About.com Parenting School Age Children

Turkey Anxiety and Funny Turkey Questions

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:49:56 +0000

Got turkey on your mind and thawing in the fridge? As I shop and chop and bake and prepare for the big day, it gives me some comfort to know that I am not the only one who is stressing about whether or not the turkey will come out perfectly done or dry and mealy this year.

Each November and December, the people manning the turkey tips hotline run by Butterball, the nation's most popular turkey brand, field as many as 100,000 calls from people -- as many as 12,000 on Thanksgiving alone -- asking about everything from cooking temperatures and thawing techniques to how much stuffing they should use.

Here are a couple of examples of more amusing turkey situations reportedly handled by the people at Butterball, according to an Associated Press story:

A woman who cleaned out her turkey with a scrub brush and asked if that was OK to do. (Not necessary.)

People who want to know if it's okay to thaw a turkey in the bathtub while washing their kids. (Ewww.)

If, like me, you are suffering from a bout of pre-turkey anxiety, check out these tips and recipes from About.com's guide busy cooks, Linda Larsen.

Turkey Anxiety and Funny Turkey Questions originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 22:49:56.

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Help Feed Hungry Families

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:44:50 +0000

This Thanksgiving, try to take some time to give to families in need before you sit down to dinner with your family and give thanks for the things you have in your life.

Fueled by rising unemployment and an economic downturn, an estimated 49 million Americans -- including nearly 17 million children -- lived in households that experienced hunger or reduced-quality diets last year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Economic Research Service. That's an increase of 36 percent over the USDA estimates released last year, says Feeding America, the leading hunger-relief organization formerly known as Second Harvest.

Feeding America estimates that the real numbers of hungry Americans are even higher. In their own recent study, Feeding America found that nearly every food bank they surveyed reported an increase in requests for emergency food assistance in the past year, with demand for aid increasing in some areas as much as 150 percent.

Before the holiday hubbub starts, take a look in your pantry to see if you have canned food or other non-perishable foods such as pasta, rice, crackers, peanut butter, and canned juice and donate it to Feeding America or a local food pantry. You can even host a pantry-food party and ask guests to bring food for donation, or just set up a collection bin on your porch or doorstep for people to drop off food at their convenience.

When you help other families, you will not only feel more appreciative of your blessings, but you'll be setting an example for your children to follow.

Related Articles:

Raising a Charitable Child

How to Find a Food Bank in Your Area

Help Feed Hungry Families originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 01:44:50.

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Get Your Kids Games!

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:49:08 +0000

As you shop for your turkey -- or if your family is vegetarian, Tofurky -- and all the other food you'll need for your Thanksgiving feast, you might wanna include a trip to the local toy store if you don't have some great family board games to break out when your family gets together.

Grade-school age kids are developing verbal, math and logic skills, and are able to really begin to play and enjoy board games. Even younger grade-schoolers can have fun with "junior" versions of classic board games such as Scrabble Junior and Wit's End Junior.

So instead of just turning on the TV when your family is gathered together, let your grade-schooler have fun playing educational board games with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and whoever else is around. Having the whole family play together will give your kids a chance to go up against new opponents and give your family a chance to spend some time together while having fun.

Get Your Kids Games! originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 02:49:08.

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Thrifty Thursdays: Will You Buy Your Spouse a Christmas Gift?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:28 +0000

This holiday season, many parents are reporting that they will spend less on each other so that they can buy gifts for their children. Slightly more than half (50.3 percent) of parents surveyed said they plan to cut back on gifts to each other, according to a new survey by America's Research Group, a consumer research and marketing firm. Things were very different before the economic downturn tightened everyone's purse strings: In 2007, only 6 percent of spouses said they'd cut back on gifts for each other.

But as with any cloud, how you deal with the setback determines the shine of your silver lining. If you're spending less on your spouse this year, you can look at your limited holiday budget as a challenge to buy only small but thoughtful gifts that will be appreciated. For instance, if your spouse loves to collect ornaments, you can buy her one to add to her collection. Or if he loves to watch football with buddies, you can arrange for a guys' afternoon football party at your house and surprise him with an invitation.

For other cheap but great holiday gift ideas, check out Working Moms Guide Katherine Lewis' ideas for Nice but Cheap Gifts.

More Thrifty Thursdays Blogs:

Try a Car Boot Sale

Free Pregnancy Advice

Up to 70% off Designer Baby Clothes at Totsy.com

Get Ready for Black Friday

8 Coupons to Make Thanksgiving Cheaper

Access Wal-Mart's 32-Page Black Friday Ad

Inexpensive Stocking Stuffers for Tweens

Thrifty Thursdays: Will You Buy Your Spouse a Christmas Gift? originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 05:00:28.

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High Levels of Lead Found in Toys

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:29:15 +0000

Toys sold by big companies like Mattel and Disney have been found to have high levels of lead, according to a new report by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), a research and advocacy group that works to protect consumers from toxic chemicals. CEH tested 250 products sold at major retailers such as Sears and Wal-Mart and found that 7 items contained lead levels that exceed federal safety standards.

The products found to have high levels of lead are:

Disney Tinkerbell Water Lily necklace sold at Walgreens

Barbie Bike-Flair Accessory Kit sold at Tuesday Morning

Dora the Explorer Activity Tote sold at TJ Maxx

TKS Girls Sandals sold at Sears

Kids Poncho sold at Wal-Mart

Faded Glory Girls' Shoes from Wal-Mart

Cherokee Boys' Belt from Target

The most disconcerting part of this new report is that it comes after a new law passed by Congress last year that sets strict limits on lead and chemicals in products for children ages 12 and under. That law was prompted by a series of major product recalls of toys tainted with lead. Which makes a parent think, "When will kids' products finally be free of lead and other toxic chemicals?"

High Levels of Lead Found in Toys originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 01:29:15.

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What Do You Think about Chocolate Milk in Schools?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:52:44 +0000

What do you think about the new ad campaign promoting chocolate milk in schools? The campaign, which is sponsored by The National Dairy Council, stresses the nutritional value of lowfat chocolate milk and asserts that kids drink less milk when chocolate milk is taken away.

Meanwhile, those who oppose chocolate milk in schools say that flavored milk adds extra calories -- and therefore extra pounds -- contributing to the growing problem of childhood obesity. They say kids will drink plain milk when flavored is not available.

Is the answer balance? Some schools are experimenting with offering flavored milk only on certain days of the week. And in our family, I know that my son, for one, will rarely drink plain milk. To boost his calcium intake, I give him yogurt and cheese and calcium-fortified orange juice. And I also occasionally give him vanilla or chocolate-flavored milk. He doesn't eat much sugar otherwise, so I figure the occasional serving of flavored milk is worth any extra calories.

What Do You Think about Chocolate Milk in Schools? originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 09:52:44.

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Saving Money on Thanksgiving Travel

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:57:21 +0000

Is your family planning to travel to see family this Thanksgiving? If so, you may want to check out these tips on getting cheaper Thanksgiving travel flights from Teresa Plowright, guide to family vacations. Being flexible with travel dates can mean significant savings for families.

If you're planning to drive, try these tips on saving gas. You can use these fuel-efficiency tips to save gas on your Thanksgiving trip and beyond. Making these gas-saving tips a part of your daily routine will not only save you money but also help you do your part to save the environment.

Saving Money on Thanksgiving Travel originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 08:57:21.

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Thrifty Thursdays: Shop Early for Savings on Holiday Gifts

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:00:45 +0000

Unless your family has been holed up in a cave for the past several months, you probably already know that Zhu Zhu Pets are predicted to be one of the must-have toys of the season. And if you have a child who's been asking for the fuzzy little critters and their myriad of accessories for the holidays, you probably already know that many stores are already out of stock of these popular toys.

One reason retailers are out of Zhu Zhu Pets and other predicted-to-be-popular items is that most have not placed big orders this year. Burned by last year's dismal sales, many stores simply have not taken any chances.

But aside from the issue of availability, there's another reason to shop early. Industry analysts are also predicting that those unheard-of major discounts we saw last year are highly unlikely, again because retailers won't be facing overstock of inventory. So the message seems to be: Don't wait until the last minute to shop, hoping for a discount. If you see an item on sale right now that seems to be a good price, grab it.

More Thrifty Thursdays Blogs:

Check Grocery Coupons for Savings on Gifts

Check Out Clearance Racks with Your Teens

Save Money on Baby by Decluttering

American Girl Offers Budget-Conscious Gifts

Take Advantage of Free Shipping This Holiday Season

Free Shipping from Online Vendors

Plan Now, Black Friday Deals Already Circulating

Thrifty Thursdays: Shop Early for Savings on Holiday Gifts originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 05:00:45.

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Family Photo Calendars � A Great Do-Ahead Holiday Gift

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:22:53 +0000

A friend of mine reminded me yesterday that we are seven weeks away from Christmas. Yikes.

My friend is the kind of woman who has already ordered Christmas gifts (yup, she's one of those super-organized people whom the rest of us can only feebly attempt to emulate before we realize it's like trying to become a concert pianist -- you either have it or you don't). So while I'm not gonna turn into Rebecca, I am at least determined not to be that crazed lady running through the mall on Christmas Eve again this year, making a mad dash from store to store, frantically searching for gifts.

That's why I'm taking a page from another friend's family and getting an early start on Christmas this year. I recently visited my friend John's mom, who had a terrific calendar of family photos displayed at her house. It turns out that last year, one of her other sons, Peter, had compiled family photos and used the iPhoto application on his Mac to create a calendar for members of his family for Christmas. It was flat-out one of the most beautiful calendars I'd ever seen -- a testament not only to Peter's artistic eye but also to the ease of use of the iPhoto program.

If you don't have a Mac, you can use a site like Rocket Life, which lets you create t-shirts, photo books, and even mugs as well as calendars from your PC. And if you have a good quality printer and the time, you can make your own calendar, cards, photobooks, and more with Hewlett-Packard's free Creative Studios for Home site.

I'm thinking of some more do-ahead holiday gifts for friends and family. In the meantime, I'm gonna spend a few minutes this week and gather up some photos to unleash my inner artist and create a great calendar for my family to use all next year.

Other Gift Ideas from About.com's Parenting & Family Channel Guides:

10 Great Stocking Stuffers for College Kids

Holiday Gifts Under $30 for College Kids & Young Adults

Active Toys for the Whole Family

Active Toys for School-Aged Kids

Active Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Affordable Parent-Child Gifts

Board Games That Are Fun for Parents, Too

Best Boyfriend/Girlfriend Gifts

Inexpensive Baby Clothes Gifts

Christmas Gift Ideas for Teens

Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Boys

Christmas Gift Ideas for Teen Girls

Top Gifts for Crafty Kids

Gifts for Grandpa

Grandmother Gifts From Around the World

Gifts for Grandbaby's First Year

Commemorative Gifts for Baby's First Christmas

Top Preschool Board Games

Educational Toys for Preschoolers

Top Inexpensive Gifts for Teachers, Coaches and Parent Volunteers

Video Games for the Whole Family

Electronic Gifts and Games for Kids

Electronic Gifts and Games for Preschoolers

Gift Ideas for Tweens

10 Ideas for Grandparents Gifts

10 Ways to Give Mom Gifts She Deserves

Classic Toys for Today's Kids

Books That Keep Kids Busy

Educational Kids Games for Grade Schoolers

Family Photo Calendars � A Great Do-Ahead Holiday Gift originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 12:22:53.

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Bans on School Bake Sales -- Really???

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:11:24 +0000

Recently, New York City banned bake sales in schools. Sixteen states, including California, have imposed similar limitations on foods high in calories, fat and sugar in schools.

I can understand the sentiment and the motivation -- however misguided -- behind the new rules. Childhood obesity is a major concern, and we should be doing all we can to curb sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks in schools. But does anyone really think banning bake sales will somehow counter sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition, and other unhealthy lifestyle habits that are increasing kids-- and adults' -- waistlines?

Just as banning baked goods from school grounds is no magic bullet for our nation's obesity problem, fighting obesity has to take a multi-pronged, reasonable approach. Parents and schools can work together to teach kids how to eat right and make sure they get enough physical activity. Once they have the real tools make healthy choices, a cookie or a muffin here and there will be a once-in-a-while treat, hardly worthy of a ban much less a second thought.

Bans on School Bake Sales -- Really??? originally appeared on About.com Parenting School Age Children on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 12:11:24.

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