To Vaccinate or Not Vaccinate - That is The Question?

So much controversy over an injection to prevent certain types of cervical cancer. As a nurse of over 20 years I gave this a lot of thought -- A LOT! I read about it, talked about it, read some more, thought some more , talked some more ( sorry,I'm a wishy washy Pisces) And I finally decided "no" simply because it's just too new and unproven to be safe. Also I became very skeptical when the drug companies began their media blitz and we all know that is just about making $$$$$$$$$$$. My dd is 18 and she has the facts and can get it herself if she wants to. However she is a shot chicken.

Anyway I found this on So Sioux Me and had to post it.

A mother who radiates self-love

and self-acceptance

vaccinates her daughter

against low self-esteem.

Naomi Wolf

Don't you love it?

Tracee Sioux has great ideas on her blog about raising independent girls go read and enjoy it.

Dress Up Doll Clones

Ok so it's time for a grumpy post and here's whats causing it:

Barbie and Bratz dolls. In all the Barbie videos every character has the same barbie body and face shape. The whole video line should be called the "Barbie Clone Zone " It makes no sense. You can add variety to the female form and still have them all meet the "10" standard our crazy society thinks is ideal . Look at any professional cheerleader squad - there's a variety of women's shapes and faces. Mattel thinks the only difference between women is their clothes and hairstyles! I loved Midge, remember her, Barbies BFF( apparently not forever she is no longer made)- she had freckles and a rounder face, a normal person "look".

I can't comment on the Bratz doll stories or videos because their facial design is so extreme with make-up they look like ugly caricatures of prostitutes. So abnormal looking I can't get past my first impression to learn anything more about them. I did see an ad of a movie coming out about them - all I can say is YUK!
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Is there a line of commercial dolls with variations in face and body shapes? Maybe not but these two just drive me crazy because of the "perfect body" image that makes girls think they are lacking in their appearance. I urge Moms to avoid these dolls and find something better for their dds to enjoy. How about dolls of real people and videos of real women? Think of any?

Princess Jewel Dress Up Dolls

Does your girl love playing with dolls?

(Do you? Tell the truth....)



There are so many free online dress up doll games. Have your daughters discovered them yet? Just google "dress up dolls" and have fun exploring all the sites!
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How would she like to design a doll she can keep and enjoy after the computer is turned off? That's exactly what our Design-A-Doll kits are -a dress up doll craft that you can make at home. The large variety of supplies included in every kit allow every doll to be totally unique. The princess' above are just two examples of what can be made. Check out these and other styles at Candee Crafts.com

Tame That Tween Tongue

Has your fun loving adorable child turned into an unrecognizable fresh mouthed "Tween"? Do you wonder what went wrong? Did I make some horrible parental mistake to cause my child to morph into this alien nasty being? Her friends don’t act like this…………….or do they?
Rest assured you are not alone. Most all kids change in the tween years, that's 8 to 12, and develop a testy unpredictable attitude towards you - " THE PARENTAL UNIT". They begin to see the freedoms and power of adulthood and they want to grow up as fast as possible. But of course they cannot speed up time and so they are very impatient and frustrated and they speak and act out towards you. You, who makes the rules and they see as the person who won't let them have any fun.
Why can't I stay up all night? Why can't I go shopping every day? Why can't I watch TV all day? Why can't I walk to my friends house at night? And on and on and on…….. Of course you must say "NO" a lot and then the fresh and sometimes nasty tongue gets out of hand.
Try these tips to help curb the tween tongue.
1. During an afternoon, when there is harmony in the household, have a "sit down at the table" talk with the tween and both parents. Let them know you will not tolerate rude language from them and they will be disciplined for it. Be specific about what exactly crosses the line, and what the punishment will be. You will need to allow some behaviors from them that are acceptable expressions of frustration such as eye rolling, deep sighs, refusing to look at you , etc. These behaviors are not horrible, just very annoying.
2. Stick to the plan and don’t argue with them. When they are rude don't get emotional. Wait awhile until the tension has subsided and then tell them they have earned a punishment of_______ (whatever you decide is appropriate). It's very important that you don't get caught up into arguing with them. Once you tell them "No you are not allowed to do that because_____________", walk away from them. If they keep nagging, ignore them and get away from them. Answering them once is enough. They enjoy the arguing, believe it or not, because they feel in control of you, so simply refuse to do it..
3. Give your tween some additional privileges as long as she has been behaving . Allow a little later bedtime. Allow her more of her own choices in clothing and room decor. Extend curfews for special parties and activities. These little freedoms send a message - That mature behavior has it's rewards.
4. Assign your tween some household chores. Chores teach two things. They learn that growing up means assuming some of the work of managing a home and family. They also build self esteem because they are doing something that is important.
5. Together with your tween, plan and do some fun family activities. Even if they act like this is boring or they just "don't want to", make them do it anyway. They may act stubborn at first but they will soon forget to be grumpy and have a good time. Let them bring a friend along if you think this will encourage participation. Your tween needs to know that you enjoy being with them, even if they act like they don’t care. Deep down inside they do care very much.
The tween years bring on new challenges for parents.
The fresh words they use can be shocking and hurtful to parents. A combination of discipline for the rude behavior and allowing some beginning adult responsibilities can curb this problem. Let the tween know the plan, stick to it, refuse to argue, allow some grown up responsibilities, and enjoy fun family time as well. Keep the parent and tween relationship both respectful and loving. The difficult teen years are next and you want to head into age 13 and beyond with a solid foundation.

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A New Dress Up Doll Game That's Fun and Beneficial

I found something new and interesting for tweens to enjoy and benefit from. It's an online networking game site about fashion and dressing up dolls, where girls can be a designer or a store owner and learn all about the "biz". Designing, planning, purchasing, marketing and managing the finances of a business.- all pretend of course. Parents and teachers are "liking it" not to mention the 58 thousand plus tweens who are signed up and playing.

Google "dress up dolls" and you will find tons of free games that, to me, are just click and point coloring games. This new site FashionFantasyGame.com is truly teaching the girls some skills about running a business. They also must network with other store owners and designers to succeed. This is wonderful for them to learn the benefits of camaraderie and teamwork between women. Women in the real business world need to learn to work together and not undermine each other, and this game supports this concept.

A few drawbacks.........You have to pay a fee,( $30.00 for 6 months) to get to use jewelry, hats and handbags in the designing phase and become a VIP member. Pretty cheap fun IMO.

The three models you choose from are 3 different skin tones but all the same body shape- "tall and skinny" Not at all realistic which makes our tweens AGAIN feel like the don't measure up unless they are this exact body type. On the other hand if they had a chubby or plus size model choice, no one would pick it anyway. I have a doll design party biz, as you may know, and when I first started out I offered 3 body types. Every single kid chose the tall thin dolls and the other dolls sat sadly alone and ignored. After 6 months I eliminated them from the stock. Those of us who are short or chubby or plus size can live life to the fullest and be ecstatic.(I am) But if we could start from scratch and choose our appearance............tall and thin would be it!

Third concern- the site is a marketing tool for a clothing line for tweens and that's cool except several pieces of the line (skirt, shorts and pants) are displayed worn with the waistline 3 inches below the bellybutton and this is too naked and provocative for ages 6 to 12. They are not swim suits. Not what I like to see on girls or women of any age but over 18 it's their choice. I know I have an 18 year old! Luckily her "nude under belly look" is rare and for the beach, but when she was a tween and up to 17 we had a few fights over how much skin should be displayed for all the world to see. We had one big fight in a store in Key West. At age 12 she wanted a tropical wrap around skirt that just covered the "pubes" ! I refused to allow it and she had a "snit fit" that drug on through dinner...............but she never asked me again for that style. Yeah! One point for the Mom.

Mother's Day Fun Craft - Easy and Homemade

I just realized how bad people might feel who read my last post and can't "be with" their Mom on Mother's Day because they live to far away, or have to work or some one's sick or a lot of other reasons. The next best thing is to make her something special, so she can feel you are with her. Crafting for Mom is not difficult, especially with a glue gun. Here's the simplest idea in the world.



Mother's Day Closet Sachets

Go to the fabric store and buy a quarter yard of some really pretty fabric, and 2 yards of matching ribbon. Get something you know your Mom would like- her favorite color or flower or animal etc. Next go to the flower store and buy some lavender or any other flower/fragrance you know she loves. Cut the fabric into squares of 4" by 4". Glue 3 sides closed and then stuff them with the lavender and glue the 4th side closed. Cut the ribbon into 6" long pieces and glue each end to one corner of the stuffed squares, making a loop. These can now be hung over the hangers in Moms closet to bring a lovely fragrance to her clothes.



Once the scent fades, she can spray them with her favorite perfume and hang them up again!

I have some sachets my Mom made for me many years ago and I refresh them every time I want a little pick me up surprise in my closet. Kids, tweens and teens can help with this craft and don't forget to wrap them up in pretty package and use the left over flowers to decorate the Mother's Day gift.

The funny thing in my house is that I share a closet with my dh! I wonder if he enjoys the closet as much as I do?

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

I'm cheap I admit it. It's partly because I'm craft wise and want to make things of better quality than I see in the stores. Also because I can't stand to see people who shop as a pastime when they don't need anything. I hate materialistic people who buy designer purses and clothes, expensive jewelry, fake nails and hair extensions, ............ such a waste of money. Women can be pretty and happy without this over priced crap. I'm a sales shopper and I buy quality things but not designer s_ _ _. Any way I saw this commercial where the women says "What gift should I get my Mom on Mothers' Day? She has everything and says she doesn't want anything?" Then she proceeds to shop anyway. Hmmmmm..........how about doing what she asks. STOP THE SHOPPING LADIES ! If your Mom truly is loaded with all the comforts of style and home then skip the boring Mother's day gift and find another way to celebrate with her. Try just spending time with her, take her to lunch, have her over for a meal and relaxation, go to a chic flick together, a concert, a play ...........you get my point. Mom will remember the fun and laughter you share way more than one more duplicate standard"Mother's day gift" item to put in the closet or jewelry box.

If after all my rambling you still have to buy Mom a gift .....here's one she'll always remember!

Parents & Tweens Take Note- Some Nightmares Are Celebrity Realtiy

Ever remember having a nightmare where you find yourself in a public place, like work or school, and you realize your in your underwear? You wake up and your so relieved it was just a dream. Thank God.... Totally embarrassing!!!!! I personally have horrible dreams where my teeth fall out. No big Freudian enigma here.............I'm scared to death of the dentist. Being a nurse this is really embarrassing too..... Anyway, worse than being at school or work half naked would be say ...........teaching in a classroom or speaking to a large crowd, on a runway, Or MAYBE AT YOUR WEDDING! AND YOUR FAMOUS, AND THE CAMERAS ARE FLASHING IN YOUR FACE! OMG Is she loony bin bound? Mariah Carey is it another nervous breakdown? No she's smiling. GIRL, GIRL, GIRL, What were you thinking ...Oh never mind it's a celebrity and I forgot they do not think rationally, or at all.

Moms I beg you, start a file for your tweens called " stupid things you should never do in public" (note to yourselves - lots of these things are great fun in very private company- smirk) Put in most of Madonnas' costumes (and movies), add Britney's crotch shot, Cher's see thru Oscar dress and Mariah Carey's Wedding Gown .....I mean no gown!

I've got it ....she's really starring in a movie parody called "Please Runaway Bride" or " My Big Fat Half-Naked Wedding".

It's so demeaning when women make sexual tarts of themselves, and a BRIDE! Tell me what you think -any doubt, over the top?