If you have children, than you are fully aware of the spell-bound gaze fixed to the television and permanent couch imprints left by our kids day in and day out. With the 500 channels on television, interactive online video gaming and the cold outdoor air – it’s no wonder our kids aren’t motivated to go outside. Most of the time we find them indoors and it feels as though they aren’t even there. As a parent, this is another one of your many jobs. You can motivate them to get out, ’see the world’ (as our parents used to tell us) and enjoy time outdoors. The summer months are slowly approaching, winter holidays coming to an end and spring breaks just around the corner – you have the perfect opportunity to arrange some quality family time. That is, until you try to un-glue your kid from couch and hit the kill-switch on the tube. Their complaints of boredom are peppered with your futile attempts to entertain them. If you have the feeling ‘all hope is lost’ and are looking for a solution, then this article is for you. Following are some great ideas to encourage your children to get moving…and all them involve a little strategic negotiating. Read the rest »

Once you get the basics down (feed the baby, burp the baby, change the baby, rock the baby to sleep) you’ll be faced with the inevitable curve balls, the problems you have to solve in the moment. With some field-tested solutions, and your innate smarts, you’ll be prepared for anything!

1. The Last Diaper

A time may come, if it hasn’t already, when you are down to one diaper—or no diapers!—either at home or while on the go. You have options:

• Advanced Warning: The following isn’t as gross as it sounds. If you have only one diaper left, chances are you have some sanitary pads in the house or, if you’re in a mall or restaurant, you can buy one from a ladies room vending machine. Stick a highly absorbent pad into that last diaper. The pad will absorb all or most of the mess and enable you to just change the pads until you can get your hands on more diapers. Read the rest »

We’ve all heard of the terrible twos and we’ve all seen a toddler flail themselves on the ground in the midst of a temper tantrum. What we usually don’t notice is the look of embarrassment and frustration that flashes across the face of the mother of that toddler. If we do manage to lock eyes with the mother of the toddler committing the tantrum, we quickly look away, lest she see the pity in our eyes. Some might look at that mother and feel quick to judge, wondering how she is raising a child who would flail as such…those people are not parents. For the mother of a toddler, a simple trip to the grocery store might exhaust more energy than a marathon. It’s about time we thought of some unique gifts for the mother of the toddler. Read the rest »

Q. I’m struggling with getting the kids to take some responsibility for all the work that needs to get done at home.� I don’t want to spend all my time fighting with them over chores, but I would love some help around here!

By the time children are about seven years old, most parents have begun to think, “It’s about time she did a little work around here!” and the battles begin. “When are you going to feed the dog?” “That garbage needs to be taken out right now!” “Honey, how many times do I need to ask you to make your bed!”

It’s good to expect children to take part in the work of the household. Children are quite capable, and feel a lot of pride in a job well done. But, like us, they acquire feelings about the jobs they’re expected to do. And when those feelings are negative, children can drain a lot of their parents’ emotional capital on the way to completing their household jobs. Read the rest »

When the brakes slammed on our economy the past year, many of us felt our lives simply spiral out of control.�

The floor dropped out of the aspects of our lives that were on shaky ground prior to 2008, and those things that seemed safe no longer seemed infallible.� In addition, perhaps the ways we once found comfort in the past (like shopping) were no longer advisable or either possible with the tightening credit market.� Read the rest »

The circus is coming to the Knoxville Coliseum from January 22nd – 25th, 2009. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present BOOM A RING, an action-packed circus spectacular where energy bursts out of the ring, into the audience, and bounces back to electrify the Ringling Bros. performers. Circus-goers will enjoy an up-close and personal experience as they sit feet away from beautiful white tigers, majestic Asian elephants, and thrilling acrobats from around the world. The action in Boom A Ring bounces from one high high-energy act to the next, featuring a daring crossbow demonstration that takes archery to new extremes, a gravity-defying performance on the whirling Wheel of Steel, a high wire extravaganza that tests the limits of human balance and breathtaking aerialists gracefully soaring over the audience’s heads. Boom A Ring is a one-of-a-kind experience that engages all of the senses while providing children of all ages with a day at The Greatest Show On Earth they never imagined possible!

Arrive an hour before show time for the All Access Pre-show – FREE to all ticketholders, and meet Ringling Bros. performers and animals, learn circus skills and enjoy a taste of the circus before the show even starts!

Event Info:
Show Time: Jan 25th 5:00 PM
Show Time: Jan 25th 1:00 PM
Show Time: Jan 24th 7:00 PM
Show Time: Jan 24th 3:00 PM
Show Time: Jan 23rd 7:00 PM
Show Time: Jan 22nd 7:00 PM

Ticket Info:
Ticket prices listed above are the per ticket price at the Knoxville Coliseum Box Office. Tickets may be purchased through the web site or at any of the following outlets: Coliseum Box Office, Charge by Phone – Tickets Unlimited (865) 656-4444 or toll free (877) 995-9961.

Your family is growing, and you need more room.

The real estate market is slow, though, so instead of buying a larger home, you may be considering finishing your basement to gain a playroom, office or exercise room.

Maybe that’s your New Year’s Resolution, and you plan to hit Home Depot for your supplies and get started on the project. Read the rest »