Monday, June 29, 2009

Kicking Off The Summer (FM)

To kick off the summer I wanted to bring on two experts to talk about two important topics; how to deal wit a picky eater, and how to keep your child safe from the sun.

Joining me on the topic of picky eaters is Jodi Greebel, President of Citrition and a registered dietitian in New York City, to discuss ways to get your child to eat especially in the summer when all kids want to do is be outside playing and having fun! (www.Citrition.com)

Jodi shares some tricks to feed a picky eater, summertime snacks that are heathly and provide great options between meals, what to do if your child isn't hungry at meal time, how much juice is too much, and how do you know if your child is eating enough protein and veggies? If you have any questions or concerns about your child's eating habits, tap into this show and gain some insight from an expert on nutrition.

Then Liz Eglinton, CEO of Snapper Rock, which is a line of sun protection beach clothes created for toddlers and kids, joins me to discuss keeping your child safe in the sun. Liz created this line of clothing (which are funky, fun and lightweight) back in 2003 because her family had a history of Cancer and she saw a need to develop a range of clothing to protect our next generation from the sun. Snapper Rock is now sold in over 300 stores in 15 countries and a lot of celebrity parents are now purchasing her clothes for their kids. (www.SnapperRock.com)

I actually have two pairs of swim suits with matching tops, and a beach hat for my son and he absolutely loves them. You will hear on the show how much I rave about her clothes because my son is so finicky. He will change his clothes 3 - 4 times a day on a regular basis, depending on how he is feeling at the moment. And there are certain shirts he refuses to wear. In the mornings I usually let him pick out what he wants to put on, otherwise he will fight with me (which is a battle that neither one of us needs).

The day that his first outfit appeared in the mail I showed it to him and asked him if he wanted to try it on. He was excited and put both pieces on right away. Figuring he would want to get out of the outfit afte trying it on, I asked him to keep it on until his dad came home so he could see it. Instead he loved the outfit SO MUCH he didn't want to take it off for days. He kept it on to show Jeff, then he wanted to sleep in it that night, so I let him, and then he wanted to continue wearing it to his sitters the next morning. Then over the next few days he would keep changing in and out of it, with my needing to wash it twice. Now he wears either outfit to the beach whenever he can!

Liz talks about factors affecting fabric UV protection, the difference in UVA and UVB rays, and the sun protection factors. If you are interested in finding out the best ways to protect your children from getting burned this summer, when all they want to do is be outside, tap into this show and gain a few mothering tips.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Tracey's Tip #20 -- Being a Balanced Mom

Try to focus on living in the moment!

When you are with your children be present and soak up the time together. Cherished memories are captured by living in the NOW.

Kids grow up so quickly and you want to be able to enjoy all the fun statements they say and the wonderful experience they live through.

Be present for your kids and for yourself!

Tracey's Tip #19 -- Being A Balanced Mom

As summertime is upon us, figure out ways to enjoy the summer with your kids.

Spend time focused on having fun, getting outdoors, playing, and taking advantage of a more casual and easy going lifestyle.

Leave the chores and 'to do' list behind and go out and have fun in the sun!

Create those lifelong memories with your family!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

A Parents Worst Nightmare

We actually had a huge scare with Zack a couple of weeks ago. It was the evening and I was arriving home from work. I walked in through the garage, and I heard Zack yelling to me from the stoop above as I began walking up the stairs to come onto the main floor. Suddenly I saw something fall from above onto the steps in front of me and my first thought was that Zack had thrown a doll down to me....and then I immediately realized that it was him. He must have been playing on the railing above and had slipped and fallen about 10 feet from above me onto his head on the wooden stairs with very little padding from a border rug that covered them!!!!

I dropped everything and grabbed him so that he wouldn't fall further down the stairs -- yelled for Jeff who dashed down, scooped him up and brought him upstairs to see how he was. I was freaking. Oh my god, is he alright?

Jeff was checking him all over for any broken bones, asking him if anything hurt, did he know his name, how many fingers were we holding up, who were we etc... But no bump began to form on his head from the fall and I began thinking that he had experienced some internal injuries -- like Natasha Richardson!!!

Once we assessed that he seemed to understand who he was, where he was, etc...I called the doctor to find out what I should be looking for in case there is a concussion.

The doctor was very nice and shared with me that we needed to watch him for three days because symptoms may not appear right away. If he was sluggish, not acting like himself, wanting to lay on the couch and his head continued to hurt him over the next couple of days she recommended that I bring him in. Also, she wanted us to go in and check on him a couple times throughout the night to see that he wasn't in a really deep sleep. We should touch him feet and see that he responds. Not to wake him up but to see that he is conscious on some level, which we did.

We are so lucky! Besides having a headache for a day (because he took a tremendous fall onto his head) and laying on the couch for a little while afterwards, later that night he was up playing and appeared to be fine!

Let's just say that I was holding my breathe for a day or so until we saw that he was fine! I totally believe that the toddler angels were watching over him and took care that he was alright!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

A Relationship Checkup (FM)

One of the main areas that I like to focus on is how to strengthen a couple's relationship and provide tips and tools to stay connected. This can be an especially hard task when adding a baby or children to the family mix.

On this show I am joined by Barton Goldsmith, PhD who has more than 20 years experience as a therapist and was named one of the country's top relationship experts. He has written two books that I absolutely loved called "Emotional Fitness for Couples" and "Emotional Fitness for Intimacy." They are both a very easy read, with great tips for couples that can be easily implemented and accomplished in 10 minutes a day.

Now who doesn't have ten minutes a day to dedicate to their relationship???

Barton made a very interesting statement about why he titled the books the way he did. His comment was that most people spend more time "working out" and on the physical health of their body than they do on their relationship, which is just as important.

Tap into some examples that he shares from his book as well as two important tips about how a couple can handle financial stress in their relationship, and how important it is to "go to bed together" -- and have that time for cuddling and just touching.....

Than Shoshana Bennett, PhD, a regular contributor to my show focused on mom's mental health, joined me to talk about reigniting intimacy after baby. She also talks about the many factors that come into play as barriers to the easy flow a couple enjoyed before becoming pregnant and having a baby. We get personal when discussing intimacy and how often it can be the glue that holds a relationship together. But what happens if it isn't happening in the bedroom.....and how easy it can be to fall into a slump where intimacy becomes the last thing on a woman's mind.

Moms need to be aware of the dynamics that play out around her as she becomes comfortable with her role as a new mom, and how dads may feel left out as moms dedicate all their attention to the new baby.

Tap in to Family Matters and get a relationship checkup.

Tapping Into Your Assets (FM)

Sorry for the long delay in getting back to my blog....but time seemed to have gotten away from me!

As we continue to live in a crazy, constantly changing world, I wanted to focus one of my shows on how parents can utilize their best resources for the benefit of their family. For this show I brought on Kathi Crawford, founder of People Possibilities and a human resource specialist with over 15 years experience to discuss how to tap into your company's benefits such as paternity leave, health benefits, maternity and unpaid leave. She enlightened me on a new family and medical leave expansion act for smaller companies, and the company's requirement to protect your job when you are away on leave.

Then Mindee Doney, Co-Creator of Boogie Wipes and Co-Founder of Little Busy Bodies, Inc. talks about how to utilize your "moms skills" to start a business. At a time when families are looking for ways to supplement their incomes or prepare for a shift with their current job, Mindee shares information about how to tap into your skills and find opportunity within your current circles to generate revenue.

The ladies at Boogie Wipes are also launching a new section on their website for resources that "mompreneurs" can tap into, as well as two new opportunities for moms to work for Boogie Wipes on a part time/freelance basis through the Boogie Brigade, or Boogie Believers. Check out their website to learn more at wwww.BoogieWipes.com.