Last Wednesday began as a typical work day.  I was sipping my coffee and responding to work emails when I heard my cell phone buzz.  After a few minutes, I grabbed my phone and noticed that my daughter sent me a text. I assumed she had left something at home and needed me to run it to her school, but that was not the case. I could not believe what I was reading: “Police cars are all over the neighborhood and by the school. We are under lockout!” My daughter is an eighth grader at Seminole Middle School.  I immediately tried to reach the school’s front office, but all the lines were busy. It …

This past Sunday evening, I intentionally kept things low key. I winded my kids down early so they could get a good night’s rest. The dreaded week of FCAT, the state’s comprehensive assessment test, began that Monday morning. I wanted my kids to be alert, full and ready to focus.  My goal was to keep their anxiety about the test as minimal and stress free as possible. Schools all over the state are undergoing the FCAT. Over several days students will have to take the standardized test used in public schools for third through 11th grades. It’s a mandated exam by the Florida Department of …

We don’t always get it right when it comes to parenting. We often learn as we go and make the best decisions we can, for our children at the time. When it comes to the topic of parenting, Lisa Hein of Seminole has certainly walked the path. She offers strikingly candid, real and compassionate advice based on her experience raising her son.  Now an acclaimed parenting author, radio talk show host and speaker, Hein reaches out to help other families by sharing the mistakes and struggles she endured during very trying times.  Her gift is her message to other parents that they are not alone in …

“Maybe later, mommy isn’t feeling well right now.”  I can’t count the number of times I’ve said this to my kids, especially when they were younger.  Raising children today can be exhausting for anyone who’s balancing schedules, schoolwork, a household, career, relationships and extracurricular activities. Managing all of these responsibilities can be both physically and mentally draining.  For healthy parents this can be difficult, but for a parent living with a serious or chronic illness this is even more challenging. This is an issue close to my heart because I live with this struggle every…

“Ouch” at the gas pump this morning! Everyday the price is creeping up and driving up other costs as well. I am sure that I am not alone in my grocery bill doubling for the same amount I normally purchase. I get it. Everyone is feeling the pinch and has to make up for it somehow, but it’s really putting families in a bind. It’s already a difficult economic time.  My kids even asked for an increase in their allowance!  When it seems as if a dollar can’t stretch as far as it used to, there are ways families can cut back and really make a difference on the wallet. Do you really need it? …

In my generation, there seemed to be a pretty decent mix of kids that went home on their own after school and kids that had parents waiting for them.  I remember coming up to our front walkway each afternoon knowing my mom would have a snack waiting for us at the kitchen counter.   The front door would usually be open allowing the aroma of sweet smells from inside to pass through the screen door. It was warmly inviting and there was always a sense of security and comfort with that simple consistency. I did, though, have several friends who walked to empty houses each day and were often alone …

Getting my daughter to answer her cell phone almost always results in getting sent straight to her obnoxious voice mail with Lady Gaga screaming back at me. But send her a text and I get a response within 30 seconds flat. What I receive, though, is a jumble of characters and jargon that I don’t understand. Such as “ttyad” for talk to you after dinner or “hk” for hugs and kisses or “idk” for I don’t know. There is something greatly missed when a human voice is replaced by a buzz on my cell phone. As technology becomes more advanced, real-time, portable and integrated, a rift between parents …

In today’s baby industry, there is more availability and selection when it comes to baby food and products than ever before. For new parents, it’s especially hard to know where to begin when deciding on the right first foods for their infant. Like many new parents, Courtney and Brett Washmuth of Sarasota were faced with the same challenging decisions. They also realized they had a unique need that soon turned a family dream into a reality. In 2008, this young, avid hiking and marathoning couple decided to take on a 23-mile adventure on the Appalachian Trail with their 9-month-old infant son, …

Every morning, my alarm goes off at 5:45 a.m. to remind me that the craziness of day was about to begin, yet again. After feeding the dog and letting him out, taking a shower, getting my son up and moving, and rushing out the door to take him to school, I realize I’m half way to work and I’ve left my laptop at home.  My veins are throbbing in my neck from the stress and I haven’t even had my first cup of coffee yet. I trudge through the day jumping meetings, managing project teams and staying on top of deadlines. My small reprieve comes from the drive home at lunch to let the dog out. But as …

It all started when my son Matthew turned 9-years-old and began asking me if I would get him a dog.   Having three cats and a hectic schedule, I really didn’t think getting another pet would be ideal for us. I travel every other month for several days and was not willing to kennel a pet that often so other arrangements would need to be worked out. I also knew that I did not want a dog that would require a lot of activity. I was used to low maintenance cats and wasn't sure I wanted the work that came along with a canine. I have a full-time job and our family has many obligations with extra …

After a long day at work I was mentally and physically exhausted.  In my last hour at the office I envisioned myself walking through my front door, changing into more comfortable clothes, and hopefully winding down early for the evening.  After dinner and getting the kids going on their homework, I finally settled into a hot bath and started to relax. The silence was abruptly breached with a high-pitched, blood curdling “MOM! She said something mean to me again!” followed by obnoxious banging on the bathroom door. My kids were at it again, and this time I was over it. I simply closed my eyes …

Which Way is Quicker? According to Mapquest, it will take 30 minutes to get from Land O' Lakes to Tampa International Airport if you travel South on Dale Mabry Highway and then onto I-275. Mapquest says that route is one minute faster than traveling East and taking the Veterens Expressway to the airport.  What do you think? Traveling this week?   Be mindful of the snow storm impacting many of the flights in and out of Tampa International Airport.  One good resource for checking your flight status is this flight tracker. In addition to the indoor play areas, there are also displays of public …