depend largely on you. It just won't be possible for me to check out every destination or try every tip personally. The success of the tip sheets will depend greatly on your suggestions for the list. This will be parents helping parents; I'm here to bring it together and add some reporting to the mix.

Now that you've stopped jumping for joy over this new addition to our blog, it's time to vote. Do you any of the above themes appeal to you for our first Tip Sheet next Thursday? Or do you have your own suggestion? Speak up now by posting a comment below. Remember that even if yours isn't chosen, there's a good chance it will show up soon.

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Tip Sheet Thursdays