Lela Davidson's Blog, page 30
May 10, 2012
Helicopter Parenting and Crawler Helmets
Given the lengths so-called helicopter parents will go to protect their children, one would think an actual helicopter blade were hurtling toward their sheltered offspring. I suspect the stress caused by parents’ fears might harm kids more than the occasional stitch-worthy gash, or bump on the head.
Case in point: crawling helmets.
Seems some parents are so concerned about the rate at which their babies are ambling about the living room that they are purchasing crawling helmetsfor their high velocity tots.
Read the rest of this post on Today Show Moms.
May 8, 2012
My Wardrobe Secret: Let Others Choose
I hate shopping. Really, I do. Unless it’s for food or maybe during some odd phase of Jupiter circling the Moon of Target, I don’t enjoy it. Shopping for clothing is the worst, which is why I usually put it off until I have a very specific need. This accounts for the few sweaters in my closet that you might pry off my cold dead body sooner than convince me are past their prime. And yet… somehow I manage to look not terrible most of the time. I think.
My secret: Let others choose.
Getting dressed has become much more frustrating since my daughter turned about six and started telling me what was what. But I’m also getting better at it. I’m anticipating her reaction, and basing [some] of my wardrobe decisions on it.
But what’s better than a [now] tween daughter to help you get dressed? Very stylish friends.
I’ve been looking especially cute this spring thanks to some help from my business partners in Peekaboo Media Group. With minimal direction (no bare arms, don’t make me look short) they picked out several ensembles for a recent photo shoot. Even better: Dillard’s gave us a discout on anything from the shoot. I bought the key pieces, added a little mixing and matching with the help of my daugther, and set out for my most fashionable season ever. I think.
My secret is simple. It’s the same for clothing, wine, and entrees at dark restaurants with menus that have too-small font: Let others choose.
What makes you feel cute? Head over to Life Well Lived on BlogHer and join the conversation. There are prizes!
April 14, 2012
Notes to Self: Tween Parties
Last night we hosted a going away party for the loveliest girl my daughter has known for the eight years we’ve lived in Arkansas. Through playdates, carpools, scary movies, late night runs for the border, hours on end of Facetime, and too many sleepovers to count, we have come to love her as our own. To send her off in style we invited a dozen of her closest friends to party like it was 1999. Okay, not really, because they don’t know that song, but you get the idea.
Some things I learned:
1. Red frosting is just as dangerous as red punch.
2. Dawn dishwashing soap really can get out any stain, including those that result from red frosting.
3. One should state on the invitations that one is feeding the children, so that one does not end up with four pepperoni pizzas left over the end of the night.
4. Twelve-year-olds still play duck-duck-goose. Or, that’s their story and they’re sticking with it.
5. Other moms know a lot more about the social lives of said 12-year-olds than I do. And that’s the way I like it.
6.Two 40-something moms should wait until “Young, Wild, and Free” has finished before “warming up the dance floor.”
7. If there are boys and soccer balls at the party, liability waivers might not be a bad idea.
8. The word sexy is overused in the tween demographic. Disconcertingly so.
9. Only hold parties in good weather.
10. Napkins, napkins, napkins.
My kids party philosophy has not changed since they were little, and it’s not so different that my adult party philosophy. Don’t overthink it. Don’t try to control it. Give them something to eat and drink and leave them alone. I may not be the best hostess, but I did hear the kids had a good time. In fact, more than one child gave the party in the highest compliment available to the developing tween mind.
They called it EPIC!
My work here is done. For now.
Image: Pink Sherbet Photography, Flickr
April 4, 2012
Podcast: Easter Bunny Blues
I cannot tell you hwo happy I am that the whole Easter Bunny thing is behind me. I still gather treats for my sweets, but no longer must I suffer the pressure of protecting their childhood rabbit fantasy. We are in a happier place now – me, my kids, and our 2-pound bags of chocolate.
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The Case of the Easter Bunny
Can you relate? There's more where that came from.
Order Blacklisted from the PTA in paperback or Kindle now.
Like This? Try These:
Podcast: Got Hotel Rooms?
Podcast: Does Sam's Club Count as Date Night?
Podcast: Holiday Baking Disaster
Audio: Lela Davidson
April 3, 2012
March Madness & April Fun
It's been a busy month here. Busier than usual, I think. Maybe it's the weather. It's hard to believe that we are through Spring Break and looking forward to summer. Today I spent the day on the lake, I slathered myself in sunscreen and spent the day eating salty snacks, drinking cheap beer, reading and sleeping – and it didn't feel a day before June.
"Promises To My Teenagers" appeared in Peekaboo Magazine and Pittsburgh Parent. This caused a bit of a scuffle over pizza, when my daughter objected to my reference to ugly hair. No worries, I made it up to her with The Hunger Games.
Delivered the keynote speech on the first day of The Divorce Expo on March 25th in Novi, Michigan. You 2.0: Because Life's Too Short to Stay Tied in a Knot. I think they liked me, especially the woman who asked me to make a Me 2.0 t-shirt. That's on the list ;)
Blacklisted from the PTA was honored as Best Humor book and Best Non-Fiction Book of the Year by Readers Views.
Considered the merits of consuming one's own placenta for TODAY Show Moms.
Explored potential tattoos for my golden years for TODAY Show Moms.
Gave Arkansas women a voice for iVillage, after our fair state was rated… not favorably, compared to some others.
Started a company. You heard me. Peekaboo Media Group was born this month. That's us in the picture up there.
Contributed "Top 5 Ways to Save Money in the Kitchen" for Chicago Parent's Your Money feature.
Sold a reprint about teaching kids about cash and credit to Austin Family Magazine, which they were able to adapt into a television news segment! Love that. (See the segment below.)
"Portrait of a Junk Drawer" was published in the spring issue of BC Parent.
Austin Family: Kids and Credit: MyFoxAUSTIN.com
On Newsstands Now
"The Case of the Easter Bunny" in ParentsSource and Broward Family Life.
"Confessions of an Earth Mama Wannabe" in metroparent.
"Cyber-Bullying: 6 Strategies for Prevention and Damage Control" in Savvy Kids.
"When You Want to Run Away" in Houston Family.
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April 2, 2012
Fool Me Once… Whatever
My kids love to play pranks on April Fool's Day. They also enjoy trying to play me for a fool every other day of the year, but I don't take their lies seriously, and I don't think you should either. Fool's Day or no, if you live with a child of your own making, any of the following may be lies:
I'm not texting; I'm playing a game.
Of course the new puppy went #2.
Yes, I cleaned my bathroom/made my bed/fed the fish.
I have never traded my apple for chips and candy.
Taylor's mom is going to be there the whole time.
Read the rest of this post on MSNBC TODAY Show Moms.
March 28, 2012
Placenta: It’s What’s for Dinner
If you’re pregnant there are a million different things to consider: names for your baby, a color scheme for the nursery, whether or not you will breastfeed exclusively, and increasingly—how to prepare the placenta. Yes, my gestating friends, many of your contemporaries are adding “consume placenta” to the list of your maternal duties. Mad Men star January Jones swears by a hearty serving of placenta. She told theTelegraph, “We’re the only mammals who don’t ingest our own placentas.”
Sacramento pediatrician Dr. Melissa Arca says that while there are no reliable studies that prove the maternal benefits of eating one’s placenta, the anecdotal evidence is abundant.
Read the rest of this post on MSNBC Today Show Moms.
Placenta: It's What's for Dinner
If you're pregnant there are a million different things to consider: names for your baby, a color scheme for the nursery, whether or not you will breastfeed exclusively, and increasingly—how to prepare the placenta. Yes, my gestating friends, many of your contemporaries are adding "consume placenta" to the list of your maternal duties. Mad Men star January Jones swears by a hearty serving of placenta. She told theTelegraph, "We're the only mammals who don't ingest our own placentas."
Sacramento pediatrician Dr. Melissa Arca says that while there are no reliable studies that prove the maternal benefits of eating one's placenta, the anecdotal evidence is abundant.
Read the rest of this post on MSNBC Today Show Moms.
March 23, 2012
iVillage: Sometimes Being Last Pays Off
Most of you do not know this, because I didn't tell you, because I was sort of sad and pitiful, but I auditioned to be an iVillage iVoices video correspondent. I was rejected. And then I went and did it all over again. You know what happened, right? Because I am clearly NOT an iVillage iVoice video correspondent. (Because I think we all know how many times I would have mentioned it if I were. So, yeah, two rejections was humbling, but whatever. I'm used to it, and not because I'm being self-deprecating, but because rejection is a huge part of the writing business.
I was sad not to be the next big video star, but the people at iVillage, especially Kelly Wallace, were so kind and generous, that I couldn't be even a little bit miffed. And I made some new online friends in the process. Love those.
Luckily, almost two years after initially applying for the video gig, iVillage decided to do a special report on the Best and Worst States for Women. I was thrilled when Kelly asked me represent Arkansas and I set out to show the world that we have teeth and are actually quite happy in the Natural State. This video features some of the very best women in Arkansas. And they are my friends, in real life. Love those, too.
I hope you'll take a look and let me know what you think, about Arkansas, the ranking in general, or that unfortunate outfit choice.
Read more about the bottom 5 states on iVillage
March 21, 2012
Senior Center Chic: Tattoos?
According to Grandparents.com, 10% of grandparents have a tattoo. One can assume that not all of them are ex-Marines or Hell's Angels. Tattoos have become mainstream, even for the Golden Girls set. We don't know when today's grandparents acquired their body décor, but at a certain age, many of the standard cautions no longer apply. For example, maturity prevents some potentially regrettable design decisions. (Or, at least you live fewer years with "I heart Ron Paul" on your ankle.) A 2008 Harris poll revealed that tattoos make the people feel sexy, rebellious, and strong. I'm not sure what effect this would have on hip fractures, but I'm willing to keep an open mind.
Read the rest of this post on Today Show Moms.
Image: robstephaustralia, Flickr
