Topic: Parenting

The “play date…”

By Beth Britton | September 28, 2008 |

"Woman getting ready..."

Play dates are funny things.

The morning of, maybe even the night before you set about planning what you will wear. It’s kind of like when you were in high school and were going on a date with a guy, only difference is the debate over what you wear is now a little different.

As a teen you wanted to have it all together, smell nice, hair a certain way, and make- up just perfect.

As a mom on a play date, same thing, only this time you strive to not make it look like you have it all together.

You want to be approachable, right? You don’t want to give the impression that Gucci and pearls are the norm for you. Or maybe that’s just the impression you want to give, and if that’s the case then I think someone needs to tell you

• A. You’re not fooling anyone, and
• B. The rest of us are quietly fuming that you got to take a shower this morning!

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

Opinions are like Belly Buttons…

By Beth Britton | September 24, 2008 |

I am finding recently that a lot of opinions are being tossed about. With this being an Election year it seems everyone has something to say. Everyone thinks what they have to say is the truth. Everyone thinks what they have to say is important. So I say to everyone, you are right.

We all have a constitutional right to say what is on our minds. Our country was founded on that belief. However, more and more it seems that what someone has to say is not always welcome. In some cases even its forbidden, or even chastised. Who are we to slap a hand or remove a blog, or delete a comment that someone has posted just because its what they perceive to be as right, whether we agree with it or not!

It’s a delicate time we are living in. You must be careful what you say to someone. You must always be politically correct. You must always be conscious of someone’s feelings.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Issues, News, Opinion | No Comments

“The Naughty Chair” tames the dangerous side of independence

By Beth Britton | August 29, 2008 |

naughty
Main Entry: naugh·ty Pronunciation: \ˈnȯ-tē, ˈnä-\
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): naugh·ti·er; naugh·ti·est
Etymology: Middle English noughti, from nought Date: 14th century
1 a: archaic: vicious in moral character. Check
1 b: guilty of disobedience or misbehavior. Check,check
2: lacking in taste or propriety. Sometimes, yes. Check, Check, Check

Being a former Preschool teacher I understood that sooner or later I would have to institute a “Time-Out” area for my toddler. However, I didn’t realize it would be sooner, rather than later.

As I saw the approaching need I began to scout out local antique stores and Malls, yard sales, garage sales, and Ma and Pa, Grandma, and Grandpa’s attics, looking for just the right stool. Requirements were as follows: «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Education, Issues, Opinion | No Comments

Making ‘Cyberbabies’ is not child’s play

By Christine Anne Piesyk | July 7, 2008 |

Just when I became complacent, when I thought I’d seen everything…along comes “Make a Baby,” the newest and most appalling link to date on MySpace and other social websites. Yes. You read that right. “Make a Baby.”

I was happily checking out new postings on a young relative’s MySpace website when I stumbled upon this program, colorful centered on his page.  This application, though “not developed by MySpace,” is accessed through and used onMySpace, which should make it not just a parental freak out but a serious MySpace concern. Look up “Make a Baby” in search mode and you’ll find a blurb that says “Make babies [plural] with your friends. Clink the link below to start.” The site is run by Sibblingz and the link is http://www.bebo.com/makeababy. It was created in November, 2007. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, Issues, News, Opinion | 1 Comment »

House GOP review for 4/10/2008

By Tennessee Republicans | April 11, 2008 |

The House GOP Review is a weekly feature that gives Tennesseans an in-depth look at what our Republican state legislators have been working on this week, and a glimpse into what’s planned for the coming week at our state house

Consensus reached on cable bill

Legislative leaders reached a consensus this week on the much-anticipated “Competitive Cable and Video Services Act.” Legislators held a press conference this week to announce that they had come to an agreement, stating that all parties involved were pleased with the progress that was made, and that consumers would be the real winners of the hard work.

Representatives from the competing cable industries have worked on a compromise with legislative leadership for the past 14 weeks. The bill was put on hold a year ago, with the legislature adjourning before a decision was reached. It passed House Commerce Committee this week, and is now headed to Finance, Ways and Means. Leaders said they believe the passage of the bill will expand competition, jobs, choice for consumers, and investment in Tennessee with broadband infrastructure.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | No Comments