LilSugar

Non Voyage: Bringing the Deep Heart of Texas Home

LilSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00:39 -0700

As our non-voyage moves across the country, we head on south to the great state of Texas where cowboy hats and boots abound. The destination offers up a number of kid-friendly activities that can be experienced right at home.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center introduces both kids and adults to wildflowers and other native plants. Pack up the kiddos for a lil hike and see just how many different flowers they can find on the trip.
The Alamo may be one of the main attractions in San Antonio due to its historic place in the Texas Revolution and the role Davey Crockett played in the battle. Help tots re-enact the battle by building a real-life backyard fort. Allow them to eat, sleep and play in the fort for a day and see how creative they can be with their limited space.
Austin is known for its live music festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. Check your local calendar to see if there are any live shows planned for your area. If not, start your own! Gather up the neighborhood kids, have them each pick a song they want to "perform" and call all the parents around for an evening of fun and music as your tots take the stage. To make the evening even more festive, consider adding some colored lightbulbs to the lamps.
You can't get more Texas than a little line dancing. Grab your tots and swing them round with an afternoon of toe stepping just for them. Either search for some line dances on YouTube, or use a video as your guide.
If the plains of Texas are calling out to you, consider recreating the ultimate ranch-hand experience with these ideas.
Chowing down has never been more fun than when you let your kids build their own meal. Tex-Mex-style items like burritos, tacos and fajitas are delicious and nutritious. See who can include the most colors in their creation.

Parenting Classes Required for Students in Texas

LilSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:00:15 -0700

Teenage pregnancy costs Texas taxpayers more than one billion dollars annually so the lone star state is now requiring that high school students take a parenting class. As part of the public school curriculum, teens will be taught fourteen one-hour lessons on topics from the price of diapers to healthy relationships and father involvement. Do you think it is a good preventative measure?

Texas Teachers Toting Guns: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

LilSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0700

Educators in a small Texas town will be allowed to pack pistols once school is back in session. Though just 200 people live in Harrold, a place that is almost absent of crime, the school board unanimously approved the decision for teachers to carry concealed weapons since the campus is located near a major highway. The district will not disclose which staff members have guns. Would you feel comfortable sending your child to learn in an environment with firearms? Source

Parents Try to Stop Obama's Speech From Airing in Schools

LilSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:17:35 -0700

Do we send our children to school to learn or monitor what they learn? Parents throughout the country are objecting to many public schools' decisions to broadcast President Obama's speech next week. The Commander-in-Chief's address which will be made directly to students at a high school in Virginia, is scheduled to be streamed live on the White House website. Many schools across the nation also plan to air it in their classrooms.

According to the White House, the speech will emphasize "the importance of education and hard work in school, both to the individual and to the nation." But groups of parents, including some in Texas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina, and Utah, are accusing the government, and their school districts, of forcing the Democrats' agenda on their children by not reviewing the speech prior to presenting it. Do you think these parents are overreacting?

The Next Food Network Star Keeps a Kid-Friendly Kitchen

LilSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:00:35 -0700

There are barely enough hours in the day for moms to get everything done so some cut corners in the kitchen. But, now that The Next Food Network Star, Melissa d'Arabian, a stay-at-home mother, will be cooking up quick, budget friendly recipes to inspire fellow busy women, we may see more parents tying on aprons. The 40-year-old Texas mama explained that her show, which will air next Sunday, focuses on feeding four people a meal for $10 or less. The competition's self-proclaimed dark horse who had no professional culinary experience, used tidbits about cooking for her daughters (like serving raw brussels sprouts so they have the crunch of an apple) to wow the judges in an unconventional way. Prior to winning, Melissa explained why she wanted to be The Next Food Network Star. She said:

I have four kids (aged four and under), but I think the fact that I'm not "supermom" makes me accessible. I want parents across America to breathe a sigh of relief when they see me on TV and to say to themselves, "if she can do it, then so can I."

Son Saves Mom's Life After She Was Struck by Lightning

LilSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:36:57 -0700

Teach your children what to do in an emergency, because you never know when lightning may strike. Nine-year-old Tristan Coxwell called 911 when his mother, Kimberly Krone, was struck by lightning in the family's Texas kitchen. The calm child kept his cool and an eye on his siblings while he gave the operator information. Help arrived and after a brief hospital stay, the 29-year-old mama of six is said to be doing fine. How have you prepared your child for these types of situations?

Should Law Enforcement Get Involved in Sibling Spats?

LilSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:00:06 -0700

Siblings can be best friends one minute and miniature ultimate fighters the next. While arguments can be as minor as name calling and backseat squabbles, they can also be intense with hair pulling, scratching and shoving.

Texas police recently arrested, handcuffed and charged a 10-year-old girl with a Class A misdemeanor assault for fighting with her 13-year-old sister. The playground quarrel began when the younger sister would not take instruction from her older sis. Push came to shove and an observer called the police who ultimately arrested the younger sibling for family violence. The case is currently awaiting review by the District Attorney.

Are sibling spats just part of growing up or should police intervene at some point?

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Who Will Watch the Kids at a Destination Wedding?

babysugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 05:00:35 -0700

When a friend is getting married 1,500 miles away, families have to decide whether to bring the kids or leave them at home. Sometimes the choice is made for them but other times, parents must weigh the options. For my last destination wedding, my husband and I chose to bring the tots with us. While it was a fun family trip, it posed one major dilemma - who would watch the children while we go to the wedding? In my case, Facebook came to the rescue.

Some people are wary of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, but they can actually come in quite handy for mamas in need. After booking our flight, I logged onto my Facebook account and posted a status, "Does anyone have a babysitter in the Texas hill country?" Within minutes, I had three replies offering help and phone numbers. While none of my friends live in the area, they have friends who do and were able to put me in touch with their babysitters. In an hour, I landed a sweet and responsible young lady to watch my children. Just as expected, she showed up on time and ready to work. Other sites like Sittercity and Care Square provide references for caregivers all over the country, but I prefer a direct reference from a friend. And, it's free!
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Donor Sticker on License to OK Reproduction After Death?

LilSugar — Sun, 03 May 2009 06:00:05 -0700

The will to donate one's organs is as simple as a sticker affixed to a driver's license in many states, but preserving the deceased person's sperm for relatives to reproduce after the death seems to be a bit more of a gray area. A grieving wife may ask for a loved one's sperm so she can fulfill her dreams of bearing her late husband's child. Should this privilege extend to other family members?

Recently, a mother in Texas asked for her 21-year-old's sperm because she plans to eventually find a surrogate to carry her late son's child. Do you think loved ones should have this power or should people be required to register for this much like organ donation in the event of death?

Should Mother Be Able to Preserve Son's Sperm?

LilSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:00:45 -0700

A Texas judged ruled that a mother could preserve her deceased son's sperm. Nikolas Evans, 21, died last week after being attacked in Austin, and his mom, Marisa Evans, requested the sperm so she can fulfill her son's wish of having children. It is said that she will seek a surrogate at a later date. What's your opinion of this situation?