The Mannered Mom
December 22, 2008
I'm more frequently asked by people how they should deal with other people's kids while traveling than I am asked for tips on how people should manage their own kids. This leads me to believe that other people's kids are the real problem here, as seems to be the case with most things. I'm not an expert on other people's kids but can provide my own "how to's" for managing or avoiding the most common kid travel mistakes:[…]
December 15, 2008
'Tis the season for entertaining and travel and so it's a great time to refresh the fundamentals of being a good houseguest, nearly none of which apply if you're crashing with family (Sorry, grandparents!). But for others who may be hosting you and, more importantly, your kids, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Having recently experienced a painful, seemingly never-ending weekend hosting a family of guests, I offer up these tips from first-hand experience.[…]
December 2, 2008
With the holiday season upon us, many of us are gearing up for an exciting period of entertaining and hosting overnight guests. While we know in the back of our busy minds that our guests are there to see us - not the state of our kitchen floor - we still obsess over the details and ultimately forget the pleasure we find in these seasonal gatherings. Here's my attempt at making Emily Post, and my grandmother, proud with my own modern take on readying for the crowds.[…]
November 13, 2008
As the mother of two young children and recipient of many odd, duplicate, or "way too cute" gifts, I have become a "regifter". There, I've said it. Whether regifting is your answer to a penny-pinched shopping season, you're a chronic regifter, or if you truly believe some one else will covet the copper pumpkin potpourri holder you received last year - here are some tips for removing the "tacky" taboo from this timeless holiday tradition.[…]
October 8, 2008
Video games are everywhere. You'd think with all of this distraction and hype that parents would want to learn more about what was going on in these virtual worlds consuming their kids, but alas, it seems to have the opposite effect. Increasingly parents trust their kids to make appropriate gaming choices and find a comfort in the moments of silence these video games afford them. I, however, refuse to be left in the cyberdust of my tech-savvy kids. Through my work in the toy industry and research[…]
October 1, 2008
It's back to school time and families everywhere are getting back into the swing of managing busy schedules and commuting needs. As you embark on your carpooling duties - or prepare your child to be a good passenger - there are some things you can keep in mind to keep things on time and at ease.[…]
