Momniscient Musings Blog

A Parent’s Homework Survival Guide

Now that school is in full swing, homework is, too, and lots of it! My kids are buried in mounds of books and seemingly endless assignments. So, what can we, as parents, do to help them from becoming overwhelmed?  Here are a few tips that have helped me out immensely since I have long since forgotten quadratic equations and my periodic tables.

      *Carve Out An Established Homework Time

This will help your child get into a routine, where homework becomes second nature in their schedule. It will also provide them with an expectation about what they should be doing before they update their MySpace page or talk on the phone     

      *Set Aside A Designated Homework Area

It should be a quiet, well-lit, spot with as few distractions as possible. If there is no TV or Wii beckoning your child, they will be more likely to stay focused

      *Get Involved

This does not mean that you do the homework for them. By simply taking a few minutes to review their nightly homework assignments, it will help you stay on top of what your child is learning and how well you think they have a grasp of the subject matter. This way, you can offer help where they are struggling and head off a potential problem before report cards are issued

      *Utilize Technology

There is a wealth of information on the Internet and with software programs.

Gone are the days where we had to trudge to the library and fumble with hefty Encyclopedias. Now, access to unlimited topics is a keypad away and will help your child with gathering information for speeches to science fair projects. I recommend a learning tool called the “LeapPad” Learning system for pre-K through -3^rd grade which helps with the younger kids. For your junior high and high school kids, I recommend Microsoft Student, which can be downloaded at Microsoft.com/student. It offers a collection of homework tools and information to help students with math, science, foreign languages, social studies and language arts. My daughter particularly likes the organizational and presentation tools it provides. As a parent, I like the fact that it utilizes Encarta online encyclopedia as a source for information. It is a reliable, trusted source, where I am certain the information she is using is real and not fabricated. (Anyone can post anything on the internet…I can post to a website that the sky is green, but that doesn’t mean that it is true!) With Microsoft Student, I can rest assured that she has everything she needs to help with each of her subjects. This product couldn’t have come soon enough. I just wish that it had been around when I was in high school!

“You Rang?”

My son, Zachary, turned nine this week and his favorite gift he received was a Kajeet phone. His Pokemon cards and Game Boy took a backseat to his new, electric blue cell phone. “What would a nine year-old need with a cell phone?” you ask. Well, since we disconnected our landline a few years back, due to a litany of telephone solicitors, he is now at the age where he wants to call friends and relatives and my phone is not always at his disposal.

He was like a kid in a candy store. “Look at the stickers it comes with!” he exclaimed. “Can I download my special ring tone?” he begged. “No, way! It has a camera!” he exclaimed and ran off to track down our pets for an impromptu photo shoot. As my teenage daughter Jessica looked on, green with envy, she stated with a raised eyebrow,

“I was not allowed to have a phone until I was in middle school. What’s with the double standard?” I calmly explained that Kajeet phones were not available when she was Zach’s age. “What’s the difference between my phone and a Kajeet phone?” she whined. “The biggest difference is the parental control of blocked numbers and the ability to pay as you go by purchasing blocks of time. This way, if he decides to call China or eat up his minutes with instant messaging, I am not looking at a phone bill that resembles my mortgage payment!” I answered her and she still did not look satisfied. “The youngest child always gets special treatment!” she said retreating while shaking her head in disbelief.

So, the moral of my story is, if you are looking to get a cool phone for your tween, without the worry and aggravation of a normal cell phone, Kajeet is the ideal choice.

Just beware of envious older siblings…you might want to buy a few! Check it out for yourself at www.Kajeet.com

Are you a parent of a special needs child?

If you, or a parent you know, are currently caring for an individual with a disability, then a website is currently being created with the caregiver in mind. A new company called Tetsuda is launching as a website that will provide information, assistance and care for the caregiver, but they need your help!

Currently, they are conducting a brief survey to make this the best website it can possibly be. Take a few minutes to fill out their survey, and help them help you! Visit www.Tetsuda.com

Behind The Scenes At The Today Show

Friday was the second time that I had been on The Today Show, but the first time that I was in the studio to do the segment. Back in July, when I was on the show they had filmed at my home, via satellite.

At the crack of dawn, I was greeted by a camera crew and had to force myself to look wide-awake even though I had only slept an hour the night before. The kids’ infant years had trained me well for such a task. This time, I was flown to NBC studios in New York and treated to the total experience. Friends and relatives have asked me, “What goes on behind the scenes?” So, to answer those inquiring minds, here’s the low-down.

I was called by a producer at The Today Show at 2:30pm on Thursday and asked if I could catch a flight right away. Being a girl who loves spontaneity (and of course, doesn’t mind the limelight either) I jumped at the opportunity. When I went to go pack, instead of it being a methodical choice about what I need to bring, I was throwing things in my suitcase at a frantic pace. My mind raced…“What looks good on camera? What is clean? What still fits?” That was about all the time I had to reflect on what to bring because I would need to get through rush hour traffic to make it to the airport with ample time to make it through security for my full body cavity search. My heart rate finally got back to normal as the flight crew sealed the doors for departure. On the flight, I made notes about points I would try to make during the debate with the other guest. (Knowing full well that even though I have responses crafted to things they may ask, most of what I had prepared to say will be next to impossible to retrieve once the camera is rolling.) I arrived at JFK airport at 9:00pm and as I was coming down the escalator to baggage claim (with my fingers crossed, praying that my luggage had also arrived or I would be forced to wear the summer dress I had been wearing for the past thirteen hours…which, was now laden with peanuts and cracker crumbs) I spotted a limo driver holding a sign with my name displayed. I brushed off my dirty dress and said, “That’s me!” Talk about feeling like a rock star. Okay, maybe not a rock star because their was no entourage or cheering fans, but to this stay-at-home Mom, it was pretty exciting. He whisked me away to my hotel, which was located a block or so from Rockefeller Plaza.

Daylight came too fast and although I was hoping that I would get a full night sleep before the show, again, my adrenaline rush had me tossing and turning. That, coupled with the fact that they had asked me to arrive at the studio without make-up, because they would have a professional doing that for me. I kept having the vision that I would arrive at the studio without a trace of color on my face and would find out that my segment was moved up and they would be dragging me onto the set kicking and screaming because make-up is my friend and constant companion. However, when I arrived at 7:00am, and made my way through the crowd who was gathered to hear Martina McBride play in the Friday Concert series, there were no last minute schedule changes.  They escorted me to the “Green Room” (which consequently isn’t green) and there were a few other guests gathered who were also going to be on the show. They had a huge spread of goodies, but my stomach warned me to stay away from food. Yes, I must have been nervous if I declined to eat doughnuts and croissants. Al Roker strolled into the room and grabbed some coffee and said hello. He is just as jovial and friendly in person as he is on the show. Actually, come to think about it, everybody I met couldn’t have been more genuine and charismatic; from the producers to the interns. The time flew by and before I knew it, they had me up in make-up to apply the “spackle” I so desperately needed. Minutes before the segment, Ann Curry, myself, and the gentleman I would be debating on the topic all gathered to introduce ourselves. Although I have done live television before, I always get butterflies as they are weaving the microphone under my blazer and the cameras are jockeying into position. The four- minute segment felt more like forty seconds. It was over in a flash. Ann was a great moderator, although many were miffed that she seemed to not stay neutral in the debate and agree with more of what I had to say…could you blame the woman?

After the segment I was wiped. It could have been from the mental sparing or it could have been that my three hours of sleep were catching up to me. I returned to the hotel and fielded calls and e-mails from family and friends. (You know I was tired if I gave up shopping on 5^th Avenue in exchange for trying to catch up on sleep.) The driver was back to take me to the airport and after many hours of travel, I was back in Orlando.

I loved the experience. It was fast-paced; excitement filled and my only regret was that my family couldn’t be there with me!

They're Back!

If you listen closely, you can hear moms across the country breath a collective sigh of relief… The kids are back in school!

As much as we love our children, and have fun spending quality time together at the park, the beach, the library, the movies, bowling and putt-putt golf, some of us are more than ready to reclaim a few hours of time for ourselves. There are days over the summer where I feel like a one- woman social director on a cruise ship, whose job it is to provide non-stop entertainment. (Other days I feel like I should be wearing a red, rubber nose and giant clown shoes and rent myself out for birthday parties.) By the end of the summer, I’m ready to take a mini vacation to recuperate from the rigorous “playtime” spent over the previous two and a half months.

It’s not just stay-at-home moms who are glad to see the school year roll around. My friends with careers have their own set of challenges about their kids and summer vacation. “I could have practically paid for college for my daughter rather than sending my son to camp all summer.” I hear them lament over the high price of camps and daycare.

The education administrators, who are trying unsuccessfully to convince the public about year-round school, are going about it all wrong. Instead of extolling the virtues of “ the continuity of learning” and the “power of retention”, all they really need to do is time the vote strategically. If they took a vote for year-round school on the last day of summer vacation, it would pass with flying colors.

Until then, however, I’m going to sit back and say a small prayer that our kids are back in school to learn about the three R’s. Meanwhile, I’ll be practicing my three R’s: Relaxing, Recharging and Reclaiming some time for me.

Entertaining For The Domestically Challenged 8/8/07

If my cooking prowess had to be summed up into a bumper sticker, mine would read: “I don’t make dinner, I make reservations.” Although I would consider myself a fairly accomplished woman, cooking is not a skill that would even be mentioned in the top ten list of things I do well. This presents somewhat of a quandary for me, because as much as I detest cooking, I love to entertain. How, may you ask, can the two coexist under the same roof? Hint…a little pre-planning and a lot of frozen food is involved.

Entertaining is a like an elaborate magic show. If there is music, decorations and ample libations (this is the equivalent to the smoke and mirrors used by magicians to distract the audience from their slight of hand) then, your guests will have a blast and leave happy, never realizing that the food preparation received very little of your attention.

It is easy to entertain when you choose a theme for your party. Whether it’s a summer Luau for seventy or an Italian dinner for eight, having a theme will provide you with some direction. You must create the tone of your party from the onset. The invitations you select let your guests know what is in store for them. Having a Mexican Fiesta? Send a small bottle of Tabasco attached with twine to your invite. Having a Japanese dinner? Get a small take-out box and fill it with several candles shaped like Sushi. You get the idea. Showing that you intend to have fun is paramount.

Depending on the theme you select, you have the opportunity to develop the ambiance with music and decorations. Having a Cuban dinner? Get a hot, salsa CD, dress the table in placemats of bold orange and lime or perhaps hire someone to roll handmade cigars. Having a Middle Eastern dinner? Make sure to have lots of colored pillows strewn across the floor and perhaps a belly dancer could make an appearance? If hiring entertainment is out of your budget, don’t fret. It’s amazing what the right music, a few paper lanterns and well-placed flower arrangements are able to do to transform your living room into an oasis.

As for the food, there is an extensive variety of frozen food at your fingertips in your local grocery store. Don’t feel like you are obligated to make everything from scratch. Mix a few homemade items that you can make the night before, with several frozen dishes or dishes prepared by a gourmet shop and “Voila”…you heat and serve and there is your party.

Although I have alluded to the role that alcohol plays to enhance the mood of your guests, it is not a necessity. If you have “virgin” Mojitos or Shirley Temples, most of the time your friends are just happy that they had an excuse to get out of the house to play. So, stop stressing about the fact that you are not a chef. Don’t let a little thing like not being able to cook stand in your way of having a good time!

Where’s The Time For Me?

So many of my friends who are Moms seem to be lamenting over this particular question. Time seems to evaporate during the day. Between work; seemingly endless loads of laundry; trips to the dry cleaners; grocery shopping; car pool runs; cooking dinner and assisting with homework there seems to be no time left for good ‘ol Mom. Time is a commodity more valuable than gold. So, how do we get some for ourselves?

Nike had it right when they said, “Just Do It.” Just as you would schedule any other errand or responsibility, you have to schedule time for yourself. Setting aside time for you is not selfish; it is self-preservation. It is essential to your well- being and, in turn, fosters the positive growth of your family. When you are recharged and reenergized, you are better equipped to be a nurturing Mom and spouse. You’ve heard of trickle down economics? Well, this is trickle down family dynamics.

So, drop the guilt and allow yourself a minimum of twenty minutes a day to do something for you and only you. I know what you are thinking, “Twenty minutes? I can’t seem to have five minutes to go to the bathroom without children or pets pawing at the door!” The funny thing is, when you schedule the time, just as you would a doctor’s appointment or a teacher’s conference, it becomes a priority and you shift your other items in order to accommodate the additional “Me-Time.” In your calendar, block off twenty minutes for a  walk, a relaxing bubble bath; reading a mystery novel; making yourself a Momosa (my version of the traditional Mimosa) ; doing yoga…whatever it is that will help you unwind and reconnect with your inner spirit.

“Beginners” should shoot for twenty minutes per day. Then, when you become better at me-time management, you can expand the blocks of time to an hour. For the very adept, these hour blocks can occasionally grow to include Mom’s Night Out with girlfriends or a weekend escape.

Moms, the time has come to make sure you land somewhere near the top of our own “To-Do” list!

Images: Getty Images

Bridging Make Believe With The Real World

Mattel’s new “We Believe In Girls” campaign is brilliant. Leave it to Barbie, our most beloved childhood friend, to be a pioneer for empowering this generation of young girls. It shouldn’t surprise me. Besides our parents, Barbie was one of the first to tell us we could be anything we wanted to be when we grew up. Oh, how I remember Barbie as a doctor and as an airline pilot. She was helping to break down the glass ceiling well before she         was even unwrapped from her cellophane box. 

Now, Mattel delivers an inspiring message about every girl’s potential to change the world at www.WeBelieveInGirls.com. In a time when young girls are faced with so much peer pressur surrounding drugs, drinking and sex, it’s nice to know there are some positive influences to help combat the struggles our young girls have to deal with on a daily basis. This message is essential for our kids to hear. As parents, our daughters need to hear it from us, but it  certainly helps to have other members of our community reinforcing the belief!

Image: We Believe in Girls

Rachel Hamman Enters the Blogosphere!

Rachel Hamman is not your ordinary soccer mom. She has been named one of the   “Most Remarkable Women” on The View and has been featured as an expert on the Today Show, sharing her sage advice with millions of Moms. Rachel has been highlighted in Glamour magazine for her philanthropic advances and was recognized for her ongoing community endeavors as one of the “Eckerd 100 Outstanding National Volunteers.” Her versatile background has made her a go- to Mom expert, where she has been quoted in publications running the gamut from The Wall Street Journal to American Baby Magazine. In the spring of 2007 Rachel founded National Mom’s Night Out, an extremely successful campaign, to encourage Moms to take time off from the kids and celebrate who they are besides being a Mom. Rachel is the author of     Bye-Bye Boardroom: Confessions from a New Breed of Stay-at-Home Moms   and is currently working on her next book Mom's Night Out: Even Inmates Get Time Off for Good Behavior.

Armed with a B.S. degree in communications from Florida State University, she embarked on a career filled with a myriad of experiences. Rachel’s initial position was as a program coordinator for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. It was here that her passion for helping others was cultivated. She then worked as a field marketing manager for consumer goods giant, E. & J. Gallo Winery. Rachel was in charge of recruiting, training, and marketing for five Gallo distributors in the state of Florida. From the world of wine, she moved to the financial services arena, where she was an assistant vice president with Merrill Lynch in the Private Client Group. She managed investment portfolios for corporations and affluent individuals with combined assets totaling more than $250 million and helped her clients successfully reach their financial goals. While achieving a burgeoning bank account, Rachel felt something was missing in her life. Recognizing the profound impact her non-profit experience had provided and lessons it had taught her, she co-founded The Golden Rule Foundation, a children’s charity dedicated to inspiring children to give to others. She spearheaded a movement that provided elementary school children with hands-on community service projects so they could realize the pivotal role they are capable of playing in our society. She spent the next five years at the helm of The Golden Rule Foundation as the executive director.