My children don’t realize it, but sometimes they are parented by committee.
Since my children are the same ages (or younger) than many of my friends’ kids, I have to admit that that we often share ideas, strategies, homework complaints, sleeping concerns and more.
Since high school - 20 plus years ago - I’ve had one friend I’m still in touch with today. While we were younger, our daily conversations were about clothing, band rehersals, homework and, of course, boys.
Today, our nearly daily conversations continue about clothing (”Really, that’s what my daughter wore today to school!”), rehersals (”How am I going to fit soccer practice in between gymnastics classes?”), homework (”My son aced his spelling test.”) and spouses and friends (”When ARE we going to get together?”)
She knows as much about my kids as I do about hers. I am “aunt” to her kids, just as she is “aunt” to mine. In fact, my kids have many “aunts” who are not biological, but are held up at that level because of their love and continuous care.
I guess the phrase “it takes a village” continues today, whether we live right next door to one another or miles away. All it takes is a cell phone, e-mail or video conference call to make it happen.

Hi folks… I got comments that the link I posted Wednesday for the computer give-away was not working. I fixed it. Please take a look at the blog again!

Parents: Just in time for school to start, Nova Mesa Computer Systems in Phoenix is giving away netbook computers.

To enter, children in grades one through 12 can submit a 150-200 word essay that answers the question: “How would you use a new Nova Mesa Computer Systems netbook bundle to help you do better in school during the new school year?”

Three netbook bundles will be given away. Essays must be submitted by Sept. 6. Winners will be announced Sept. 21. For information, see their Web site.

Essays will be judged on creativity, details on how the student will use the bundle and examples of ways the student will have fun with the technology. One submission per student. Official contest rules, regulations and restrictions are available online.

The Tribune has posted a story about the preteen- and teen-ritual, sleepovers, going out the door.
Every parent can - and should - make decisions on how to parent.
Here’s my thoughts: My son - then 6 - participated in his first sleepover birthday party about a year ago.
I met the boy’s mom in college, though we lost touch over the years. We “met again” when our boys were in preschool together four years ago. I also met her husband then.
Though the kids see each other daily at school, we moms only see each other every few weeks. Sad, I confess, since we live just down the street from one another. Busy lives and work keep the calendar booked.
When my friend asked about my son coming to the party, I checked with her about how many kids would be coming and what the plans were for the evening. I also talked to my husband and our son. He wanted to go, but we let him know we would come anytime if he wanted to come home. It’s a 3-minute drive.
My friend agreed that was a good plan.
There was a bit of a rough patch that night, when my son didn’t want to go to sleep at midnight, but overall he did fine.
My daughter was also invited to a sleepover party in the spring. She is 4.
I don’t know the parents. Our daughters are in school together and see each other daily, but I’d only met thems once or twice.
My daughter did not attend. I think 4 is a bit young to go to a friend’s overnight, though she does spend the night with grandparents a few times a year.
As the kids get older, I have to admit, I may worry more than I do now.
But if our kids still have the relationships with their closest friends now, and they’ve earned the trust, and if we still have the relationships with their parents - I would probably say yes.

Yes, I know, a lot of IFs, but isn’t that what parenting is about?

A co-worker passed along this story about children as young as 3 being diagnosed with depression. Being a mom, and hoping other moms are reading this, I thought I would pass it along. It’s an interesting read.

Study: Depression seen in children as young as 3