My friend has a daughter who is 10-years old.  Her baby desperately wants a Facebook page so she can play the games like Island Paradise, Farmville, and the Little Fishing games.  For the longest time, my friend said “Absolutely not!” but finally this week she capitulated.

When we talked about it, I suggested that she never get on unless her Mom is in the same room with her.  But there are other rules that parents should set when children establish facebook (or other social networking sites) accounts.

Besides the typical “don’t talk to strangers” and accept friend requests from people you don’t know, parents can immediately see what their kids are up to with an application called Parental Guidance by GoGoStat.  You set it up and then forward it to your child.  Once they accept also, you can set up guidelines.  According to MomLogic,

Once the child accepts the invitation, the application notifies the parent of status changes, new pictures, tagged photos, comments and posts that use certain language that may alert the parent to a cyber-bullying incident or even a sexual solicitation.

I think safety is everyone’s Number ONE priority and this application will help keep your children out of trouble.

I just got to view the video making all the news channels with the eight-year-old Brazilian girl singing “Bad Romance”.  Believe me…she’s not the only one going Gaga.  My nine-year-old and I actually “enjoyed” this one much more!

Flipping channels this morning, I came across yet another reality show…”Momster of the Bride”.  The name says it all.  I watched the show in it’s entirety, becoming more and more disgusted with the behavior of this so-called “parent”.  I was reminded of the situation a friend is in regarding her wedding, and her mother’s desperate need to control it.

So far, my friend has compromised on the location of both the ceremony itself and the reception.  She’s been almost harassed by her mother’s side of the family regarding religious views and traditions, and she’s been challenged down to the contents of the guest list. 

Remembering my own wedding and the compromises we made (although not for my mom…she was great), I started thinking about alternatives to the traditional wedding that causes so much stress. 

• My friend mentioned above has just found out that the all inclusive resort they booked for their honeymoon offers a FREE beach wedding in Mexico.  That’s enough to make me get married again!
• My mom heard of a couple inviting all of their friends to a huge barbecue.  When the guests arrived, they were told that they were to be witnesses to the host’s wedding!  What a perfect way to alleviate the pressure from the control freaks!
• Many couples opt out of a traditional wedding ceremony and simply get married by a Justice of the Peace.  They use the money saved on either a big honeymoon or a fun reception…or both!

As the big wedding season approaches, far too many brides are more anxious to get the ceremony behind them, feeling way too much pressure and conflict.  If this is the case, consider a different approach.  It is YOUR day.  Enjoy it!

Photo by Johnny Jet via Flickr Creative Commons.

Here I am at 11:07 on Friday evening showing my mom exactly what I mean when I discuss “blogging” or “posts”.  See, I’m acting as if I know exactly what I’m doing.  In reality, it wasn’t very long ago that I had to learn the ropes myself.  And really, I guess we’re all still learning as we go. 

You know what’s sad, though?  My nine-year-old could probably sit down with me once or twice, take a few mental notes, and take over my job!  They’re just wired that way! 

Looking back at my elementary school days, I can only remember going to “computer” class once every two weeks, sitting at a very large computer and playing Oregon Trail…milk, tea, or coffee?  I always became very frustrated because I was never able to finish my game…because that stupid computer was so slow!  These days my daughter can’t wait the 3 seconds it takes to retrieve a saved file! 

Fortunately, my daughter is a little too young to steal my job, and my mom is still too “clueless” to try.  So, for right now, I’m safe.  Given a few years, though, they may both be my competition!

I just returned from training at the Sommet Center (actually it is now officially the Bridgestone Arena) to work concessions as a fundraiser for a friend’s daughter.  What I initially dreaded turned out to be a very informative evening.  75 to 80 percent of the workers in the concession stands there are “volunteers”, working for money that goes directly to their organization.  What a great way to give back to the community.  Some groups have earned over $50,000 in a year’s time.  Yes, it takes a commitment of time and effort (and Advil for the leg and foot cramps from being on your feet for hours), but considering today’s economic struggles, it’s a welcome relief to many people.  I spoke with several parents this evening who said that without this extra “income”, they would be forced to withdraw their children from their activities.  Many thanks to the people who make all this possible.  I guess sometimes it does take a village!

As promised, I have some ideas for kids parties.  Just keep in mind that your most important factors are cost, guests, and space.  From there, the possibilities are endless!

I can’t post this without mentioning the basics…the swimming party, day at the museum, bowling, bounce place, gymnastics party, etc.  But as I thought about what to write, I remembered a friend of mine who is struggling financially.  For the last two years, she’s really had to stick to a budget…and I think she’s given her nine-year-old a couple of great parties. 

The first year, she had a “formal”.  All the guests dressed up in anything from Sunday clothes to prom dresses.  They had a tea party, and decorated their own cupcakes.  They had fancy punch, played a few games, and hung out.  They had a blast!

This year, they went on a neighborhood scavenger hunt.  My friend spoke with neighbors on her street ahead of time, and made a list similar to the following:

• something fuzzy like a cat
• something mushy like the inside of a pumpkin
• something hairy like a spider web

Since the birthday party was at the beginning of October, she took advantage of the Halloween theme, but it could be adapted in many ways.  The girls set out, with adults and teen volunteers, to find things on the list…to be provided by the neighbors.  After finding all ten items, the groups returned to the house for cake and punch.  What a clever idea.  Not to mention low cost and unique! 

Another friend did a sundae party one year.  It was one of the best parties she had ever had, and one of the best we had ever attended! 

Remember, parties don’t have to cost a fortune.  Don’t stress.  Enjoy it.  If you have fun, so will your guests!

Photo by Theresa Thompson via Flickr Creative Commons.  

I cannot believe it…my “baby” turns nine on Sunday.  With that harsh reality also comes the dreaded question.  What kind of party will she have?  In early January, I was looking at either one MASSIVE party or two medium sized parties, one for her friends and one for our large extended family.  The family all lives fairly close, and quite frankly, expects a party.  And honestly, my daughter is very attached to most of these people, so it seems unfair to deny her a party with them.  Then, there’s the school friends issue.  No one gets an invitation unless they ALL get an invitation.  That’s the school rule.  One I definitely understand, but hate at the same time.  Regardless, it’s another factor we must consider when planning a party. 

So I began my yearly research of possible birthday venues and their party packages…Swim parties, museum parties, bowling parties, gymnastics parties…and so much more.  Prices varied greatly, from just at $100 to over $300.  Then again, I also had to consider the guests.  I found great rates for a two hour swim session at an indoor pool…but I just couldn’t see Grandmothers and uncles swimming with  Emma’s school friends (I don’t know, it just seemed wierd). 

By the end of January, I was cut a huge break.  “Girl Drama” as I loathingly call it struck my daughter and her “best friend”.   So, much like her mother, my baby decided she “didn’t want to deal with any of them”.  Neither of us deal all that well with conflict!  So the decision was made…a fun, family party.  I still had to find the place, as parking is a huge issue at our house, but it had gotten a whole lot easier. 

My mother-in-law was able to rent out part of the clubhouse at her apartment complex for a very reasonable price.  Emma decided on a “dinner party”, requesting salad, lasagne, bread, and, of course, cake (also provided by my mother-in-law who makes wonderful cakes!).  We’ll throw in some sodas and call it a party.  I feel like I got off really easy…and Emma is ELATED!  Sometimes it’s the simple things that makes them the happiest!

Okay…I did get off really easy.  I won’t leave you hangin’.  Stay tuned for some fun birthday ideas for kids!

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography via Flickr Creative Commons.

Some of us will choose to stay at home on Valentine’s Day, and spend the day with our children.  Don’t make it just another Sunday.  Find something fun and exciting to do as a family.  This is the perfect opportunity to take in some of that much-needed family time you’ve been craving! 

Try some of these ideas:

• Bake cupcakes or cookies.  Allow all of the children to take part.
• Ask the children to plan the dinner menu, and, if age appropriate, have them help cook the meal.
• Game Day!  Spend a few hours playing family-friendly games.  Snack on munchies the kids helped make.
• Watch a movie…or two…or three!  Make popcorn - air poppers are a fun addition!
• Scrapbook - Provide supplies for the kids to put together their own scrapbooks or scrapbook pages.  Maybe you could even find photos of past Valentine’s Days.

Whatever you decide to do, remind the kids of what the day is really about…spending time with the people you love.  It’s amazing what a little “together time” can do for today’s busy family!

Photo by VMiramontes via Flickr Creative Commons.

Twitter is everywhere, y’all.  I’ve had a twitter account for a couple of years now but my use goes in waves - sometimes I’m very active but other times I pull away for a long length of time.  I suppose I don’t want my life defined in 140 characters or less… besides no one wants to know I ate at a Chinese buffet for lunch and will probably get stomach cramps later as a result!

I just popped by Twitter a few moments ago and saw this link - where you can analyze your updates,

AnalyzeWords helps reveal your personality by looking at how you use words. It is based on good scientific research connecting word use to who people are.

(That’s where I learned I’m an analytic, personable, yet average person.)  (Nice.)

Perhaps this was a bit disheartening on a personal level, but the bigger picture of Twitter is the example of what we’re learning is going on in the devastated Haiti.  For example, Dan Lehr reports on some of the tweets coming out of Haiti,

http://twitter.com/firesideint “Imagine the White House and the Capitol Building… flattened. No electricity to boot. Haiti’s biggest crisis ever. Do more. Help.”

http://twitter.com/fredodupoux “dead bodies are everywhere i havent seen one ambulance or any proffesionl med care anywhere in port-au-prince”

How can this be of benefit anywhere?  Hopefully it will encourage people to donate money, blankets, food to the people who survived the massive earthquake.

From my friend Laura, NCM Compassion as a Lifestyle

From SoCalMom, Red Cross

From JennaWrites, Text HAITI to 90999 (goes to Red Cross)

Twitter isn’t just for tweets.  Find a way to help.

This has most definitely been the year of the baby in my world.  Not my own and thankfully none for my daughters (yet… let’s give them three to five years).   However, there were at least three babies born to my extended family this year - Elijah, Madelynn, and Aubrie.  Plus my friends had Nick, Cecilia, Sascha, Mazie, twins Max & Jack, Robbie, Lincoln, and about six or twelve that I’ve forgotten!  And some of my friends are expecting their first grandchildren - Roxanne, Linda - so this has definitely been the year of the baby.

Since there are so many wee ones out there now, I wonder who picked a name out of the annual “most popular” list.  H/T to Popular Fidelity, here are some of the most popular:

Top 10 Boys:  Jack, Oliver, Charlie, Harry, Alfie, Thomas, Joshua, William, James and Daniel

Top 10 Girls: Olivia, Ruby, Sophie, Chloe, Emily, Grace, Jessica, Lily, Amelia, Evie

One of my own daughters made the Top 100 list: Erin.  Annie wasn’t there at all.

The baby in the photo? That’s 24-hour old Sascha being held by his Great Grandma while Momma looks on. Sascha is Russian for Alexander.