Category: Smart Mom’s Guide

By Cammie Jones Do you remember going to a concert as a teen, and after leaving the show how your ears would be ringing and you couldn’t hear normal voices? This hearing loss was only temporary as by the next day, your hearing was restored. I always wondered if this loss of hearing would have any lingering effects later in life (When I got “old” — which I was never going to do, by the way). Now that I have teenagers, I do worry about their ability to hear with the constant use of electronic devices and ear buds....

By Cammie Jones When it comes to homework at my house, it can set the tone (good or bad) for the afternoon during the school year.  The kids come home after a long day at school, usually have a snack and then dive right in.  I’ve always grappled with how much to help them.  How much should I be helping (if at all) and at what point do I let them sink or swim? Give your child autonomy Erika A. Patell, assistant professor of educational psychology in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin, says...

By Cammie Jones Way back in the olden days (the 80s), you just didn’t hear about so many kids playing travel sports and if you did know someone, it was most likely a boy playing soccer. Times have certainly changed and today you see travel football, baseball, dance, cheerleading, volleyball, basketball and more.  It’s not just for guys anymore either – girls are just as heavily involved. As a parent how can you decide if playing a travel sport is best for your child, and, maybe more importantly, for your family? PROS Team Bonding Making new friends off and...

By Cammie Jones While juggling day-to-day activities, it is often difficult to know what you are cooking for dinner much less know how to plan a weekend or week long family vacation. Where do you start? How do you plan the perfect vacation when you are barely getting through the day? Here are a few tips to get the ball rolling and remember, there are no “perfect vacations” so just roll with it (no pun intended), keep it real and you will successfully plan and execute an epic adventure for you and your family. 1. Pick Your Destination Are...

By Cammie Jones I am guilty of sometimes doing too much for my girls, even though they are completely capable of doing it themselves. Some of the reasons for this are selfish from my end because I want the task done my way (e.g. folding clean laundry and putting it away for them). I still make my kids’ lunches too. Why do I still do this for my 10, 14 and 16 year old girls? My mom made me an egg salad sandwich and packed a real coke for me every day through high school. It was such a...