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Archives for April 2009

Book Winner and Fundraiser

Let me start by saying that I recommend you go shopping HERE tomorrow. 

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All purchases will benefit Baby Bella and you can read more about her HERE.  Baby Bella is the granddaughter of Debbie from Talking Trash.  She was a guest on the domestic fringe and if you’d like to meet her, click HERE.

 

OK, now for the book winner….drum-roll please!

****Shannon from Flower Patch Farm Girl is our winner.****

Thank you all for commenting on the post about Co-Sleeping.  The discussion was interesting.  I was just surprised more people don’t co-sleep.  Maybe they do and they just didn’t comment. 

 If you normally read the domestic fringe and don’t comment, I’d like to encourage you to introduce yourself and leave a comment, opinion, or even a link to your own blog.  I enjoy getting know other bloggers!

Be back tomorrow for Fashion Friday!

An Oink & A Prayer

I wasn’t going to do it.  I didn’t want to do it, but I feel like I’ve gotta do it.
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I’m going to talk about the the Swine Flu, H1N1.  Where do they come up with these letter/number combinations?  I like the sounds of Swine Flu better.  This new strain of flu gives us all something to oink about.  Since nuts are now presumably safe to eat and we’re not at risk of killing our kids with a PB&J sandwich, we need something to frighten us.

Maybe it’s because we were raised on thrillers, I don’t know.  I do know that as Americans, we thrive on fear.  We clean our toilets, hands, and dishes with antibacterial soaps.  We buy enough vitamins to grow strong bones and healthy nails.  We wash our vegetables, meats, and hands before eating; however, we still panic at the first sign of diarrhea or mucus.  Are we all a bunch of germaphobes?

The media is consistently giving us a reason to live in fear.  I can run into my home lock my door, tape my windows shut, and strap a gas mask onto my face, but that doesn’t sound like living to me.  I much rather wash my hands, take vitamins, and pray I don’t get sick.  I already got the regular strain of flu once this season and it’s estimated that 36,000 people die of the regular flu every year. 

Does that statistic concern you?  Did you get a flu shot this year?

Probably not.  We don’t even blink at getting the flu unless we’re talking about the elderly, very young, or immune compromised.  So, why are we freaking out?

I’m not suggesting that we go kiss a pig, but should we put our lives on hold for the next month, two, maybe three until this virus runs its’ course?

Please understand that I don’t want to make light of a serious concern and I definitely don’t want to get the flu again, swine, bird, or any other variety.  I pray all the infected people recover quickly and that the virus gets weaker instead of stronger.  I just don’t want to be consumed with the “what-ifs” of life.

I’ve wasted too much of my young life worrying about things that never transpire. 

I try to remind myself of God’s words when he says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

I want to have a sound mind, not one crippled by fear of my health, future, or finances.

What do you think?  How much do you fear this flu?

Praying you stay healthy,

Co-Sleeping with Baby or Beyond

I’ve never considered co-sleeping and it’s all for purely selfish reasons.  It’s bad enough I have to share my space and blankets with FringeMan.  I am a self-proclaimed bed hog and FringeMan will be more than willing to verify that fact.

When I brought my firstborn home from the hospital, I had his crib positioned in my room where I could be sure to hear every whimper and stir.  That lasted for approximately two days.  FringeMan’s snoring kept waking him and I couldn’t sleep because I heard every last whimper and breath he took.  For the sake of my sanity and our family’s health, I quickly moved the crib to his own bedroom. 

I wish I could say he immediately became a good sleeper, but that would be as big a lie as saying I’m a five foot eleven super model.  FringeBoy didn’t once sleep through the night until he was well over one year old.  Maybe it was bad parenting, maybe it was an uncomfortable mattress, or maybe it was just that he was an irritable baby who enjoyed driving his mother crazy.  My money is on that last option.

Anyway, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I brought either of my children to bed with me.  When they were in my bed, I could not sleep a wink.  I need to be comfortable to sleep and that requires space, pretzel like contortions and fluffy pillows.  Nestling a baby in the six inch gutter between Fringeman’s back and myself allowed for none of those comfortable options.

My babies slept in their cribs.

I recently slept with my daughter while staying in a hotel.  She’s a worse bed hog than I am and she’s half my size.  In the wee hours of the morn, I was awakened when her body flopped on top of my chest with a thud.  All the wind was knocked from my lungs and as I gasped, I inhaled a mouth full of hair.  It was 3 am and I was fully awake and watching the clock.  My back was to her as I hugged the edge of the bed.  I couldn’t believe her audacity when she poked me and asked me to move over.

MOVE OVER!  I’d be on the floor if I scooted 1/2 an inch.  Couldn’t do it when they were babies and I still can’t.  Co-sleeping doesn’t work for me.

I know many women who practiced co-sleeping or bringing baby to bed with them.  They loved the closeness during infancy and it made 2 am feedings a cinch; however, many of these same parents have an extremely difficult time kicking baby out of their bed.

Snuggling gets old when your newborn is now six years-old and requires half the bed.  What about several children, mom, dad, and the dog all in the same bed?  How does anyone sleep?

I don’t think they do.  Not well.  Not from my second hand experience.  I know too many parents who suffer from fatigue due to a bed full of big babies.

It is my humblest opinion that everyone, except mom and dad, should be kicked out of the master bedroom, including the cat and dog.  Then flip a deadbolt as quickly as possible, sink into your newly bought feather-bed, and snuggle with your spouse.  I think the guilt will fade by morning and you’ll be able to make it past noon without 6 pots of coffee.

What do you guys think? 

What’s your experience been with or without co-sleeping?

I didn’t even mention the possible health risks for baby.  The jury is out on whether there is an increased risk for SIDS when babies are in parent’s beds.  That’s a whole other topic.

I promised a give-away, so let’s get right to it.  I was supposed to read and write a review for this book; however, I’ve been busy and haven’t gotten around to reading.  I’ll let you read it and tell us what you think. 

The book is Mojo Mom, Nurturing Your Self While Raising a Family, written by Amy Tiemann, Ph.D.  It has been said that through this book, the author “helps thousands of women regain their creative surge that brings their sense of self and their dreams back into focus.”

Sounds good, doesn’t it?  www.mojomom.com

Please let me know in your comment if you’d like to be included in the drawing for this book give-away.  The drawing will take place Wednesday night at 10pm Eastern Standard Time.  You must enter before that time in order to be included.  Winners will be announced Thursday.

Can’t wait to hear your words of wisdom on co-sleeping!

For another interesting parenting post, read Feeding Baby.

The Beach in April

Due to excessive begging by the FringeKid’s, I took a break from raking, sweeping, and cleaning off all the patio chairs in order to go to the beach.  Oh, yes, the beach in New York in April.  Sounds like we’ve got a few screws loose, doesn’t it?

In all fairness, it was at or around 90 degrees yesterday.  We went straight from winter to summer and I don’t doubt we’ll be back to winter in a day or two.  Now while the air may have warmed considerably, the Atlantic Ocean doesn’t warm so quickly; however, the FringeKid’s were born in Maine and are subsequently accustomed to icy waters.

I managed to squirt out the last handful of last year’s bottle of sunscreen and slather most of the kid’s bodies.  I made FringeBoy keep his shirt on because he’s as white as snow and I didn’t want to bring home any sun-fried tomotoes.   After all, this was a beach trip and not a trip to the farmer’s market.

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About 3.8 seconds after settling into my beach chair, a giant spider ran right up the leg of my capri pants. 

GREAT! 

What’s a girl to do?  I jumped, shook, smacked at my leg and made a general spectacle of myself.  Luckily I live in NY and everybody’s used to spectacles.  I fit right in.100_3432

Somewhere there’s a mother out there who is thanking me today.  My kids acted as the most natural form of birth control.  You see there was a young couple standing at the water’s edge getting a little hot and bothered.  The 90 degree temperature had nothing to do with it.  My kids took one look at them and jumped in splashing them down with liquid ice-cubes.

I laughed.  Don’t hold that against me.  I couldn’t help myself.

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Notice FringeBoy’s clenched fists?  It’s a natural reaction to near hypothermia.  My heart would have stopped if I had jumped in.

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FringeMan and I just tanned.  I prayed my pants would heat up enough to fry that spider before he bit me in a less than desirable spot.

What did you do to enjoy the weekend?

Style Writing & Coming Events

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With this pen, I feel as though I could be on The Apprentice.  I’ve been doodling extra smiley faces and hearts all over my kid’s brown lunch bags.  It’s stainless steel, stylish, and refillable.  

People, what more could we want in a fine-tipped permanent marker?

The nice people at Sharpie were kind enough to send me one of these beauties.  They needed a test driver and somehow chose me.  They must’ve seen once of my lunch bag drawings.

I like it.  I use it.  I’d buy it.

Do you think Jeep needs anyone to test their 2009 Patriots?

I wouldn’t mind helping the memory foam people either.   

Shoe companies, are you out there?  Prada, I’ll walk a day in your shoes. 

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No problem! 

I’m going to take a little break from Friday’s Spotlight.  Big Mamma hosts Fashion Friday and I’d like to participate with a few posts.  I know how excited you all must be to hear my fashion advice.  Please, try and contain your excitement until Friday.

Tuesday I’m going to discuss an important topic to moms, especially new moms; however, I’m finding more and more parents struggling with this issue who have school age children. 

The topic: Co-Sleeping. 

Get ready to participate and add your two sense.  Even if you don’t have children or your kids are grown, your opinion is valued.  I’ll also have a little book give-away geared towards new moms.  Pass the word around women!

Ok, that’s all the future planning I can handle.  Incase you haven’t noticed, I don’t do well with schedules.  I’m definitely a ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ kinda girl.  Considering the size of my pants, I could probably make it to Australia.

Hope you’re enjoying some sunshine this weekend!

Pam Allyn’s Book & Journey into the World of Literacy

Today, for Friday’s Spotlight, I am excited to introduce you to a very special guest.  I am privelaged to have Pam Allyn, author of What to Read When, as a guest blogger on the domestic fringe.  Pam’s list of accolades is great.  She is not only an author, but also a public speaker and lecturer dedicated to children’s literacy.

I recently wrote a short book review and gave away a copy of What to Read When.  It is an excellent resource for any parent, grandparent, or children’s educator and if you haven’t read the review, please click HERE. 

Pam Allyn is the Founding Director of Books for Boys, a literacy initiative at the Children’s Village.  Children’s Village is a residential treatment center and school for at risk boys in New York.  Coincidentally, I spent a very interesting summer working at Children’s Village while in college, but those are stories for another day.

Please read on as Pam takes us on a short journey of What to Read When.  Then go visit her at her website, read a little about her literacy programs, and tell her I sent you.  If you’d like to order What to Read When, a link is available on the first page of her website.

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What to Read When: The Journey

Several weeks ago, a mother called me to ask for a book suggestion for her little daughter, who had just started a new school, in order to begin a discussion about the changes taking place in her daughter’s life. When we leave the hospital with our baby or greet the plane that brings us our adopted baby, no one gives us a course on what to read when to our precious children but we wish we had one as they grow. We all want to do what is best for our children. We pray the world will be tender and kind to them on their journeys. Literature gives us a way to create bridges to us for our children, to help us guide them and offer them comfort and love and joy along all these journeys.

I wanted to offer a way for parents, grandparents, teachers and all caregivers to easily find the kinds of books that serve as those markers. I began to write the book I have been writing in my mind for years, What to Read When. And as I began writing and sharing the title with people, I noticed something amazing happened: people so want to read with and to children because anyone who has ever done so knows how much it truly matters to that child. The excitement was huge and everyone loved sharing their favorite titles. This book then is a love letter to all the contributors, children, parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians and all friends of children who care so much. I hope you will enjoy it too!

As a literacy educator and director of a national organization for teacher training and a nonprofit organization for global literacy called LitWorld, I am dedicated to working towards a world that is full of children who read and write.. Through teacher and family education, I strive to empower children to read and write powerfully, effectively and with passion and delight, so that they may grow up able to fulfill their dreams and leave their positive imprint on the world.

In What to Read When I have created a simple acronym to help us all become part of this movement to foster literacy for all children. The acronym is, fittingly, READ, which stands for: RITUALS ENVIRONMENT ACCESS and DIALOGUE.

Let us establish rituals of reading aloud together in our homes. Find time to read to your children that are not just at bedtime (when everyone is truly tired!). Bring those rituals to your car trips, to outings to the park, to dinnertime. Put a basket of books in the kitchen and let your child know that while that soup simmers on the stove, you will take a moment to read a funny poem about food. Environmental support for literacy can be an attention to the simple touches. Set up an environment that makes reading together feel fun and comfortable. Find a special pillow for your couch that you always lean on when reading aloud together. Pull out your favorite board books and read them to your child while he splashes in the tub. Access is about being sure our children are in close proximity to books always. Visit your library together, browse online too! In addition, don’t put books in high bookshelves. Put them low to the ground where even an adventurous toddler can easily reach them. Finally, dialogue is so important to developing your child’s reading life. By talking about, laughing about, dreaming about and simply loving great books, you become a “reading role model” for your child. Also, it is just plain fun and a great way to get to know all the truly interesting things on your child’s mind.

The power of the read aloud is transformative. Through the simple act of reading aloud, we can convey values, ideas and passions to our children. Best of all, we can hear about theirs. I invite you to join me in this great journey and share with me some of your favorite read alouds too!

Visit my website at whattoreadwhen.com and share titles you love too.

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Many thanks Pam.

Hangman

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Recently the whole FringeFamily was in the car and my son attempted to play hangman with my daughter.  Slightly dazed and confused, my daughter wasn’t getting the concept of just guessing letters – any letters.

Impatiently FringeBoy prodded, telling her to “Just pick random letters!”

With all seriousness and bit of disappointment, my daughter looked at my son and said “I haven’t learned those letters yet.”

* Coming Soon *

The Random Alphabet according to FringeKid

 

Incase you’re upset thinking I forgot about Earth Day, please know that I have a plastic reusable grocery bag full of Diet Coke cans waiting to go back to the store for recycling.  Don’t forget I’ve made a commitment to be green in 2009!