It’s summer - which you of course already know…but that’s besides the point.  For parents, summer means nights when it doesn’t get dark until after bedtime - that creates special challenges when it comes to putting your kids to sleep.

My kids have pretty set patterns for sleep - typically in bed before 8pm.  So, when it doesn’t get dark until 8:30 they tend to have a few problems getting down and staying down for the night.  We’ve tried everything - from putting them to bed earlier - nope that doesn’t work - they still don’t go to sleep right away and worse they are crankier when they wake up in the morning.  Putting them down later - that just leads to meltdowns of epic proportions.  Shutting the blinds - can’t do that because it covers the airconditioner and when it’s 100 degrees that’s just not a good idea.

You get the point.  So, I’m reaching out - what do you do to get your kids to sleep in the summer?  Is there anything to do or do you just bear with it and wait for fall?

I love to read.  As my mother tells the story - I used to spend a lot of time in my room and books were my only friends.  I think there might be some truth to that…but that’s a different story.  During this past 4th of July I was lucky enough to be able to visit my family on Martha’s Vineyard.  We’ve been there before - and while the island was gorgeous and getting to spend time with family was awesome - one of the key highlights was getting to talk to the owner of Riley Reads.

Riley Reads is a small children’s book store on the island.  Zoe - the owner is a former nanny and book lover who loves to find just the right book for everybody who walks through her doors.  The store is a fantasy land for book lovers. Bright colors with books everywhere.  Nooks and crannies where kids can curl up with a book, cushions and pillows scattered on the floor for the younger set to drop onto with a book of their choice.

I got to talk with Zoe while I was there and her enthusiasm for books was undeniable.  She was able to give me some good tips on books that I can share with my daughters over the next few years.  If you’re ever in the Martha’s Vineyard area - be sure to check out the store!

Although Zoe is an expert at finding the right books (just give her a call or shoot her a note (zoe@rileysreads.com) and ask her to create a gift basket for you and you’ll see what I mean) - she’s new to blogging.  So stop by her blog and give her some love - and while you’re at it - check out her Facebook page - because if you love to read - you’ll love Riley’s Reads!

If you’re ever in the Martha’s Vineyard area - be sure to check out the store!

Note:  This post was not compensated in any way - I simply love the store, loved talking with Zoe and love to read - so I wanted to be sure to share it with all of you!

Reposted with Permission from BucksMontMom.com

It took me a long time to have children so my husband and I had plenty of time to discuss the type of parents we hoped to be someday.  We philosophized based on what we saw from our friends (and their friends) with their children.  We knew it was not going to be easy to be a parent.  After all, when you are the only adults at a birthday party without kids of your own, you get to see different children and different styles of parenting.  As a researcher by nature, instead of a birthday party it became a brainstorming session.

When our son arrived, those plans all changed.  He was a few weeks premature so he came into this world as a tiny little being.  We spent hours upon hours awake at night feelings of endless frustration when he had colic.   They doctor said he had a milk allergy.  We removed dairy and life got a bit better.

As a toddler, we introduced foods the way most moms do with the jarred (organic) items, one at a time to see if there are any reactions.  There were no reactions, just a few items he refused to touch; a typical toddler.  When he could grab at the pieces of food himself he started gagging a bit too when he ate.  I told him to stop taking such big bites.

Since he was a preemie the doctors were not at all concerned about his being very low on the height and weight chart.  Just after his first birthday they told us he should start to catch up.  He didn’t.  He fell off the weight chart and our pediatrician ordered some tests.  In the meantime, he suggested that we do what we could to make our son eat more so he could put on the necessary weight.

Within a couple of months we learned that in addition to multiple food allergies (some potentially life-threatening) he has Asthma and a rare allergic disease called Eosinophilic Esophagitis (known as EE).

With EE, we learned that our son’s body cannot tolerate most foods.  In an instant I went from Casual Mom to the Extremely Overprotective Mom.  It was clearly not by choice.  I suddenly had to be that mom who oversees every tiny little detail of her child’s world.  It’s akin to living in a state of constant awareness and planning.  I am the parent that has to consistently connect and coordinate with daycare providers, teachers, counselors, school nurses and babysitters.  I try my best to strike a balance between advocating for my child and not being a royal pain in the butt.

It is a kick in the stomach to learn that your child is sick.   It’s a kick in the stomach to wonder how your child will deal with it as he gets older.  It’s a another kick in the stomach to wonder whether you should try to have more children for fear that they may have the same disease.  As odd as it may sound, it’s also a kick in the stomach to learn that your entire approach to parenting has to change.

Our son has his moments when it hurts him so much to be different; to be known as The Kid with the Allergies.  He struggles between wanting everyone to know (the more people who know, the more who can help keep him safe) and wanting to crawl into a hole when they stare at his plate and see a cheap imitation of the exciting, delicious foods they are eating.  Most days he has an incredibly positive attitude about it.  He understands that his brain has told his body that some foods are poison and hopefully one day there will be a medicine available to re-train his brain.  It’s the days when he breaks down that are the awful ones. It’s those moments when we know with certainty that we would cut off our own limbs if it meant that he could just eat a slice of pizza.

Our family spends every day hoping that one day there really will be a medicine available to re-train his brain.  In the meantime, I am going to continue to be a proud advocate for my child.  I hope that by doing so, he will grow up to become an advocate in his own right, whether he uses his voice for his disease or another cause.  I hope that he will not see this disease as a limitation, but rather a lifestyle.  I hope he will continue to care for his health and well being.  In the meantime, I am proud to be his Allergy Mom.

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For more information about Eosinophilic Esophagitis, please visit:

American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED): www.apfed.org

Campaign Urging a Cure for Eosinophilic Disorders (CURED): www.curedfoundation.org

Center for Pediatric Eosinopilic Disorders at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: www.chop.edu/service/center-for-pediatric-eosinophilic-disorders/home.html

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Jessica Cohen is the Publisher of BucksMontMom.com.

I don’t know about your family - but we don’t get many vacations around here.  Between my job and my husbands family business, we are both short on vacation time.  Well - technically, I have a lot of vacation time, but the ability to take it and feel like you’re not letting your team down…that’s a different discussion.

So, this past week - we took off on a trip.  We headed up to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.  If you haven’t been, I highly recommend it!  My brother, sister-in-law and parents were also with us and we had cousins visiting from Chicago, so we made it a family event!

I am personally, not much of a fan of the beach - something about sand in places it doesn’t belong and things like that.  However, just because I’m not a fan - doesn’t mean my kids shouldn’t enjoy it.  So, off we headed to the beach.

If you haven’t been to Martha’s Vineyard - I must say that the beaches are some of the best I’ve been to.  We spent most of our time at State Beach - which is difficult to park at - but definitely worth it if you have little children.  The depth of the beach is short, and the water is not very choppy - so kids can play and not be overcome by the waves.  And don’t worry - even if you recognize the scenery from “Jaws” I can assure you that I did not see any sharks!

While my kids were napping - I took off to Vineyard Haven - thanks to free babysitting from my parents!  I found some gorgeous stores - more to come on that in a different post…and had some fun doing some window shopping.

We hung out in Edgartown, saw the July 4th parade, barbecued and had a great time.  But, there is something about taking a vacation with family and kids that is very different from taking vacation with your significant other.

My kids were definitely off schedule - something that doesn’t work very well for my family.  That resulted in several meltdowns and a lot of crankiness, but it ended up ok.  It also is quite a trip to get to the island.  We went through 6 states, a car, bus and ferry - just to get to the island.  It took us about 6 hours including a short overnight nap - definitely not for the faint of heart.

All in all - it went well.  We plan on doing it again next year (cross your fingers) and hopefully as the kids get older - it will get easier.

How about you?  How are you spending your vacation time this summer?  Any plans for a family road trip?  What about your favorite vacation spot?

It’s almost time for the annual Tour de France and since this is a bicycling household I thought I would play on that title for the this post about great playgrounds in my area.

So, this summer, we’re taking a tour of the must see (and the must miss) playgrounds in the Philly area.  This was a personal post for me - I’m always looking for great places to take my kids - so, here we go!

Smith Playground - this is my personal favorite playground to hit.  From my house it takes about 45 minutes to get to (in Fairmount Park, Philly) - so we don’t go that often, but it’s free (although I do recommend leaving a donation) and it’s a great place to go in either rain or shine!  Smith Playground is a great place to go for kids under 12. It has cargo nets to climb, swings for all ages, fun activities and a fantastic wooden slide.  There is even a special section for kids 2 and under to move around in.  And that’s just on the outside.  Inside - your kids can wander around the building and enjoy the toys, dollhouses, and nooks and crannies specially designed for them.

Wilson Farm Park - Wilson Farm park in Chesterbrook, PA is a great place for parents with kids of varied ages.  There are playgrounds for kids of every age group and acres upon acres of open space to ride bikes, run, roll down hills, watch soccer games, and more.  There are picnic tables to eat at and local stores to pick up pizza or even some Rita’s Water Ice if the kids have been good.

Doylestown Kids Castle - Wow - when they planned this park - they hit it big.  It’s in Doylestown, PA - so if you’re not local to that area - it might be a hike.  It took my family about 40 minutes to get there - but it was worth it!  This multi story wood-like structure is amazing.  It has internal slides that the kids can have hours worth of fun in, an external slide that twists and turns and makes kids laugh, swings, pulley’s, and more.  There’s even a stream next to it that makes the perfect picnic spot - so don’t forget to bring your blanket and lunch and make it a day.

Manderach Memorial Playground - this 2006 Best of Philly playground in Limerick, PA deserves the title.  2 amazing 3 story slides that twist and turn around a wooden castle are just the start.  On each side of the castle are play areas for all ages of kids - things to climb, swing, crawl through and play pretend on.  Plus, there is a snack bar so if you forget to bring your water or a snack - you can pick one up while you’re there!  If you do have lunch - you can make use of the massive picnic area.  Grab a table feed the kids and let them get back to playing!

Among other things - each of these playgrounds boasts a bathroom!  That’s a must have for a 5 star pick from PARENTise!  Check out the links to these playgrounds to learn more and let us know if you make it to one of them!  Stay tuned for more of our Tour de Playground!

And, if there is a playground in your area that is a must hit - let us know - we’re always looking for new places to have fun!

Mother’s Day is a wonderful day. Being a Mom means loving, cherishing, raising, supporting, adoring, cuddling, be-friending, assisting, disciplining, celebrating, transporting, feeding, giving birth to, adopting, putting to sleep…children. As a Mom, I know what being a mother means to me, and I know what Mother’s Day means.

However, I’m always surprised by how much the celebration of Mother’s Day means to other people. Every year random people wish me a Happy Mother’s Day. The cashier at the drug store, the teacher at the middle school (as I’m jogging by with my stroller) my friends, my family, the postman, the garbage men, the construction workers on the street by my daughter’s school, my co-workers etc. Hearing all of these people wishing me a Happy Mother’s Day always makes me wonder about their relationship with their mother’s, about their situation, about their role as a mother, or how they feel about their mothers.

I know that my relationship with my Mother wasn’t always sugar and spice. We had our difficulties - we still do - but over the years I’ve learned that mothering isn’t easy - no one is perfect and what looks wonderful on the outside is often much harder on the inside.

I know many women who have struggled with the role of Mother - whether emotionally - while suffering from post-partum depression (or other emotional struggles), physically - dealing with physical disabilities that make mothering harder for them than for others, or in other senses - the single mothers, the mother’s living with difficult spouses, the mother’s living away from family and support systems.

So on Mother’s Day, I like to think about my mother and the evolution of our relationship. I think about other women and their role as mother. I think about women who have not yet become mother’s but who will someday join the ranks, and I think of those women who have never been a mother in the technical sense, but love and adore children just the same. It makes me happy to know that - no matter what happened the day before, no matter what your situation is, no matter what you struggle with - on Mother’s Day - the whole world celebrates you!

Happy Mother’s Day!

I wanted to share some other special posts about Mother’s Day that I enjoyed. So check out:

1. All About Mom’s - Special Sauce in the House
2. Mom’s=XOXO - Girl’s Gone Child
3. Now is the Moment to Hold Your Child - Her Bad Mother (Huffington Post)

This week I finally got to see the movie BABIES! I’ve been dying to see it since I first heard about it coming out.  I was invited to the event through the Philadelphia Social Media Moms - so I trotted on down to the Ritz Bourse with a friend and prepared to fall in love with 4 of the most adorable babies from around the world.

If you haven’t heard - BABIES is a movie about 4 infants and their families from around the world.  There is Ponijia from Namibia, Mari in Japan, Bayar from Mongolia and Hattie from the United States.  Each of the children are incredibly unique but yet so similar.

It was hysterical to watch each of the parents from such different parts of the world, with incredibly different backgrounds behave so similarly with their children.  The children all went throught the different childhood milestones so similiarly.  Watching each of them crawl in such different situations - in a  Japanese apartment, in a San Francisco park, in the Mongolian desert, and across the African landscape - but act so similarly while doing it was a fantastic reminder of how similar we all are.

Everyday we all work so hard to show how unique we all are, but yet at the core of it - we are all alike.  Each of these babies took their first steps wobbly and unsure, they laughed for the first time with bright eyes and big smiles, they cried when they got hurt, ate like they’d never be fed again, and looked at their parents with love and affection.

For me, it was so nice to get out with a girlfriend, sit in a movie theater and be absorbed in the world of babies again.  Definite must see! Check out the trailer!

Disclosure: I was provided free tickets to the showing.  The tickets were not received in exchange for published content.

Is raising healthy kids important to you?  Do you ever ponder whether or not your kids are getting enough vegetables?  How to help your children make healthy choices about food and activities as they get older?  Ever wander through a grocery store and try to read nutritional labels to your infant in an effort to educate?  Have you watched Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution and tested your childs knowledge of different vegetables?

Let’s be honest, we all want healthy kids.  And sometimes, it just isn’t easy to figure out what path to take to get there.  The once a year doctor’s appointments are chock full of vaccination information, developmental milestones, scoliosis testing and other really important things - sometimes the basics slip by the wayside.

That’s why it’s great when you have a chance to really engage your children around healthy living and healthy activities.  Once a year, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia puts on a Healthy Kids Day - an event designed to provide information and activities that educate and engage around healthy living for children.  If you have a chance - bring the kids down to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts and take part.  Join the 5k walk, visit the vendor tables - learn more about healthy food and drinks - and have some fun!

*For disclosure purposes - I do have a “real job” and I am employed by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  This blog is not related in any way to the work I do at CHOP and is not endorsed or supported by CHOP.  The opinions stated here are entirely my own.