Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Vacation

Today I went on vacation. And yesterday I did too. I live on vacation, actually. What? You don’t? You should! It’s pretty simple really and doesn’t cost anything.

It all started a few years ago when I was recovering from experiencing hurricane Katrina. Everyday turned out to be yet another fight with my government and FEMA and phone calls to my insurance company, hoops to jump though and more and more faxes and papers and files and a job no one should have to do to get half the money they need that they paid their taxes and premiums to get and learn they wasted their time. And in those darkest days I would look at the magazines I ordered before my life became this, back when electricity was a given and water was just there. Back when I got pedicures and lived in a secure world where I was okay and life was orderly and sane. Those stupid magazines just kept coming, month after month, like I was still that person, like still lived that life, like I had the time or the peace to care or sit and read them. Like life would ever be the same again.

And then one day in my misery, I decided I needed a vacation. Not the one Katrina gave me, a good one. A nice one. A vacation where I could smile. With no money to my name and gas prices higher than the Sears tower I knew that leaving town wouldn’t come soon. And I looked at those magazines and knew if I could just get a vacation I would read them and enjoy them. So I took my vacation. I got the kids busy. I dug out the candles that gave me light after Katrina, I ran the bath with hot water I didn’t have for a while after that storm and closed a door to a room where only weeks before the ceiling sat on the floor. And I locked the door. I sank into the tub, opened my magazine and took my vacation. When my cup of tea was cold, my water cool and my magazine wet, when the kids pounded on the door, I knew the plane had landed and I was home. I packed my bags, my towel, candles, magazine and went home. I greeted my family and with a new sense of gratitude I went back to work.

But the next day I was back to stressed out and sad and had to go to the store. As I passed the greeting cards I remembered how I used to love reading them even if I didn’t need to buy one. So today I took a vacation. I told the kids not to talk to me for a few minutes, that I had to read something. And they were quiet as I read card after card. I could do this, I thought, write greeting cards. I laughed and thought of different family members who would love this card or that one. And on the way home I called family and friends and just said hi. What a great vacation!

I found myself going to bed tonight wondering what vacation I might take tomorrow. The canoe is still out. I might sit in it, outside on the ground while the kids play in the yard, and read a book. What a strange feeling to sit in a canoe on the ground and read. I’ll bet that will be fun and strange. Or maybe we could sit on the kitchen table and play a game of cards, yes sit ON the kitchen table.

But what if you don’t have time to stop for 30 minutes to take a vacation? I keep a nail file in my car. When I come to a particularly long light, I pull out my nail file. And I put the parking brake on and I relax and file my nails. I imagine I’m at home, by fire or by a pool, and I just take my time and file away, admiring my nails and my hands. When vacation’s over I have adjusted my attitude and I drive differently. I breathe slower and hear the kids’ laughter more clearly. Of course their fighting I decide to tune out.

Sometimes I have to cook dinner and I just don’t feel like it. So I take a vacation instead. On those days I pour a glass of wine, turn on the radio and put on an apron. Instead of just forcing myself to rattle pots and pans, I decide to be in it. I make the atmosphere and really get in it. I dance to the fridge, I stir in beat, I really taste each sip of the wine when I stop to taste it. My kids think I’m funny, my husband comes home with a smile on his face as he has to catch me to kiss me and everyone comments on how good dinner smells. By the time dinner is ready, I’m wishing I wasn’t finished cooking it. But then it’s followed by sitting with my family and watching their faces as they recount light saber battles or a funny joke with a friend. What a great vacation!

Tonight I have to wash hair, and beg others to please wash theirs. I have to vacuum the bedroom before hubby settles in. Why do I always end up late and still not finished with what I needed to do? Well, it must be time for a vacation! So I tell my son it’s time to go swimming in the tub. We put on our swim suits and in we go! Body and hair gets washed and the bathroom gets wet, toys float and we break out the water color tablets. We make red which becomes purple which eventually looks like some morbid dark soup. Time to pack our things and go inside. We leave the bathroom and enter our “hotel room”, the room that has been newly vacuumed. I read him a story and watch him sleep, what a great vacation!

I don’t know when I’ll really go on a plane to another destination but I know that when I do it will be because of lots of planning and errands and packing and such. And that’s what’s so great about my daily vacations, no planning necessary, no packing and no stress. And when they’re over, no suitcase to unpack. Just memories and good times that I know will become the things I remember most when I look back on these “hard times”.


When she's not in the mountains or climbing rocks, Teresa Bondora can be found in Acworth, GA where she writes and supports other parents in teaching science and staying healthy and teaches rock climbing at her local gym. Teresa also appears a guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Visit her anytime at www.HowToTeachScience.com

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

To Give is Better than to Receive – Eco-friendly Children’s Birthday Party Ideas

In this new age of social responsibility and environmental concern, parents are looking for easy and fun ways to teach their children about the necessity of giving back to those in need & cleaning up the environment. However, this has also become a time of extravagant birthday party celebrations for young children with inflatable jumping machines, balloon arches, disposable party utensils and lots of unnecessary gifts; none of which seem to teach our children about social issues or the environment. So, what can we as “green” parents do? There are several different ways to incorporate giving back to others and environmentally friendly ideas to create a fun and exciting Birthday celebration.

1. Invitations
Create recycled invitations from scraps of left-over paper, art supplies and items around the house that fit in with the theme of your party. There are recycled paper invitations, “tree-free” paper invitations, as well as seeded invitations, that, when planted, will grow into a flower garden. You can also send
electronic invitations which cut down on paper and cost.

2. Location
Let your child choose the location based on their interests. Farms, parks, fire stations, zoos, museums, and animal shelters all make wonderful “natural” backdrops for a party and won’t require much additional decoration. In addition, the children (and adults) can learn about ways to help these local organizations, take care of plants and animals and enjoy nature.

3. Décor
Latex balloons, plastic utensils and paper napkins are a natural parent’s worst nightmare! Opt for some more earth-friendly items such as paper lanterns, non-disposable utensils, cloth napkins and table cloths and flowers or plants as centerpieces.

4. Cake or Dessert
Make your own vegan or organic cake or cupcakes. This provides you with an opportunity to teach your child about the importance of healthy & organic products, as well as allowing them to participate in the creation of a dessert that will be enjoyed by all of their guests.

5. Party Favors
The typical plastic goody bags filled with candy and useless toys can easily be replaced by earth-friendly items such as unique rocks, flower or vegetable seeds and planting materials. Home-made baked goods or art projects are always a thoughtful parting gift as well.

6. Gifts
This is where things can get a bit tricky – most children enjoy and look forward to receiving gifts during their Birthday celebration . Before you begin planning the party, you should re-evaluate what a birthday party means for you and your child. If a discussion occurs early in the process and clarifies the expectations for the party and the gifts, children will be excited about the good things that will be created from their very special party. The key is to combine your social and environmental values with a theme that your child will embrace and enjoy. Along with the theme, choose a charity or organization that will benefit from monetary or product donations. Take a tour of the shelter, charity or organization that your child has chosen or, if the charity is not local, view their website to help your child form an emotional connection with that particular group.

If this type of involved planning really isn’t your thing, there are companies out there that will do it all for you. One such company is Inspired Birthdays. They offer 5 different themed parties focusing on anything from wild animals, to healthy living, to volunteering & they have several different planning packages depending on how much help you need. Each them is partnered with a charity and parents can choose from different donation options for their guests. They can bring everything you need or just the entertainment – you decide!

These party planning options are easy, fun and can be enjoyed fully by the guests, the birthday child and parents alike. They keys to raising socially and environmentally responsible children are to educate them on about giving back and showing them how much fun it can be. A Birthday party is an experience that children look forward to and remember. Why not tie in some simple but meaningful themes and ideas that will change your children and their outlook on the world for the better?

Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog, and other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Shea Butter, A Natural Skin Care Ingredient Used in bluebasins bath & body’s Products

The skin care industry has changed more in the past ten years than it has in the past 20. With the ever-increasing popularity of natural skin care products, Shea Butter as an ingredient is fast becoming known as a great skin moisturizer. Predominantly known for skin care in the natural product and ingredient communities, Shea butter is hailed for its protecting and emollient properties as well as its softening and conditioning capabilities for the skin. Extracted from the Shea nut of the Shea tree in Africa where it has been used for generations, this butter has a yellow colour and has a rich, creamy nut aroma. bluebasins bath & body is a new online all natural skin care product company which uses 100% Shea butter in a variety of their products which can be found at http://www.bluebasins.com.

Shea Butter is used in a large majority of natural skin care products such as Shea butter body butters, soaps, lotions/creams, lip balms and shaving creams. Rich in cinnamon acid, it also protects the skin from UV rays and therefore can be included in skin care products for the sun. It can also be used as massage butter and as a treatment for minor skin wounds and irritations.

Other benefits of Shea butter include the fading of scars, eczema, burns, rashes, acne, severely dry skin, dark spots, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretch marks, wrinkles and psoriasis as it absorbs rapidly into the skin without feeling greasy. Because Shea butter contains vitamins A, E and F, it is great for year round use however using it in the winter is a great aid for dry skin.

Natural skin care products are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for consumers. Whether you are looking for information on natural body care products or want to purchase natural bath and body products, http://www.bluebasins.com is a logical first step.

About bluebasins.com
At bluebasins bath & body, we create 100% natural, bath and body products. Our products are created using the best herbs, flowers, extracts, essential oils, exotic nut oils and butters. Special attention is paid to the details whereby all of our products are created from scratch and hand made in small quantities, therefore maintaining a high standard. Pride is taken in knowing all of the ingredients in our products.

Makeda Paul is the owner of bluebasins bath & body, Canada's premier line of all natural skin care products. An Aromatologist by trade, she developed all of bluebasins’ products using only the best ingredients suited for your skin and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Her products take care of you and your baby's skin the way nature intended, naturally. Begin now with bluebasins bath & body at www.bluebasins.com

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Disney Princess Party Ideas

The Disney Princesses are arguably the most recognizable princesses on the planet. Every little girl dreams of being a Disney Princess and what better time to become one than on her birthday? With so many Disney Princess party supplies available, it can be overwhelming planning a party. Here are some ideas to help you plan the perfect Disney Princess Birthday Party.

Princess Invitations
Invitations are hard to come by. They can be found in most party supplies or discount stores. However if you are looking for something unique, you are only limited to your imagination. For those limited on time or creativity, here are a few suggestions.

If you are on a limited budget, try finding Disney Princess clip art on the and printing your own made party invitations. Disney Princess clip art is readily available online. You can keep it simple by adding the graphic to the top and adding the details below. Its a no fold invitation. Tip: Make the invitations the size of a readily available envelope so that mailing them will be a snap.
If you have a bit more time and don't mind a little crafting, try something a little more out of the box. The Disney Princesses are most recognizable by the gowns they wear. Create a variety of invitations each focusing on one princess. On each invitation you can place one princess in her well known gown. Embellish the gown by making it 2D. Cut colored foam or fabric into the shape of the gown. Glue accordingly to the clip art. Embellish the invitation with fairy dust powder or glitter to us modern folk. Search online for Disney princess fonts and word your invitation using the official font of the princesses.

Princess Decorating Tips
A Disney Princess royal affair needs to have the royal venue. Jazzing up your party space to be princess perfect can be easy as you want to as elaborate as the princess may demand. Using pinks and purples are the common colors for any princess, but if you have a specific Disney Princess in mind, using the color of their gown is your best option.

A princess throne is a must. A simple and affordable throne are in your reach. Use a standard dining chair and wrap tulle on the back of the chair and tie a big bow. Measure the circumference of the chair's seat and multiple by 3 to 4. That is the width of tulle you will need for the seat portion of the thrown. Use fabric glue and pleat the top of the tulle. Allow ample time to dry. Place books or something heavy on the tulle to keep the pleat together while drying. Wrap the tulle round the seat of the chair and glue the ends together. Do not glue to the chair. Use pins to keep together at its end to allow the fabric glue to dry. The chair should have a pleated look and the tulle should reach the floor. You can also make shorter versions of the pleated tulle and than layer one on top of the other going from the bottom of the chair up. You can embellish the tulle with glitter or sequins. Do this a few days before the party.

Whether you decorate a chair or use a Disney Princess plush chair that doesn't complete the thrown just yet. All thrown need a red carpet that leads up to it. You can accomplish this by using red construction paper or a red mat and lead it up to the chair. You can even add a tulle canopy above the chair for some extra flair.

Disney Princess scene setters are are fast and inexpensive way to transform your party space into a Disney Princess ballroom. There are also life size Disney Princess Stick ups to go with the ballroom scene setters. You can choose one or all the princesses to adorn your wall. The princess scene setters work well as wall decor and a backdrop for photos. It is an easy alternative to making a castle from cardboard and is fairly inexpensive. Its also just a matter of adhering to your wall.

Princess Party Games
There are lots of Disney Princess games that you can choose to entertain your guests.

Pass the Poison Apple - a Snow White version of hot potato

Find the Key - Cinderella is locked in the attic, find the key and set her free

Mermaid Charades - Ariel has lost her voice to Ursula. Think up popular themes or scenes from the movie and act them out.

Guess The Disney Princess Movie - Sing or play a song from the movies and have the guests guess which movie it comes from

Dress Up - While this used to be for just girls, you can now find Disney Princess dresses and Knights attire for the boys. You can also turn this game into save the princesses or for the boys, fight the dragon. The dragon is imaginary of course.

Disney Princess parties are fun and classic. Its becoming a rite of passage for every little girl to have a Disney Princess party within her lifetime. Embrace her royal spirit and create the most magical and enchanting party that she and her guests are sure to enjoy.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Cynthia Marcano is a stay at home mom of two. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In her spare time, she enjoys running her princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

DVD Review: Water Horse, Legend of the Deep

Critics Rating (According to movies.yahoo.com): B-
My Rating: A+

The first thing I want to say about this movie is that the scenery was beautiful. The movie is set in Scotland during WWII, I don’t know if it was actually filmed in Scotland but the scenery was gorgeous.

A brief synopsis: The movie centers around a young boy named Angus, who seems a bit lonely and somewhat distressed over the fact that his father is away at the war. His family’s home gets taken over by English soldiers preparing to fight off the enemy. Angus finds the egg and cares for it. The egg, of course, hatches into a water horse, which is said to be the rarest of all creatures. (The legend of this “water horse” of course is derived from the Loch Ness monster story). I don’t want to give away too much here, for those who want to see it without already having heard the minute details.

I do want to say that the latter part of the movie has some moments that could come across as scary or violent--at least they might to some children. My six-year-old wasn’t frightened or bothered in the least by any of it, nor was a class-mate of hers I talked to. In fact, they both seemed to love and enjoy the film immensely. However, if your child tends to get frightened by movies, you may want to screen it yourself first and use your own judgment.

I also want to mention that our local Wal-Mart has a DVD package that includes a miniature stuffed water horse with the movie (the set was priced at $19.99), which my daughter and her school friend both got very excited about. They both carry their little water horse around with them; Jayde took hers everywhere she went this weekend, her friend carried hers to school in a tiny purse today. In my book, it’s always a plus to get something extra when purchasing a DVD.

All in all I would say I absolutely adored this movie. It had some funny elements to give you a chuckle, and it had moments to pull at your heart strings as well (yes, I even teared up just a little bit at one point). It’s basically an all around feel good movie with delightful special effects and a charming storyline.

Feel free to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on this film!

Take care and come back,

Amanda


Based outside of Lexington, Kentucky, Amanda Holbrook wears many hats, including mother, wife, freelance writer, Tastefully Simple consultant, accounting assistant and more! She hopes to publish a fiction novel one day. Her blogs include parenting topics, and family-friendly book & movie reviews. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Visit her site at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/aholbrook

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Diversity in the Classroom

I was talking with a friend last week about the private school that her 2 boys attended & she informed me that she had withdrawn them at the end of last school year and they now attended public school. When I asked what brought about the change, she told me “The teachers at their previous school told them (when doing art projects) ‘We only color the people in our pictures peach.’ ” My friend, a forward thinking intelligent mom, told her children to follow the rules at school but while at home, she encouraged her children to do artwork and to color their people all different shades because as she put it “The world is full of people of all different colors.”

This got me to thinking. When we take our children to school, we assume that we are placing them in the very best care. We believe that the teachers that interact with them on a daily basis are teaching them about equality and being open-minded when in reality, that may not be the case. Teachers are human and bring with them into the classroom, their own set of prejudices. How so we know that they aren’t passing them on to our children?


A culturally literate teacher can make all the difference when working with children on the concepts of diversity & racial tolerance. An educator that celebrates differences helps to increase students’ self-esteem and self-worth and helps to teach children about these differences in a non-judgmental way. Unfortunately, there are some schools, administration and teachers who fall short of this mark.

What should we as parents be on the lookout for? How can we tell if our child’s teacher is ready to take on this open-minded way of teaching?

1. Look for signs in their classroom: Do they have pictures, quotes or artwork representing all cultures and populations?

2. Check out their teaching style: Do they encourage healthy, open discussions and questions about cultural perspectives and topics?

3. Examine the school curriculum: Do the lesson plans fit all types of students? Does it focus on one particular gender, race or religion more than another?

4. Ask the students: 45% of all children in the US are ethnic minorities. Do they feel excluded? Do they feel safe sharing things about themselves in the classroom?

5. Take a look at your child’s homework or text books: Are there units or chapters devoted to all ethnicities? Do they look at History or social issues from different cultural perspectives?

Most teachers are good people trying to do their jobs in the best way possible; dealing with school overcrowding, budget cuts and the like. If your child’s classroom does not answer with a resounding “yes!” to the above questions, you don’t have to make a rush to pull them from school. These are merely suggestions for the optimal learning for our children and if your child’s school or teacher can provide even just a few of the suggestions, they are better off for them.

We should of course, be teaching children morals and their belief system at home, but with teachers having a large influence over behavior for a good portion of their day, we do have some cause for concern if they are teaching things that we don’t want them to learn. The world is made up of students of all different colors, shapes, and sizes and we need to find educators that encourage communication about differences while demonstrating that these differences do not equate to any one group or person being better than any other. We should be concerned when our teachers tell our children to “only color people peach” and we should applaud those that inspire, motivate and empower children of all colors.

Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog, and other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Happy Earth Day!

Almost everyone has heard of Earth Day but for those of you who haven’t, Earth Day is held each year on April 22 to promote awareness of environmental issues. It’s like Earth Hour, recently celebrated on Mar 29 for 1 hour, but this time for one whole day. bluebasins bath & body wants you to help celebrate Earth Day this year and every day with you becoming a green body. If we collectively become green bodies, together we will create a green earth.

What is a green body you ask?
You can make your body green by making small changes to the way you live, such as using natural bath & body or household products that are great for your skin and good for the earth.

10 Great Ways to become a Green Body


1. Improve our air quality by leaving your car at home.


2. Save energy by turning the lights off when not in use.


3. Put a composter in your backyard or use your green bin to reduce household waste.


4. Turn off your car's engine if stopped for more than 10 seconds.


5. Set your thermostat above room temperature in the summer and below room temperature in the winter.


6. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.


7. Don't Dump It - Blue Box It. Use recyclable bins at home and while out as well.


8. Conserve water. Turn water off when lathering body in the shower.


9. Use pesticide free garden care products.

10. Use
bluebasins bath & body’s natural skin care products.

Makeda Paul is the owner of bluebasins bath & body, Canada's premier line of all natural skin care products. An Aromatologist by trade, she developed all of bluebasins’ products using only the best ingredients suited for your skin, and is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute's blog. Her products take care of you and your baby's skin the way nature intended, naturally. Begin now with bluebasins bath & body at www.bluebasins.com

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Gift Ideas For Administrative Professionals Week

According to the Department of Labor there are 13 million administrative assistant related jobs in the U.S. Those dedicated individuals deserve to be celebrated for the support they offer companies all across the nation. Administrative Professional Week is celebrated the last week of April, with the day being observed on the Wednesday of the given week. The recognition of these behind the seen workers grows every year. They are one of the many unsung heroes of the labor force in America. Let’s show them our appreciation and make this year’s Administrative Professional Week and Day special for all the Administrative Assistants and Secretaries. Whether they are friends, employees or spouses help show your appreciation for all their hard work. Here are a few ways how.

Send flowers to them at the office

They can enjoy the scent and beauty for days reminding them of the recognition they have received for all their hard work.

Tuition Reimbursement for anyone who is furthering their education for their present career is a generous and appreciative gift.

Free Lunch or Dinner is always appreciated. Free lunches and dinner could include a group outing, an office party in the office cafeteria/lunch room or a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant.

Box of Chocolates

Need I say more? Who couldn’t resist a box of chocolate gourmet truffles? This is a good gift suggestion for those with many assistants and on a budget. You can inexpensive boxed chocolates in local grocery stores to gift basket websites.

Gift Baskets are among one the more popular gift choices and for good reasons. Gift baskets can be customized to fit an individual’s taste or can be given to a large group to share. Either way, gift baskets always make great gifts. For group baskets, try snack gift baskets, fruit baskets, cookie bouquets or candy bouquets. They look great and come with variety so that everyone is satisfied. Individual gift baskets can range from bath and body gifts, wine baskets, Thank You themed baskets or gourmet gift baskets.

Personalized Plaques

Another stand out appreciation gift would be a plaque. A plaque is a nice personalized gift that is sure to make any assistant feel special and appreciated. This is also a gift that can be hung in the office and admired all year round.

Whether you choose any of these gift ideas or not, please remember to celebrate Administrative Professionals Week. The work force wouldn’t be the same without them. More importantly, your company, office, job, life wouldn’t be the same without them.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Cynthia Marcano is a stay at home mom of two. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In her spare time, she enjoys running her princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog. Cynthia Marcano is the owner of http://www.simplysinfulbaskets.com

Friday, April 18, 2008

Craft for Earth Day: Papier Maché Globes

Papier mache globes for earth day!

This project can take a while, but it is definitely worth it and lots of fun!

Step 1: Make the Flour Glue
Make a simple, thin glue from flour and water. Mix 1 cup of flour into 1 cup of water until the mixture is thin and runny. Stir into 4 cups of boiling water (the heating gives the glue a nice consistency, but is not necessary). Simmer for about 3 minutes, then cool.


Step 2: Blow up Balloons
Blow up one balloon for each child.

Step 3: Papier-Mâché
Dip strips of paper in the flour glue, wipe off excess, and wrap the strip around the balloon. Have at least three layers surrounding the balloon, allowing each layer to dry overnight. (This would take 3 nights). When the papier-mâché is dry, the balloon usually pops by itself, and separates from the outer papier-mâché skin.

Step 4: Decorate your "Globe"
Decorate your "globe" with blue and green paints to represent the earth!

Ida Combast is a mom of two very active children, 5 and 8. Before her son was born, she worked in a daycare setting and had fun doing so! She did lots of crafts using children’s handprints! So get ready! They are coming next week. She currently works from home while homeschooling her children. She is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog and her aim is to promote wellness in all homes across America: www.livetotalwellness.com/ida

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

How to Talk to Your Children about Race

At some point in the life of a parent, it becomes necessary to talk with your child about discrimination, prejudice or more simply, the things that make people different from one another. Whether it's race, religion, culture or skin color, children are naturally curious and will ask questions. The important thing, if you are a parent, is to know what to say and how to answer their questions when the time comes.

The age of the child is one of the most important things to consider when talking to children about racial differences. Children from ages 2-3 begin to notice physical aspects of identity and gender. This is followed by curiosity about skin color, hair color and texture, eye shape and color. They may also begin to recognize cultural differences and they may show signs of "pre-prejudice" such as acting afraid, uncomfortable or avoiding or ignoring other children they perceive to be different. Three- and 4-year-olds begin to seek answers to their questions about differences. They show a greater awareness of appearances and they ask questions about where they got their own skin, hair, and eye color. Five-year-olds begin to build a group ethnic identity, as well as an individual identity within that group. They are more capable of exploring the differences and similarities between groups. They accept the use of categories and begin to look to see where they fit in. Six- to 8-year-olds begin to realize that their ethnicity is not changeable. They begin to become aware of attitudes for and against racial, religious, and cultural groups and they are highly influenced by significant adults, peers, and the media. Cultural pride may also begin to develop at this age. Nine- to 12-year-olds become more aware of the attitudes and behaviors within institutional settings and they also begin to get a clear understanding of the struggles against bias and are more willing to discuss culture, race, and differences.

Once we understand the capabilities of our children to understand our answers, we must then decide what to tell them! There is no perfect script and ultimately your discussion will probably not be perfect, but opening the door to communication is the first step to stopping hate, prejudice and inequality and to opening your child’s eyes to the diversity around them. Regardless of your child’s age, you can use the following pointers to help you discuss this difficult topic.

1. Do not pretend everyone is the same
Children are not blind to the fact that people look, dress and speak differently from them. They need simple, truthful and accurate information that addresses those differences and helps to reduce their fearfulness or hesitation.

2. Talking about prejudice does not increase its prevalence
Children do not learn prejudice from having open, honest discussions about physical differences. They learn prejudice from the media, peers and influential figures in their lives. If you are accurate with your information and you help your child to be consistent with their actions regarding discrimination then your child will be more likely to know what to do and how to behave when confronted with a situation that requires them to act appropriately.

3. Discuss what is different as well as what is the same
It is important that children understand that what makes us different, makes us who we are. Although it is important that we focus on inner qualities more often than outer, we should not ignore the differences; rather we should attempt to explain that often customs, manner of dress or culture can be expressed in many ways.

4. Treat all questions with respect
Despite being awkward, embarrassing and at times, even humorous, you should try not to silence your child or to make them feel that they asked a forbidden question. This may keep them from discussing it with you in the future.

5. Answer questions clearly and honestly
Try to understand what they are really asking and give short, simple answers that children can understand. Try not to over explain and if you don't know an answer, say so. If you give a wrong answer, correct yourself. Give children simple, factual answers to questions rather than general “all-encompassing’ statements.Despite being a challenging conversation, it is an accomplishment as a parent just to start a dialogue about such an important and controversial topic. The more we know about how to talk to our children about the differences in our world, the better we can equip them to become open-minded, unbiased adults. We as parents can give our children the tools to make their world a more loving, accepting place just by providing them a comfortable place to voice their questions and concerns, and an ear to listen to what they have to say.

Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute’s blog, and other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Be fashionable with your skin with bluebasins bath & body’s 100% natural skin care line

We buy all these expensive tops, skirts, pants, shoes and makeup, yet most of us forget the most important thing to be fashionable with…our skin!

It’s the one item we wear everyday and should be the first thing we treat well yet most people do not take great care of it. Our skin, the largest organ of our bodies, should be treated as though it is important and treating your skin should include cleansers that remove dirt but do not strip away the natural oils; moisturizers that moisturize the skin yet allow it to breathe; and exfoliates that remove dead skin cells while leaving the skin polished and naturally radiant.

The best way to treat your skin is the way nature intended, naturally. The philosophy behind bluebasins is that you should be able to pronounce the ingredients in products you put on your skin. “Take a look at your average skin care product,” says Makeda Paul, owner of bluebasins. “It can be very difficult to correctly pronounce all the ingredient names listed? And, if you can’t pronounce it, how would you know what it does or how it affects your skin.”


Most people who shop for products for their skin grab the closest item off the shelf without looking at the bottle or even reading the ingredients. What they may not realize is that whatever you put on your skin is eventually absorbed into it and wouldn’t you rather absorb something natural, created by nature. This is why bluebasins was created – to give consumers a choice, a choice to be fashionable with their skin naturally without sacrificing quality.

bluebasins bath & body’s natural skin care line offers a wide array of products, created by hand and with all-natural ingredients. Products include handmade soaps, facial masks, body scrubs, bath melts, body butters and more. “Because the products are not mass produced, we are able to incorporate the best natural ingredients including Sweet Almond Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, as well as a variety of healing essential oils, herbal powders and salts”, adds Paul. By blending these natural ingredients together, wonderful synergies of products are created that are great for the mind, body and soul.


Your skin is yours for life, so be fashionable with it. bluebasins helps women look after their skin to make it as healthy and naturally radiant as possible. They show consumers an alternative natural way to take care of their skin. For more information, visit their website at
www.bluebasins.com.

Makeda Paul is the owner of bluebasins bath & body, Canada's premier line of all natural skin care products. An Aromatologist by trade, she developed all of bluebasins’ products using only the best ingredients suited for your skin and is a frequent guest blogger on Sew Cute's blog. Her products take care of you and your baby's skin the way nature intended, naturally. Begin now with bluebasins bath & body at www.bluebasins.com

Sunday, April 13, 2008

5 Baby Shower Gifts That Mom Will Love

With the pregnancy bug in the water system, you are bound to know someone who is having a baby, if you aren’t having one yourself. Pregnant women equal shopping time. Here are 5 gifts that any mother will most certainly be appreciative of. The baby shower gift ideas are great for those who are shopping or for mom’s to put on their gift registry.

1. Diapers, diapers & more diapers!

That is quite a bland gift but a very much needed gift. I don’t know any mom who will complain about having too many diapers with a newborn at home. To make diapers snazzy you have to dress it up a bit. You can find diaper cakes in lots of gift sites. Some come with as many as 150 diapers, plus booties, bibs and tons of other essentials for baby, but all in the shape of an all so cute cake.

2. Layettes, blankets, socks & burp cloths

Chances are they are going to get tons of these. However, these gifts tend to come in newborn or 3 months sizes which after a few weeks probably won’t serve its purpose anymore. Making this a great gift is if you buy them in larger sizes. After a few months, mom still has brand new gifts for the baby to enjoy.

3. Pamper products for Mom

The last few weeks of pregnancy are very uncomfortable and can be hard on Mom. Let Mom have the star treatment as well. Once the baby is born, Mom’s 15 minutes of fame are over. See www.bluebasins.com for products to pamper mom.

4. Savings Bonds

A savings bond is a great way to help invest in the child’s future. While everyone is thinking of now you are thinking ahead. It may also help jumpstart parents to jumpstart on baby’s future if they haven’t already.

5. Gift Certificates

You can never go wrong with a gift certificate. Mom and Dad get to choose what they want and you gave them that satisfaction. The obvious choice for a gift certificate would where the registry is set up. If they do not have a registry set up, good choices could include their favorite supermarket (formula, diapers) or baby store. Another gift certificate idea could be a check card gift certificate. It works like a credit card and can be used anywhere. See www.sew-cute.ca for gift certificates for adorable personalized items for the new baby.

Tip: I don’t suggest buying clothing unless the parents-to-be suggested so. Chances are they have already gone shopping and couldn’t resist those tiny adorable outfits.


Born and raised in New Jersey, Cynthia Marcano is a stay at home mom of two. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In her spare time, she enjoys running her princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

How to teach cultural diversity in a non-diverse community: How TV can help to enhance learning

In many communities across North America the complaint is the same; “I want to help my children learn about other races, religions and cultures, but my community isn’t very integrated & my circle of friends is not diverse, what do I do?” It’s true that although we are a country of diverse backgrounds, most people tend to seek out groups of friends of the same race, religion and/or ethnicity. It is easier to find common ground and the language barrier is not present when spending time with others who share in our culture. However, parents would like their children to be accepting and tolerant of other cultures even though they may not be exposed to them on a regular basis, what’s a parent to do?

Enter the wonderful world of children’s television programming. With the choices our children now have, you can expose your children to multiple cultures, languages and traditions all in the same afternoon. A new study released recently from the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that high-quality educational programming can have a positive effect on young children. These programs assist in the acquisition of general knowledge and improve cognitive learning among children ages six and younger. The report also states that educational programming which emphasizes cultural and racial diversity can improve children’s attitudes to those subjects.

So, the television now becomes the ultimate cultural teacher & not the “boob tube” that parents once thought it to be. The one possible drawback to this seemingly perfect answer? There must be culturally diverse and age-appropriate shows for children to view & learn from.

Luckily for us parents searching, children’s programmers have responded. There are any number of shows on television today featuring characters of different races, with disabilities and even those that speak different languages. Three child-oriented stations are leading the pack with their high-quality, diverse and educational television programs.

PBS, the trailblazer in this category features Sesame Street, which has taught generations of children around the world their ABCs and how to count. Much more than that, since the inception of the show 35 year ago, there have been racially diverse characters & characters with disabilities & they all work together to promote the overall the message of acceptance and togetherness. Even today, there are strong female characters, multi-lingual characters that teach “words of the day,” & they have featured adopted families, non-traditional families & characters in wheelchairs all enjoying their time on 123 Sesame Street.

Nickelodeon has been the big winner in viewer share and profit with their introduction of Dora the Explorer and it’s spin off, Go Diego Go. These educational cartoons feature multi-lingual, Hispanic characters that teach about animals, letters, numbers, counting and Hispanic traditions. The real innovation with these programs is that they also focus on teaching Spanish to non-native speakers. The repetition and interactive nature of the 30 minute shows make learning fun and also get children up off of the couch to participate in the actions that Dora, Diego and their friends instruct.

Nick also recently launched a series with an Asian-American leading lady. The show, “Ni Hao, Kai Lan,” was created by a first generation Chinese American. It targets 2- to 5-year-olds and follows bilingual five-year-old Kai-Lan as she learns about her inter-generational Chinese-American family. The curriculum focuses on social and emotional lessons, multicultural values, cause-and-effect thinking, and basic Mandarin Chinese language skills.

Finally, we have NOGGIN TV and the show, Little Bill, the everyday adventures of an African-American boy. The show is based on Bill Cosby’s popular book series and is developed through research and in consultation with educational experts. The show is designed to help kids celebrate their everyday experiences and the people who share them. Little Bill shows kids that what they do makes a difference in the world. By dealing with conflicts encountered in everyday life, the program encourages children to value the love of their family, to increase self-esteem, and to develop social skills.

These programs are just the first in a long line of diverse and unique shows that will help our children to see that different is just different and we are no better or worse for not looking, speaking or dressing like “everyone else.” Congratulations to PBS, Nickelodeon and Noggin TV for being innovators and addressing the need that we as parents have for teaching from the comfort of our own homes. Nothing replaces the human interaction and relationships that are important to helping children understand cultural differences; it is still important to try to get involved and meet other families that are different from us. In some circumstances however, that proves extremely difficult and given the choice between not exposing them to these differences at all, or spending an hour watching any of the children’s programs that were created to teach and enrich their experiences, I’m picking up the remote control.


Based in Arizona, Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology and is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and she is a frequent guest blogger on other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

One Chic Mama: Tradition That's SewCute!

One Chic Mama Has a Treat for You! They're giving one winner a $50 gift certificate to use on any item at Sew Cute. To enter, go to their blog and leave a comment telling them what items you'd choose! Please include your email address. The deadline is Midnight, EST April 12.Everyone wins this contest!

Even if you don't win the big prize, Sew Cute is giving away $5 to their One Chic Mama visitors! Simply go to their website & register here. Be sure to mention One Chic Mama when asked for your referral. At the end of the contest, you'll receive $5 in SewCute cash in your inbox.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome to Sew Cute’s new blog! We’ve decided to join in on all the blogging fun! Our blog will be updated several times weekly with a wide variety of baby, toddler, especially-for-mom, and parenting topics coming to you from a team of writers made up of moms – who know exactly what you’re going through. Allow us to introduce ourselves:

My name is Ida Combast and I am a mom of two very active children, 5 and 8. Before my son was born, I worked in a daycare setting and had lots of fun! We did lots of crafts using children’s handprints! So get ready! They are coming next week. I currently work from home while homeschooling my children. Our aim is to promote wellness in all homes across America: www.livetotalwellness.com/ida

I’m Amanda Holbrook. Based outside of Lexington, KY, I wear many hats, including mother, wife, freelance writer, Tastefully Simple consultant, accounting assistant and more! I hope to publish a fiction novel one day. I will be blogging about general parenting topics, and doing reviews on books, movies, etc. Visit my site at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/aholbrook

My name is Tracy Hoobyar and I am a personal trainer for academic, personal and professional excellence for people with ADHD, and those who love them. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Psychology and working with children as a substitute teacher and volunteer, I learned what an incredibly widespread problem ADHD can be. Through my training in NLP, Psychology, and my experience working with all these kids, I have finally developed a unique yet effective program to help those living with ADHD. I will be blogging about various parenting issues affecting all of us. You can learn more by visiting http://www.addvantageforlife.com

Hello. My name is Makeda Paul and I am the owner of bluebasins bath & body, Canada's premier line of all natural skin care products. An Aromatologist by trade, I developed all of our products using only the best ingredients suited for your skin. Our products take care of you and your baby's skin the way nature intended, naturally. Begin now with bluebasins bath & body at www.bluebasins.com

I'm Lucie Kroeplin and I live in greater Toronto, Ontario with my husband and two active boys, 4 and 1. In addition to being a wife and mom, my other callings include working as a teacher, and running Sew Cute, a home-business based on my love of good, old-fashioned embroidery where I personalize clothes for babies and toddlers. Check out our designs at www.sew-cute.ca

My name is Cynthia Marcano and I was born and raised in New Jersey. I am a stay at home mom of two. My hobbies include scrapbooking, crafting and other creative pastimes. In my spare time I enjoy running my princess party website, www.princesstreasurechest.com and writing articles about party ideas and gift giving.

My name is Lisa Smith and I live in Arizona. I have a BA in Psychology & am the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. I publish a
blog on my website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity and children, and I am a frequent guest blogger on other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. I am also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

Please come back to visit us several times weekly for our exciting and informative updates!

Let us know in the comments - what do you want to read about?