Flashlights are natural kids’ toys. I’ve never known a child not to be fascinated with the power of shining a spot on the wall. You can buy any number of character-branded ones, but I’ve found that plain but colorful 6″ AA plastic lights are just as attractive to kids. Here are a few activity ideas: […]
Since I mentioned cooking yesterday, here’s a recipe for Cardamon-Almond Biscotti. It’s based on the “Classic Biscotti” recipe from Joy of Cooking, but with quite a few flavor tweaks. I was inspired both by Shuna Fish Lydon’s Cardamon Chocolate Chunk Cookies (though I make no claims to her mastery of pastry) and by the great
The venerable paper had a number of articles of interest yesterday: “With One Word, Children’s Book Sets Off Uproar“: This year’s Newbery Medal-winning book, The Higher Power of Lucky, contains the word “scrotum” in it. It’s in reference to a dog who gets bitten on that rather tender piece of his anatomy, but some parents
The New York Times ran an article on Valentine’s Day about couples where one member is the predominant— and dominating—cook in the household. The story focuses on straight couples, but it made me laugh with recognition. I freely admit to being the “alpha chef” around our house. I think it’s less because of any hidden
Passing along this call for essays. Thought some of my readers might want to approach this from the perspective of a lesbian mom. VISIBLE: A FEMMETHOLOGY an anthology of writing on queer femme identity Editor: Maria Angeline Publisher: Merge Press Submissions Deadline: March 15, 2007 Anticipated Publication Date: Spring 2008 Femmes are still invisible. Society
A couple of breast-related news items caught my eye this week: A study led by a Harvard Medical School researcher found that women who had spent at least two years breastfeeding were 19 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack than those who hadn’t breastfed at all. Results were independent of any of the
I’ve just added the 400th link to the Mombian Resource Directory for LGBT Parents, and thought that was worth a minor celebration. Topics in the Directory include starting a family, raising children (both LGBT-specific sites and general, but LGBT-friendly, sites), LGBT politics and law, online and offline groups and forums for LGBT parents, and much
Parenting as excuse, aggravation, interference, curse, and finally blessing. This episode has it all. In the opening scene, Shane tries to get out of the launch of her Hugo Boss underwear campaign by saying “Well, I don’t know if I can get a babysitter in time.” She ends up going, however, and leaving kid-brother Shay
It seems like I’m perpetually running late for my son’s playgroups, music classes, and doctor’s appointments. Winter is the worst time for this. I always find myself torn between not being late and taking the time to let him learn to put on his own shoes, jacket, and mittens. He can sometimes get his jacket
Sobering news for an otherwise festive holiday: The majority of cut roses sold in the U. S. were grown in Columbia, using harsh pesticides, according to the Associated Press. Industry workers, many of whom are single mothers, labor under often unsafe levels of chemicals, and many have become sick as a result. The AP also
