Archive for the 'Being a mom' Tag
September 30th, 2009, 1:53 pm by Michelle Reese
 A mom in Michigan is under fire because state regulators say she is violating childcare law there. Each morning, the woman’s neighbors bring their children to her house for care before the bus arrives. Then the woman takes all the children to the bus stop. But the state says that because she is not licensed, and the care is ongoing for more than four weeks (Michigan’s statute), she is breaking the law.
According to Susan Wilkins, the executive director for Arizona’s Association for Supportive Child Care, the Michigan woman may also be breaking the law in Arizona, but it’s a fine line.
In Arizona you cannot care for more than four children (who are not your own) at any point in time without being regulated if you’re receiving compensation for that care, Wilkins said. And compensation may be the “exchange of goods or services,” such as a “you watch my kids, I’ll watch yours,” situation.
“If she’s doing it for absolutely no money, she would probably be exempt,” Wilkins said. “But that would be a fine line.”
The laws are in place, she said, for the safety of the children. That’s why there are regulations, she said.
“If you have five children in your home and you’re caring for them in your home every morning, what safety do you have in place? Are you doing anything with curriculum for the kids or are they watching television? Are you giving them a snack? There’s all kinds of things to consider,” she said.
Group home care licensing is required for anyone who cares for between five and 10 children (not their own), she said. That is set up by the Arizona Department of Health Services’ Office of Child Care Licensing.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Arizona law • Being a mom • child care • kids at home • School time | Post a Comment »
September 29th, 2009, 8:33 am by Michelle Reese
 Well, if for no other reason than a “Been there, done that” feeling, I want to pass along notice of an author speaking at a local bookstore next week.
(As in, after giving birth to my two children and not knowing what happened to my brain capacity, I’ve “been there and done that!”)
Changing Hands in Tempe is hosting Adrienne Hedger, the author of “If These Boobs Could Talk: A Little Humor to Pump Up the Breastfeeding Mom.” Hedger’s newest book is, “Momnesia: A Humorous Guide to Surviving Your Post-Baby Brain.”
She will discuss lack of sleep, hormone overload, and diminished memory ability. Her new book is described as, ”This hilarious how-to guide, full of coping tips, brain boosters, diagrams, and anecdotes, can help moms reclaim their own thoughts. More importantly, Momnesia buoys a mom’s sense of humor as she leaves her car keys in the freezer, forgets her husband’s name, or accidentally runs over the diaper bag (again).”
Hedger will speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S McClintock Drive, Tempe.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • " author • "Momnesia • Adrienne Hedger • Being a mom • book • Changing Hands Bookstore • Time for mom | Post a Comment »
September 28th, 2009, 12:22 pm by Michelle Reese
I found a new online resource for moms (well, new to me!). It’s called Mamapedia. I just spent a few minutes browsing through it. Users can post questions (such as, “How do I keep a house with five children clean?”) and other users give advice.
It was fairly easy to use. There are some areas that require registration, but it looked like you could search through reader/user content easily without doing that. Anyone who has the time might find fun and useful ideas at this Web site.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Being a mom • life with kids • News for parents • parenting tips • words of wisdom | Post a Comment »
September 22nd, 2009, 4:01 pm by Michelle Reese
 In a few weeks, my son has fall break. Seeing as I would have to shell out a bunch of money to put him in camp while I work - and seeing as I have the vacation time - I’m scheduled to be off.
But here’s the catch: we’re taking a trip without daddy.
I took time off during spring break, too, but we stayed close to home. My son has his tonsils out (his sister still went to day care a few days because it’s a month-to-month payment and, well, it was paid for).
But this time around, even with my daughter’s situation, I’m planning a trip to California.
Without my husband.
I have more time off than him, partly because of the structure of each of our companies and partly because I’ve just been here FOREVER.
When my kids where younger and I didn’t work full-time, we took similar trips to So Cal . At the kids’ young ages, daddy’s absence wasn’t so glaring.
But now they’re older and I’m worried about how they’ll respond. And I’m worried about being fair to my husband.
We’re only going for four or five days. The kids are excited about seeing my dad and family. And I have no doubt about taking the trip.
It’s not like my husband will be sitting around. He’ll be quite busy with work and football (he’s a volunteer Pop Warner coach).
I’ll just miss the fact he isn’t there enjoying the beach with us.
But I guess it’ll all even out. During the Christmas holidays, when I don’t have any more time off, he’ll be the one with the kids.
They’ll probably stay home and watch holiday movies.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Add new tag • Being a mom • family • vacation | 1 Comment »
September 20th, 2009, 1:31 pm by Michelle Reese
 Sometimes moms hear words of wisdom: from other moms, their own moms, or even strangers.
Here’s mine from a Saturday running errands with the kids:
• Before sticking your hand down a garbage can at a local mall food court and asking the cleanup crew to open it for you after your 4-year-old screams, “You threw away my toy,” stick your hand in your pocket.
• Carry hand sanitizer in the car at all times. You never know when you’re going to need it.
• Before heading out of the house, even for five minutes, grab a couple bottles of water. Someone will always say, “I’m thirsty.”
• Someone will also say, “I have to go to the bathroom.”
• It’s impossible to go to a mall with a Lego store without your 7-year-old figuring it out, even if you don’t tell him or plan to go to that particular store. I thought I had it mapped out perfect by avoiding that part of the mall. Then someone walked by with a Lego bag filled with toys.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Being a mom • busy kids • parenting tips • shopping • words of wisdom | Post a Comment »
September 14th, 2009, 10:45 am by Michelle Reese
 On Sunday, my girlfriend and I pulled off “The Great Mom-Me Escape.”
I didn’t even know I was part of the conspiracy to do this (I swear!).
Earlier in the week my son and her son were BEGGING to get together. Every afternoon there was a request.
So she suggested that on Sunday, her boys come over to my house and then I leave and come to scrapbook at her house. That sounded simple enough.
But honest, by “boys” I figured she just meant her 8-year-old, and that her nearly 13-year-old would like just want to hang at his own house.
I wasn’t sure what to do with my 4-year-old daughter. She’s bit clingy with me, but I figured with the boys there and a computer, she would keep busy.
Sunday morning my girlfriend called while my family was shopping after church. She said the boys would be over about noon to watch football.
That’s when it hit me… she meant ALL her boys, husband included.
PERFECT.
I quickly let my hubby know. His response: “I’m picking up some gameday food!”
Our nearly empty cart got quickly full with pizzas, chips and dip.
The game was afoot.
Two hours later, she and her family came over with MORE food (hey, we have three growing boys between us!). Everyone ate. The three younger kids (4, 7 and nearly 9) ran upstairs to play.
The three big boys (two husbands and a growing teen) plopped in front of the big screen.
My friend and I dashed to the car and out the driveway.
Ahh….
I returned three hours later to half eaten pizza in the office, cold wings on the oven, dirty dishes in the sink …
And eight scrapbook pages done.
One happy mommy.
We took all the kids outside to toss the football around and play at the park.
Next week? My husband invited them all over again.
I can’t wait.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Being a mom • fall • football • mom time • raising boys • raising husbands • Time for mom | Post a Comment »
August 25th, 2009, 4:54 pm by Michelle Reese
With the latest H1N1 flu news from the Feds - as many as half of us could get sick this fall from the virus - my fellow parents and I have started a discussion: Will you get an H1N1 vaccine for your child?
My kids always get a seasonal flu vaccine, and so do I. My husband isn’t always so proactive, but he also doesn’t seem to get as sick. My son and I both have a history of respiratory illness. So as soon as the shot is available each year, I gather up the kids (and the stickers and lollipops) and head to a clinic.
This year, some clinics are starting next week. And with all the news and the push from health officials to get a seasonal flu shot, I believe it will be busy.
But I wonder how many parents will hesitate when the new H1N1 vaccine is available in October? My son’s health condition means he should be one of the first to get it.
Should I do it? Should I wait to see how the first round goes?
Both health experts I talked to today said “Go for it.”
One even told me that when it’s his children’s turn, they will be there for the H1N1 vaccine.
What are your thoughts?
E-mail me at mreese@evtrib.com.
Stay healthy!
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Being a mom • kids' health | Post a Comment »
August 24th, 2009, 3:35 pm by Michelle Reese
Last week I had the chance - eh, hem - to talk to my son’s teachers, twice. Keep in mind, it was the second week of school. Last year, I had the same pleasure of getting that call, “Hi, Mrs. Reese. I wonder if I could talk to you about your son’s behavior in class today.”
EEK.
To top it off, my 7-year-old told me visited the principal. “He’s not mean (mad) at us,” he said.
His teacher confirmed this, that in fact the meeting with the principal was to remind my son of the school rules about talking in class (and not turning pencils into missles.)
EEK.
After the two teacher contacts, I thought it best to go in and sit down to chat with my son’s teachers.
I called to set up the meeting, where I learned he is having a diffult time staying focused in class. While I expressed concerned, she reassured me my son isn’t the only one. The first few weeks can be tough for the students - especially those in first grade who have - to regroup after summer break.
So this weekend, my husband and I reminded my son about not playing during class time and being good listener.
But I also took something she told me to heart. She suggested - and is doing this also - talking to my son about being a leader.
He is the oldest in his classroom. And he has four years of learning at this school under his belt. He should naturally be a leader.
But that’s not my son’s personality. He’s more of a go-with-the-flow type. I wasn’t sure about her suggestion until she told me it was working.
I got a nice note from her Friday about his improved work.
I’m hoping he’ll embrace a new role as a leader. He would be good at it, and I’m sorry I didn’t see that sooner.
Thank you to all teachers who offer insight even we, as parents, didn’t see.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Being a mom • School time | Post a Comment »
August 18th, 2009, 9:27 am by Michelle Reese
A good friend posted a link on Facebook to a story that just had me smiling last night. Some readers may remember the story of Christian and Stephanie Nielson, the young parents formerly of Mesa who were critically injured in a plane crash. The one-year-anniversary of that crash was on Sunday. On Saturday, this amazing mom climbed a mountain near her home in Utah. It was a goal she set as soon as she was moved from Arizona to her home state.
Her blog shares her story, photos and a link to the newspaper article from the Utah paper. Last year, I had the opportunity to interview Christian’s family several times and tried to keep up with the progress of Stephanie and Christian through them and friends. Reading her retelling of the story - several blog posts ago - is unbelieveable.
Posted in: Blogroll • Michelle Reese • Being a mom | Post a Comment »
August 13th, 2009, 3:25 pm by Michelle Reese
Just a few days into our school year and I am at a crossroad.
Because of my work schedule, my son is enrolled in afterschool care. He attended last school year and he LOVES it. It is a part of him. He is king of his own time there. Each day, he packs a little toy (usually a small Lego set) in his backpack to play with after the staff helps kids with homework. When it’s cooler, they play outside. While it’s hot and the kids are forced to stay indoors, the crew (some of the most nurturing people I know), bring out toys and games and books and encourage the youngsters to try a bit of everything.
I considered moving him to morning care this year (with no after care), just so we would have more time in the evenings. But it would be a rush in the afternoons to pick up both kids and be right at school when the bell rings. Besides, as my son’s afterschool teacher pointed out, my son is ALL ABOUT the afterschool program. (And last school year he had, let’s just say, a number of tardies in the morning).
So I did not make the switch.
But during the summer the kids started waking up earlier and earlier. Now, we seriously have at least 30 minutes and sometimes than that to just hang at home before I can drop him off at school. We have had fun, but the kids are get restless and bored. After breakfast, when we’re all packed up, they’re just ready to go! This morning - two minutes before we were finally walking out the door - my daughter asked if she could go on the computer.
I know it would cost a bit more, but I’m tempted to sign him up for both morning- and afterschool care. In the long run, it may SAVE me money.
How? Because of my schedule now - and my husband’s new duties as a volunteer football coach - no one is home to make dinner. Last week I brought home take-out twice. This week it’s just been once - but it’s only THURSDAY! And it can cost us $20 for take out for a family of four - each time. Adding morning care for a week is less than the cost of one take-out meal.
I figure, if I can get him there earlier and get out of work earlier, MAYBE we wouldn’t be eating out so much.
But the biggest perk of this plan could be that the kids would see daddy before he heads out the door to football practice, something we didn’t have on our radar when we were setting all this up. It’s been a dream of my husband’s to coach, so we wanted to make it happen.
I can’t wait till it really cools down in the evenings so we can all go to football practice!
Posted in: Blogroll • Michelle Reese • Being a mom • family time | Post a Comment »
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