As you get older you learn so much about yourself and life in general and we all have little pearls of widsom that we want to pass down to our little ones.  If you don’t have the time to do this yourself, then Jaime Morrison Curtis has you covered with her Prudent Advice: Lessons For My Baby Daugher (A Life List for Every Woman).  In this little gem of a book she lists 500 lessons for little women – everything from advice on hem lines, places to see and things to do in a lifetime.  My very favorite advice is #171 “There Is No ‘Man’s Work’”.  Prudent Advice is a very quick read and a lovely keepsake.  These lessons are just important for you as they are your your daughters.

If you want something a little more personal, then try out Morrison Curtis’ My Prudent Advice: Lessons For My Daughter.  This is less of a book and more of a journal.  My Prudent Advice basically provides you with an outline and you fill in the pages with your own advice to your daughter.  I can’t wait to start filling in the pages with my own personal advice for my tiny dancer.

These books would make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift for your mom friends and sisters. We can forget the importance of passing on our knowledge and experiences to our little ladies.  It’s priceless.

Today is my tiny dancer’s 3rd birthday so we are out celebrating. Be back tomorrow!

You may remember last year I posted about a European campaign aimed at girls to attract them to the field of science called “Science: It’s a Girl Thing.”  Though I couldn’t agree more that we need more girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields the way the message was conveyed was pretty horrible.  When I learned about L’Oreal’s  “For Girls In Science” Initiative I was interested to see how L’Oreal conveyed a similar message.  I visited the site and breathed a sigh of relief.

I think it’s ok to let girls know that behind every lipgloss is a team of scientists developing formulas.  My problem with the European “Sciene: It’s a Girl Thing” campaign was how the conveyed the message.  The L’Oreal “For Girls In Science” is less Charlie’s Angels and more Dr. Sally Ride.

ForGirlsInScience.org is a great resource for young women who are interested in STEM fields.  The site is entertaining featuring videos and quizzes but also includes features on Women In STEM, information on Opportunities and Careers and lists camps where girls can participate and build communities.

I’m currently reading The End of Men: And the Rise of Women by Hanna Rosin and she discusses how women are outnumbering men in graduate schools including law, business and medicine.  It’s only a matter of time before more women enter STEM fields and I think the messaging is an important way to get young women interested in these fields.  I think L’Oreal’s “For Girls In Science” is a great resource and we need to start providing more good examples for our young women.  If you have a daughter or know a young girl interested in science or math, please share ForGirlsInScience.org with her.

Remember being pregnant with your first child? I do – I was clueless. I read as many books as I could and asked as many questions to the moms in my life. And if you went through the same process, then you know there are as many ways of doing things as there are people to ask. If you don’t have time to do a survey, research and analysis (and really, who does?) then it’s time for Lulibox.

Created by a busy new mom, the LuliBox contains 14 essential items needed for the first week of your newborn’s life and is shipped directly to your doorstep on a date you specify. The LuliBox contains items for dress, feeding, bathing, as well as special fitness and beauty product gifts for mommy, such as, among others, discount passes to Barry’s Bootcamp and Destination Maternity’s Edamame Spa, and Odacite organic skin care line 7-product skin care regimen.

The box costs $99 and has items valued at almost $200 and makes a perfect baby shower gift. You can order yours online on Lulibox.com.

You may not have the net worth of Warren Buffett but if you have children, if you have not already you should definitely consider estate planning.  Kern Singh of the Singh Law Firm was kind enough to share some information with us at the March F.U.N. Mothers’ Club Meeting and here’s a brief summary of what we learned.

You may not have the net worth of Warren Buffett but if you have children, you should definitely consider estate planning.  Kern Singh of the Singh Law Firm was kind enough to share some information with us at the March F.U.N. Mothers’ Club Meeting and here’s a brief summary of what we learned.

Key Definitions

First, it may be helpful to define a few key terms:

Estate Plan – a set of documents designed to “manage your assets and make health care and personal care decisions if you ever become unable to do so yourself.”

Probate – “A court-supervised process for transferring a deceased person’s assets to the beneficiaries listed in his or her will.”

Fiduciary  – “From the Latin fiducia, meaning “trust,” a person who has the power and obligation to act for another (often called the beneficiary) under circumstances which require total trust, good faith and honesty.” Legal Dictionary

Trustee – A person who manages a trust and the assets within it for the benefit of the beneficiaries of the trust.

Guardian – A person who has been appointed to take care of a child, and in the case of the death of the child’s parents, will act as the child’s parents.

Goals and Elements of Estate Planning

The goal of estate planning is to avoid probate because probate is costly, takes a long time and is not private.  A deceased person’s assets will become a matter of public record and the court will determine how long the process will take and how much it will cost.

A good estate plan will include four important documents: (1) Living Trust; (2) Pour-Over Will; (3) Durable Power of Attorney; and (4) Advanced Health Care Directive (also called Health Care Power of Attorney).  What follows is a brief description of each document and how it works.

1. Living Trust

“A living trust is a legal document that contains instructions for what you want to happen to your assets when you die.”  While you are alive, you are the trustee of your living trust.  When you pass away, the person you named as a successive trustee will become the trustee.  A living trust allows you to bypass probate and by avoiding probate, the trustee can pay your debts and distribute your assets in a private and timely manner.

The assets within the trust will typically include real estate, life insurance and other accounts and property.  To place the assets within the trust you just need to change the property deeds and financial accounts to name the trust as the owner.  You will continue to file the same tax returns.

2. Pour-Over Will

When you having a living trust in place, your will is called  “pour-over will” and has two major functions: (1) it designates the trust as your desired way to distribute assets; and (2) if you have children under the age of 18, you can designate guardians for them.

3. Durable Power of Attorney

Before you may become incapacitated due to health or age, it is important to designate someone you trust to manage your financial affairs in the event you are not able to do so.

4. Health Care Power of Attorney

In the event you are terminally ill or in an accident, your Health Care Power of Attorney will designate someone to make medical decisions for you.  The document will also list your preferences for accepting or denying medical treatment such as whether you would want to be kept alive on a respirator.

Choosing an Attorney

Creating an estate plan is of the utmost importance if you have property or children under 18.  Though creating the four documents may seem overwhelming if you visit an attorney they will do all of the work for you.  It’s best to find an attorney specializing in estate planning and someone who you feel comfortable with to get the best results.

Estimated Cost of an Estate Plan

So how much will this cost you?  I know that’s the next question because that was mine!  I can only speak to what The Singh Law Firm charges but feel free to shop around.  The cost for a married couple is $1600 and the fee includes creating a living trust, pour-over will, durable power of attorney and health care power of attorney.  The fee covers all updates to the documents in the future.  If you own more than one piece of property, or a business, then the fee will go up accordingly.  F.U.N. Mothers’ Club members receive 10% off their fees so don’t forget to mention F.U.N.

You can learn more at SinghLawFirm.com.  If you are out of state or not in the Bay Area, you’ll need to use an attorney in the state that you are located as estate laws are different state-to-state.

Unless otherwise noted, all quoted material comes from The Singh Law Firm pamphlet.

*I am not a practicing lawyer and the article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.  Please see an attorney for legal advice.

You can learn more at SinghLawFirm.com. F.U.N. Mothers’ Club members receive 10% off their fees so don’t forget to mention F.U.N.

Sorry for the lack of posts but we’ve been holed up dealing with the stomach flu. The Tiny Dancer has had a rough few days. It’s really hard dealing with stomach flu as an adult but I can’t believe my poor baby has to deal with this. What makes it harder is that she can’t fully communicate what she feels so it’s a bit of a guessing game sometimes. Fortunately, she’s recovering but we’re taking it slow and steady as far as introducing food.

Here are some tips that I found helpful in dealing with my Tiny Dancer’s stomach flu and I hope they help you.

Clear An Area
The little one was very lethargic and the first day or two we weren’t sure if she’d be able to keep down what she was eating or drinking so I designated an area for her to recuperate. Since we don’t have a leather couch (mental note: if you have kids a leather couch is necessary) I covered the couch with towels and had a vessel near her at all times.

Stay Close
Since the Tiny Dancer is too young to say, “hey mom, I’m going to vomit” I had to keep a very close watch. I can read her well so I could see it coming but the keyword is “see.” You – or someone – has to keep an eye on them at all times at least for the first few days.

Stock Up
Sitting in a car can make your child even more nauseous – even if it’s just for a trip to the doctor so stock up on what you need. Kids need to follow a special diet when recovering from the stomach flu so try to get everything you need in one stop – and hopefully while someone else is home watching the little one.

Pedialyte Apple Flavor and Ice Pops
I have tried generics and many flavors and the only one my Tiny Dancer will drink is the apple flavored one as it’s very close to apple juice. Pedialyte also sells ice pops (they look like otter pops) and these are easier to give to cranky kids – who doesn’t like an ice pop? Just be sure to look for them on the shelf – not in the freezer section.

Clean Up Immediately
Not that you would let puke sit around, but the sooner you clean it up, the more likely you are to get rid of odors and stains. I’ve been doing a few loads of laundry a day:( Have the carpet cleaners, fabric cleaners, disinfectants and deodorizers handy.

And don’t forget – wash your hands! It’s bad enough for the little one to have the stomach flu – we don’t need mama getting it too because who’s going to take care of you?

While I was in Las Vegas at the shoe show, I came across a booth of Hello Kitty sneakers so naturally, I was drawn to the booth. There were hundreds of new Hello Kitty styles for kids – too many pink ones for my taste though, I would have preferred to see more styles in primary colors. But pinkness aside, what really piqued my curiosity were sneaker wedges for kids.

The sneaker wedge has taken over as the “fashion” sneaker for women. While I don’t understand the concept of a sneaker wedge for women (WHY take something comfortable and make it uncomfortable?), I absolutely abhor the idea for children.

More and more our kids are growing up much faster than generations prior and I’m starting to wonder why we’re so intent on taking away childhood. Kids should be running, jumping, chasing and exploring. How is a kid supposed to do that in sneaker wedges? Would you let your child wear heels? Why are sneaker wedges any different? And don’t get me started about sexualizing little girls at younger and younger ages. Slapping Hello Kitty on the sneaker doesn’t change what it is – a heeled shoe for kids.

I know where I stand on sneaker wedges for kids. What do you think about them? Am I over-exaggerating? Too sensitive? What’s your take?

Today is the National Education Associations Read Across America Day and since Dr. Seuss’s birthday is tomorrow, the annual initiative has a Dr. Seuss theme. There are events planned today and tomorrow across the United States where adults will read to children – the more red and white striped hats the better!

You may remember I recently wrote about the benefits of reading to children and if you’ve been lagging today is a great day to get started. Remember as Dr. Seuss said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” (I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!, Dr. Seuss)

Have a wonderful weekend!

This year’s cold and flu season is particularly nasty so Kleenex asked me to share some favorite remedies, tips and tricks for beating colds and flus and reviving your spirit. When you have a cold or flu you have to just wait it out but there are ways to get relief when you are sick. Here are my five favorite tips and tricks to keeping my sanity while getting over a cold.

Chicken Soup
My number one remedy is chicken soup. This is no old wive’s tale people, there’s scientific evidence to back this one up. (CNN). The ingredients often found in chicken soup are found to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body and may even inhibit the production of mucus. Not to mention that the warm deliciousness that soothes your sore throat. If you don’t have homemade chicken soup a canned or dry variety will work but nothing tastes like mama’s chicken soup. In the winter when I know it’s inevitable that the family will get sick I make a big batch of my mama’s chicken soup and freeze it in individual portions so I have it at the ready when the colds strike.

Hydrate
One of the most important things to do when you have a cold or flu is to stay hydrated. Whether I’m drinking bottled water, orange juice or herbal tea, I’m drinking something throughout the day. Tea soothes my sore throat and good ol’ water keeps the mucus on the move out of the body.

Soft Tissues
Speaking of mucus, I have boxes of Kleenex tissues in every room. I use an empty box as an empty box to put all the used tissues in. Not any tissue will do, I always get the softest tissue I could find because if I don’t, after a few wipes the skin around my nose gets irritated. No need to make yourself with rough tissues!

Rest
Sometimes when I have a cold I look at it as a way to catch up on some movies or reading but the inevitable happens – I fall asleep. I guess that’s my body’s way of telling me that’s what it really needs. Resting is really the only way to get better. There have been times that I’ve worked through a cold and I think I made the cold last 2-3 times longer because I wasn’t giving my body the break it needed.

Chocolate Pudding
Okay, I will admit chocolate pudding is straight out of left field. I have no idea why, but chocolate pudding makes me feel better when I have a cold. Actually, it makes me feel better any time but there’s something about its soothing quality when I have a cold. About ten years ago I had a cold and I happened to have chocolate pudding in the refrigerator. The silkiness had a soothing effect on my sore throat and as a chocolate addict, chocolate always makes me feel better. Since then, I need to have chocolate pudding as the ultimate pick-me-up when I have a cold. It’s weird, but delicious – and definitely helps me feel better immediately.

Hoping you don’t have to use these tips, but hope they help in case you do!

This cold and flu season, make the care complete with Kleenex® brand, and together we’ll turn a seemingly small gesture into something bigger, to make everyone feel better.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Kleenex via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Kleenex.

Last night I attended my first local mothers’ club meeting and the guest speaker was a woman from a local non-profit Raising a Reader. I’ve read to the Tiny Dancer since she was about one month old but hearing about the importance of reading to kids made me want to share some of what I learned last night.

The meeting started with comparing two brain scans. The scan on the left is a healthy brain scan while the one on the right is what they call “deprived.” The speaker asked us what we thought the difference was between the two people. The answers from the crowd included hugs/affection, having been read to as children, and one-on-one attention from adults.  The correct answer was … all of them.  The person on the right was an orphan and lacked hugs/affection, having been read to as children, and one-on-one attention from adults.

She then went on to show the parts of the brain that are active when hearing words, seeing words, speaking words and generating words.  Since different parts of the brain are activated with the different activities it’s important not just to read to kids but to also engage them in speaking, seeing and generating words.

Some of you may be great book readers to your kids, but everyone can improve.  Here are the 3 “Rules for Book Sharing” shared to us by Raising a Reader:

1.  Follow Your Child’s Pace

-Read just one page or the whole book.

-Never force your child to sit and read because it will become a chore.

2.  Make it A Conversation

-Comment:

“Look at that big brown bear!”

-Ask Questions:

“What animal is that?”

“How many __ do you see?”

“Why is that little girl smiling?”

-Respond with More Information:

Child: “Look, mommy! Duck!”

Parent: “You’re right, it’s a yellow duck with a beak.”

3. Have Fun!

-Use silly voices and movement.

-Sing songs.

-Connect stories to the child’s life.

Raising a Reader recommended reading to your children at least 15 minutes a day.  I’m so happy that I started reading to the Tiny Dancer at a young age because she loves books and is constantly coming up to me with a book in her hand saying “Read! Read!”.

If you don’t have lots of books at home don’t forget your local public library!  In addition to having lots of great programs for kids, you can take out books for your children – for free (so long as you return them on time.).  Reading with your child is also a great way to spend some quality time with your little one(s).  I hope this info gives you some ideas on how to make it more fun for you and your kids.

For more information on Raising a Reader please visit rarbayarea.org.