Lian Dolan's Blog, page 26
August 31, 2012
Movies, Soccer and Beyond Yoga pants: Friday To Do List: August 31
It’s been a while since I’ve done a To Do List, mainly because this summer, the only activities I’ve managed with my son’s illness and my father situation are : Wait, Watch & Pray the Phone Doesn’t Ring. But it’s a holiday weekend and it feels like maybe I can take a breather:
Go See Robot & Frank: This movie looks like exactly the kind of film I need: charming, smart, indie. Yes, I know it’s about an older man with dementia. But I heard Frank Langella on Fresh Air and he sold me on the story and I love him. Plus, The reviews included the word “caper” which I’m all all for. Love a caper. And Capers– so good on salmon.
Buy Fresh Yoga Pants: The time has come to buy some new yoga pants. I splurge ever so often and this is the weekend. Though I did spot Tim Gunn’s tweet the other day that mused: Are all those women in yoga pants really coming from or going to a yoga class? I suspect not. Well, Tim Gunn, you’re right. We’re not. But if you’ve ever worn the original pants from Beyond Yoga, you would never want to take them off either. Soft, Comfy, flattering. Even Mr. Tim Gunn would agree.
Watch some soccer: The fall season kicks off at our house with my older son in a 3-day tournament. It’s slowing dawning on me that next year– by the grace of God and the Common Application– he’ll be playing soccer somewhere else. And my husband and I will be sitting home looking at each other wondering what to do on Saturdays and Sundays. One more season on the sidelines.
What are you up to this Labor Day? Let me know…
Embracing my Chaos, Lian
Need some food ideas?
Labor Day recipes: steal some ideas from Fourth of July
August 30, 2012
Five Stress-Free Ways to Get the Family Out the Door On Time!
Back to School means getting back to one of the most dreaded rituals of parenthood, The Out-the-Door Scramble. We all could use a little help when it comes to Cutting the Chaos in the morning. So I surveyed some veterans moms ( Thank you, Chaos Crew!) about how they make the AM routine stress-free and whine-free. You moms have solutions. Here’s how their advice broke down:
For the whole family:
Do everything, and we mean everything, you can the night before Lunches in the fridge. Backpacks by the front door. Special equipment for afterschool activities ready in their own separate bags. Sheryl, a working mom of one tween in Miami, also include cell phones, car keys and briefcases on the list so Mom and Dad aren’t holding up the morning carpool.
No Television of Electronics in the morning Another universal suggestion that I’ve used successfully at my house. Keep the TV off and the video games for afterschool. There is no need to battle for the kids time and attention with SpongeBob.
For younger kids:
Use a Soundtrack as Motivation Dana, a mortgage banker in Dallas with two school aged kids, created a get-up-and-get-going soundtrack that is exactly as long as the kids’ morning routine. Dana advises, “Play it every morning so the kids know by the time they hear “Boom Boom Pow” they should be brushing teeth, and by the time they hear “Baby Baby” they should be heading downstairs, etc. It’s a lot easier than the constant “10 more minutes” or “Seriously, 5 more minutes!!!”
Use a Photo Prompts This suggestion came from Nicole, a mother of two who dreaded the morning routine with her second child, a slowpoke. So she created a photo book of all the tasks her kindergartener had to accomplish before school. Nicole writes, “We did a walk through of the entire morning routine. Wash hands, brush teeth, get dressed, etc. Then, I put each photo on laminated paper in sequential order, like a book. She used the photo book for most of Kindergarten and at the beginning of 1st grade too.”
For older kids
Put the responsibility on them Make sure your tweens and teens understand that it is their responsibility to get themselves and their stuff out the door. Susan, a stay-at-home mom with 3 teen daughters instituted the “One Bailout Per Semester Rule.” Susan says, “If a homework assignment is forgotten or a shirt is “too scratchy”, I will only run up to the school with a ’save’ one time per semester. It takes pressure off of the kids if they do make a mistake, because everyone is human. Plus, it reinforces the concept that my kids should be responsible for themselves.”
What tips to you have for getting out the door? Share them with us!
Embracing my Chaos, Lian
Related Back to School Posts!
BTS: Freshman Orientation for Moms
BTS: What I Learned in Middle School
BTS: What’s Your Volunteer Personality
Five Stress-Free Ways ot Get the Family Out the Door On Time!
Back to School means getting back to one of the most dreaded rituals of parenthood, The Out-the-Door Scramble. We all could use a little help when it comes to Cutting the Chaos in the morning. So I surveyed some veterans moms ( Thank you, Chaos Crew!) about how they make the AM routine stress-free and whine-free. You moms have solutions. Here’s how their advice broke down:
For the whole family:
Do everything, and we mean everything, you can the night before Lunches in the fridge. Backpacks by the front door. Special equipment for afterschool activities ready in their own separate bags. Sheryl, a working mom of one tween in Miami, also include cell phones, car keys and briefcases on the list so Mom and Dad aren’t holding up the morning carpool.
No Television of Electronics in the morning Another universal suggestion that I’ve used successfully at my house. Keep the TV off and the video games for afterschool. There is no need to battle for the kids time and attention with SpongeBob.
For younger kids:
Use a Soundtrack as Motivation Dana, a mortgage banker in Dallas with two school aged kids, created a get-up-and-get-going soundtrack that is exactly as long as the kids’ morning routine. Dana advises, “Play it every morning so the kids know by the time they hear “Boom Boom Pow” they should be brushing teeth, and by the time they hear “Baby Baby” they should be heading downstairs, etc. It’s a lot easier than the constant “10 more minutes” or “Seriously, 5 more minutes!!!”
Use a Photo Prompts This suggestion came from Nicole, a mother of two who dreaded the morning routine with her second child, a slowpoke. So she created a photo book of all the tasks her kindergartener had to accomplish before school. Nicole writes, “We did a walk through of the entire morning routine. Wash hands, brush teeth, get dressed, etc. Then, I put each photo on laminated paper in sequential order, like a book. She used the photo book for most of Kindergarten and at the beginning of 1st grade too.”
For older kids
Put the responsibility on them Make sure your tweens and teens understand that it is their responsibility to get themselves and their stuff out the door. Susan, a stay-at-home mom with 3 teen daughters instituted the “One Bailout Per Semester Rule.” Susan says, “If a homework assignment is forgotten or a shirt is “too scratchy”, I will only run up to the school with a ’save’ one time per semester. It takes pressure off of the kids if they do make a mistake, because everyone is human. Plus, it reinforces the concept that my kids should be responsible for themselves.”
What tips to you have for getting out the door? Share them with us!
Embracing my Chaos, Lian
Related Back to School Posts!
BTS: Freshman Orientation for Moms
BTS: What I Learned in Middle School
BTS: What’s Your Volunteer Personality
August 24, 2012
Naked Prince Harry! LL Cool J! Lance Armstrong! Plus, College Apps: Chaos Chronicles 602
Last week, I wondered how I was going to fill the time after the Olympics and then PRINCE HARRY TOOK OFF HIS CLOTHES! Hallelujah!
But first, Dog Shaming: I mentioned it on the air, now find the website and enjoy a few moments at some dog’s expense.
Trend I love: Dog Shaming! Click here to find the Tumblr site
On this week’s podcast:
Fri, 24 August 2012
Lance Armstrong, LL Cool J, Naked Prince Harry, and The Coffee Cup Murder: Chaos Chronicles 602
The Chaos Chronicles: Stop me before I apply to College for my son!Plus, what a news week!Naked Prince Harry!Lance Armstrong
LL Cool J
and
The Coffee Cup Murder
Plus, My To Do List
Direct download: chaos_602.mp3
Category:2012 — posted at: 8:07 PM
Embracing my Chaos, Lian
August 17, 2012
Dockers Shortage in America! Parenting Advice! A New Season of The Chaos Chronicles Podcast Begins
Hello, Chaos Crew!
The Kids are back at school and I’m back in the closet with a new Season of Chaos! Yes, my sixth season creating my weekly podcast . Thanks for all your support over the years.
Today on Chaos Chronicles Podcast 601:
Attention America! Forget the drought! Let’s talk about the Shorts Shortage! Hello, Dockers, where are all your shorts? Please contact me if you have a 32 flat front that my son can wear to school.
Your Advice for New High School Parents Amended: You gave me great advice three years ago; I added to it .Read the complete post here.
Food warriors, here is your study! Are you on aligned with the anti-cupcake faction at school? Me, too. ( Read my Institutionalized Snacking post here) Now there’s a new a study to back up high calorie restriction laws in schools.
Glad to be back! Like the podcast? Spread the word. Share the link on Facebook or Twitter. Thanks.
Embracing my Chaos, Lian
Fri, 17 August 2012
Back to School Advice for High School Parents! Dockers Shortage! Panini Generation! Chaos Chronicles 601Lian Dolan starts her sixth season behind the microphone. This week, Back to School advice for New High School Parents. Plus, Lian identifies a major shortage in the BTS supply chain: Dockers Shorts. Plus, A Panini Generation update.
Direct download: Chaos_601.mp3
Category:2012 — posted at: 7:46 PM
August 16, 2012
Freshman Orientation for Moms! Advice for New High School Parents
These two are now a Freshman and a Senior in High School. Woo-hoo! And gulp.
Freshman Orientation for Moms. In honor of my two high school sons who headed off together today, one a freshman and the other a senior, I thought I’d re-post this column I put together few years ago with your help. The Bold typeface is the original post and the Italics typeface is my updated take . Enjoy and please add your own lessons learned in the comments:
When my son started high school last year, I discovered that becoming a new high school mom is a lot like giving birth. When I was pregnant, I didn’t really want to know all the dirty details about labor just until before delivery. Then, I wanted to know everything. And fast!
I experienced that same sensation after dropping my son off at high school the first day. The minute he walked off to his first class, I realized how much I didn’t know about the next fours year! So I turned to a real panel of experts: Experienced High School Moms. They dished up advice on all kinds of areas pertinent to the high school years—from academics to nutrition to social issues:
Don’t say the word “college” for the entire freshman year. High schoolers today face non-stop college pressure; they need a year to just be freshmen. Sounded so good until I started the college search process with my older son this summer and those lower grades freshman year have come back to haunt him. Don’t be crazeballs about college, but every year in high school counts.
Same advice for homework and grades, at least for a while. High school is where they really need to figure out the academic piece on their own, without the “guidance” of mom and dad. If you can back off for the first semester, you may set them up a successful, independent four years.
I backed off academically and it was less stressful day-to-day. He has made his own way, for better or worse!
Have faith in the teachers and coaches. They will become wonderful mentors and advisors. True, they will also test your child and his or her sense of self. Expect rapid maturity in some cases, while your kids sit on the bench, don’t get the part or fail the test. Smile! At least it’s not you teaching them a life lesson.
New experiences like school dances and Friday night football games require advance conversations about rules and expectations. Be clear about curfew and transportation issues. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Never change the plan. NEVER! And the possession of a cell phone does not give them license to call 20 times a night with new plans. Stick fast to your rules.
Keep in mind that this may be the time you want them to screw up. They’re still in your house and you can help them learn from it. I am looking forward to the empty nest.
Think really hard before you speak. One inkling that you’re “judging” them or their friends, and you’re done. Practice restraint. Amen. But let them know in every way possible ( text, lunchbag notes, in the car) that you are there for them if something is off.
Get a carpool going, so there are more kids in the car than just your own. You’ll hear more about what is happening at the school. Make sure you include a girl in the carpool, especially if you have a non-communicative boy! Or be the house where the kids gather at night and afterschool. It will cost you more in food, but you’ll make up for it in knowledge and peace of minds about their friends and their activities.
Have a place for downtime apart from parents. High schoolers just want to hang out with their friends and taste a little bit of freedom. Give them a long leash. A long, well- articulated leash with a fully-charged cell phone at the end.
Keep a fridge full of fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese, and hard-boiled eggs. A few healthy snacks may counteract the burgers and fries. And say a small prayer for Mickey D smoothies and Power Bars.
The best place for difficult talks is in the car. Limited eye contact allows for maximum honesty. Use any means possible if they want to talk but don’t want a face to face. Texts work, too. The new “car talk.”
Be kind, but do not pay much attention to boyfriends or girlfriends. Many will come and go over the years. Very true. Don’t take their relationship anymore seriously than they do.
Laugh, especially with them. Life is funny. Next Saturday night, rent What About Bob together. Trust me.
ALWAYS follow your gut! If you suspect there is a problem, there probably is one. And the problems get very serious, very quickly: suicide; cutting; eating disorders; unprotected sex; reckless driving; drug and alcohol abuse. Wow. By the time the hit Junior year, the stakes are very high. Do not wait for the right time. Make the time if you think your child or a friend is in trouble.
Leave your clock, calendar, and wallet at the front door of the school; you’ve now lost all control over them! Yes to the clock and calendar. I think we still have some control over the wallet!
Good Luck, new high school parents! And please, if you’ve made it through high school with your child and have your own words of advice, be sure to leave a comment. We learn from each other!
Embracing my Chaos,
Lian
Related Posts:
6 Things Every Teen Wishes their Parents Knew
Keeping the lines of Communication Open
August 13, 2012
Random Thoughts London 2012 #14: The Final Weekend and the Closing Ceremonies
And the finally gold medal of these London Games goes to …. George Micheal! You gotta give’em what you got, George. Woo-hoo!
See, England, I knew you could do it! Stick to Closing Ceremonies next time around. Much more your strength–news-wrapped cars, models on runways, Monty Python. Mods on motor bikes. Spice Girls on cabs. Much better than that dreary mess of an Opening Ceremony. (Sick kids and dirty-faced peasants anyone?) Excellent rebound and wrap up.
Did anyone else get the feeling that Ryan Seacrest knew nothing about what was going on last night? He gave us nothing in terms of names or backstory. Maybe his producer was held up in traffic.
Fine Job, London. Fine job.
Those poor Royals. If you think we’re going to have Post-Olympic letdown, imagine poor Kate and Will and Harry. What’s next for that lot? A lifetime of hospital openings.
Top Moments of the weekend: The record-breaking men’s 4 x 100 relay, Mexico stunning Brazil in the men’s Soccer final, Mo Farah winning gold again, the nail-biting men’s diving competition, Tom Brokaw back in the flack jacket, and the London crowds cheering on the marathoners, especiailly American Meb Keflezighi.
What I’ll miss about the Olympics: the Parent cams, the NBC Sports boys Liam and Willie, those Nike ads and Mary Carillo’s pieces, spending the day with Dan Patrick and Al Micheals and great camera work.
What I won’t miss: Ryan Seacrest referring to the 5000 meters as” the 5k” , The Today Show, and that ad where all those Gen Xers are singing Spandau Ballet. Nobody feels like that about Spandau Ballet.
Predictions for 2016:
Usain will will three more Golds
Ryan Lochte won’t win any because he’ll be a judge on American Idol
The US Women’s Volleyball team will get their revenge and their gold
The Rio Opening Ceremonies will not fetaure sick kids and dirty-faced peasants
Even more Olympians will get sent home for drunken behavior
Not only will the beach volleyball women be in bikinis, all the spectators will be as well
Bob Costas will still not have a single grey hair
Now, what are we supposed to do with our lives?
Embracing my chaos, Lian
Want to Re-Live the Games? Related Posts
August 10, 2012
Random Thoughts on London 2012 #13: Everybody in the Pool
Wow! What a day Thursday turned out to be in London. World’s Greatest Athlete Ashton Eaton. Usain Bolt does the Double in impressive Fashion. Bob Costas wears spectacles in Prime Time. Hard to pick a top moment, but I’d have to give it to the Gold Medal Celebration of the US Women’s Water Polo Team. Everybody jumped in the pool, from coaches to trainers to reserves. Everybody. Then they all started splashing. It was fantastic and fun and those hard-working athletes like Brenda Villa finally got their gold. Good work, ladies.
And wonderful call by Doc Emrick to underscore the moment.
But 80,000 people at Wembley to watch the women’s soccer final was spine-chilling. Great win by the US women. Another fanstastic moment for women’s sports all over the world, courtesy of women’s soccer.
I can’t think of another athlete I admire more than Abby Wambach.
Except maybe Joan Benoit Samuelson and Lisa Leslie , both featured in the tearjerking Nike ad that followed the US women’s victory. YouTube it if you missed it.
I don’t think US Soccer coach Pia Sundhage will be the next pick for Dancing with the Stars.
Great sister stories at the Olympics: The Swimming Anderson Sisters– one medals in the open water swim and one medaled in the pool in the 4 x 200 relay. And the water-polo playing Steffens Sisters– Maggie and Jessica– both bringing home golds.
As Julie predicted, the British government “disappeared” the geese in Hyde Park before the swim.
Best Interview Response of the Games: When asked why she picked boxing, Gold medalist 17 year- old Claressa Shields from Flint, Michigan responded, “I like beating people up.”
Is there a place for Rhythmic Gymnastics? Of course. It’s called Cirque de Soleil.
I was wrong. Ryan Seacrest is terrible. Please don’t talk about sports, Ryan.
Woo-hoo! Indoor volleyball in primetime. No bikins, just killer athletes.
Was there ever a guttier story than Manteo Mitchell finishing his leadoff of the 4 x 400 relay on a broken leg? In 46 flat? Sure, other athletes have crawled across the finish line, but this guy ran through a broken leg! Awesome.
Equally gutty: American 400 meter runner Bryshon Nellum coming back from a random drive-by shooting 4 years ago near the USC campus during his freshman year. Let’s hope four years of surgeries and training results in a medal tonight.
With apologies to Bill Mahar, New Rule: Masai Warriors should win Gold every games. What a performance by David Rudisha in the 800.
Triple jump is wacky but a wonderful night for the two American who went one-two. Best friends, Gators, great for the sport.
As I write this, Al Roker is still giving “English Lessons” on the Today Show. Holy moley.
Embracing my Chaos,
Lian
Related Posts:
August 9, 2012
Random Thoughts London 2012 #12: Allyson Felix, SuperCool Hurdlers and Bruce Jenner
Great night of track & field last night. No judges, no costumes, no music — just a clock and measuring stick. Ah, relief. I’m so happy for Allyson Felix who finally won her gold in the 200 meters. I love watching her run.
Oh, the water polo is too painful. I can’t watch.
The women’s wrestling reminds me of growing up in the Dolan household. Monica and Sheila used to settle a lot of arguments in similar style. And the tiebreaker rules (draw a name out of a hat, winner gets to grab the other person’s leg) were apparently made up by my brother Brendan.
Grand Prix Dressage: Does it seem wrong that horses get Artistic Marks?
Wait! What? The Aussies brought their own mascot to London. No way! Did you see that giant Boxing Kangaroo at the basketball game. That is AWESOME.
Oh, no. It’s just a fan in a giant kangaroo suit. That’s awesome, too.
What’s the deal with Craig Sager?
My husband goes for his run as soon as they cut to multiple rounds of platform diving. I, on the other hand, stick around to watch and read InStyle simultaneously. Platform diving is spectacular.
The announcer just announced that one of the divers weighs 78 lbs. I’ve never weighed 78 lbs.
Voice of Doom Cynthia Potter declares tonight’s diving a “splashfest.” That’s the most fun thing she’s ever said.
According to InStyle, Vests and Jade are big fall trends. And, lookee here. I already own the blue silk camp shirt from Ann Taylor featured three ways on Page 118! Yes, I will layer it like a cardi over a white sheath, InStyle! Thanks.
A House Divided: I’m for Misty and Kerry and my husband wants Jen and April.
I win.
All-Time Great Satellite Sister Moment: Misty and Kerry’s post-match interview. Sob, sob.
But let’s same a prayer of thanks that the Prime Time Domination of Beach Volleyball is over. Do we really need to see every game?
Ashton Eaton’s mom in the P&G ad makes me cry. But what’s with shoving the decathlon “coverage” to this weird taped piece in the last 5 minutes of the show, NBC? Without any actual information, like times and scores. Hoping they do a better job covering it today.
As somebody who doesn’t watch anything Kardashian, I was ill-prepared to see the surgical mess called Bruce Jenner. It was hard to explain to our children who that was and why he mattered after seeing that young girl’s nose on his face.
Is Morgan Freeman just standing in studio somewhere ready to voice-over at a minute’s notice?
The Nike track & field gear is fantastic. The red is a fresh change and the yellow shoes are the best. Plus, the fact that these summer games are freezing cold means we get to see all the pieces in the collection. Running tights make a strong comeback. Nice layering, Americans.
The guys that went gold/silver in the 110 Hurdles- Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson- are bringing sexy back to track.
Go, Ashton! Go, US Women in all your sports.
Embracing my Chaos,
Lian
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August 8, 2012
Random Thoughts London 2012 #11: US Women Rule!
Watching the Olympics without access to a DVR is like riding in a road race. At first, I could keep up with the Olympic lead group, squeezing in viewing in the morning, at lunch and staying up until midnight to watch the 100 meters. I worked with my team, to gather results and fill in the blanks. Then, as the miles passed and the events piled-up, I dropped off the back, struggling to stay with the leaders. I missed the 10,00o. I missed men’s tri. And last night, when I was unable to stay up to see Aly get her gold, I lost contact with the lead riders, dropping back to the peleton. Where is the next water station?
Ah well, today is another stage and we’re headed home from the mountains and our circa 1973 TV for the last weekend of the games. In the meantime, here’s what I caught from the peleton:
At the risk of being jingoistic: American Women Rule! Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball and Water polo all came up with huge victories to advance. Thank you, Title IX.
We went to restaurant to watch the US v. Canada soccer match. On our set in the condo, you can’t really see the ball and that impairs our viewing pleasure. Bonus: Bar had 6 TVs! Soccer, Showjumping and one-man canoeing all at the same time. All in HD! It’s was glorious.
Re: Soccer Ref Controversy during US v. Canada. My husband and my son, both certifies US Soccer refs, mentioned several times during our lunchtime viewing that the Canadian goalie was holding on to the ball way too long. Then, she finally got called for it. It’s not a common call, but she was milking it.
Did you see those manly men in the canoes with the giant paddles? That’s all I can to say about that.
And for the men, my husband was sorry to see the Russian pole vaulter get less camera time due to her silver, not gold.
It’s a pleasure to listen to Lisa Leslie do the basketball commentary. Knowledgeable and relaxed. I’ve seen her do panel discussion at conferences and such and wonder why she doesn’t have her own talk show. She’s great.
There was a great moment in the US women’s basketball game the other day when the cameras caught a virtual United Nations of fans singing, “We will, We will, Rock you.” God save Queen.
Wowowow. Great to watch the OTHER US women’s beach volleyball team Keesey and Ross beat the Brazilians. And then to see Misty and Kerri go up against the Chinese. The finals will be very exciting.
I don’t speak Portuguese, but that one Brazillian player wasn’t too happy with that other Brazilian player. You don’t see partners berating each other like that very often.
Frigid rainstorm. Heating pads for the athletes. Bright pink rain ponchos on the fans. Ah, those Brits, they really know how to beach.
Well at least the stupid rules in gymnastics go both ways.
How bad did you feel for the Romanian woman, and I do mean woman , as she watched her bronze medal disappear? Awful. That’s the tape gymnastics officials should replay and then award 2 Bronzes.
And Al Trautwig kept referring to the Romanian as “disconsolate.” She was the complete opposite: stoic and strong. Not a tear, not a sour face. Hardly disconsolate.
Heard from the Synchronized Swimming fans knew I would. I know the athletes train hard and what they do requires skills, but to me, it’s exactly like Ice Dancing: beautiful, technical, showy and not a satisfying competitive sport.
Poor Lolo Jones: Fourth place… and a virgin.
Let’s Go Mexico!
Let’s go US Women!
Embracing my Chaos, Lian
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