Now that the big celebration of our Independance Day is calming down. I thought I would discuss child reactions to fire works.

Over the weekend we went to several fire works display celebrations in Michigan. Most started with an afternoon of hot dogs and popcorn. As we walked around and visited carnivals and craft fairs. Everything centered around the red, white and blue theme.

Family barba-Q's and kids swimming. Clowns with balloons and just about any game you wanted to play could be found at the county fair in honor of Independance Day.

As the evening grew dim and everyone became more excited about the beautiful fire works display that would be taking place soon.... more

Well it is about that time of year when the good fruits and veggies will hit the market.

All sorts of grapes, apples, bananas and peaches. Along with Onion, cucumber, lettuce and tomatoes. Everything you could ask for fresh and at your finger tips.

Strawberries are already in season and every where you look you can find strawberry pie or shortcake on the menu.

All the trimmings for a good pot roast and bbq are at your finger tips. Good salads for every meal. A perfect time to find all the good nutrition your body... more

What is A spanking? I took some time and asked several parents about how they chose to discipline their children. Over all I received some good answers from these parents.

Parent One said: I discipline my child by giving them time outs. If a time out does not work I take away their privileges and I send them to their room.

Parent Two said: I tell them twice not to do something or to stop. If they keep doing it. I spank them. If there is still an issue I ground them.

Parent Three said: I ignore the behavior until it becomes disruptive then I ask them to please stop.... more

Teaching children to occupy their own time is a valuable lesson. However, you have to find the happy balance between alone time and parent child time.

The summer season is a good time to choose a day and plan a project for you and the kids to do. I call our special time "Mommy and Me" time. Of course it is just as important to have "Daddy and Me" time also.

So far we have managed to plant a flower garden. Bake blueberry muffins and cup cakes. Cook a breakfast. Go to the park. And, see a Movie together.

We spent the early evening this week seeing "Garfield,... more

The world of technology today never stops amazing me. For some of our parents out there the new security camera systems, could be just what they need.

A friend of mine had some vandalism problems early last summer. So they purchased a security camera and mounted it out on the porch. It took about one week and what they had expected as child vandalism was explained away. It seems they had inherited a very frisky raccoon and he was really playing havoc with their yard ornaments and trash bins.

They really felt silly when they recalled all the harsh thoughts they had about... more

The Family Watch Dog is a well known web site that allows you to type in your address and bring up a current map of any Child Sex Offenders that may be living in your area.

Everyone has rights and I respect that. Until they do something that makes your rights and the rights of your children more prominent than theirs.

It is always good to know the hot spots in your surrounding community. When do most of the trouble makers hang out and where is it safe for your children to play.

Family Watch Dog http://www.familywatchdog.us/... more

Everyone is concerned with keeping their children safe during the summer. It is no surprise that the cell phone industry is addressing this issue with dollar signs in their eyes.

All the top cell systems are coming out with their own child safety cell phone. The Migo is one of the top products on the market and the company can not keep them in supply. The demand for the phone was more than the market could handle.

Of course this lead to another company placing their line on the shelves also. Now there is a new twist. One that... more

One of the coolest events of the summer in our community is the "Bike Safety" campaign.

When the police see a child who is practicing safety rules while riding their bike (helmet on) They pull them over and give them a bike safety award. It is a coupon for a free ice cream at our local McDonalds and a round sticker for their bike.

The children can be caught "Being Safe" by every officer in our city at different times of the day.

Angela got her first sticker on Monday. She came home just to tell me she won the first safety... more

As parents we all wonder at times if our children are up to the same development levels as other children their age. That is a normal question among good parents.

Of course we tend to brag a little when our child is better at this or that. We immediately pick up on something our child excels at from amongst other children.

It is all part of being a good parent.Shy children are not anti social. It does not mean they are not smart or behind the other kids in the learning curve. They are just not as verbal about what they do know.

One... more

Michigan has been in the news lately more than I would care to know for child abuse and neglect or death.

Once again today the news spotlighted a five year old girl who died in her home.

When the police arrived. They said the child had been dead for about two hours. The mother told them "She did not feel like taking the child to the doctor."

The home was dirty and unlivable. Protective Services removed two other children who were living in the home also.

It should not take a year to lock this mother up and sentence her to life in prison. Her neglect is more than obvious. However our wonderful legal system will abide by all of her rights to a fair trial.... more