Formal Attire Guide

Breastfeeding and Formal Events

Okay, so by now you have probably seen the highly-controversial cover photo for TIME magazine current issue. If not, you can find it and a short article regarding the topic here. For many, the photo has sparked some heated conversations both online and offline whether breastfeeding toddlers (ages 3 and up) is appropriate or not. While attachment parenting and extended breastfeeding are the topics discussed in the TIME article, this really isn’t what the real controversy regarding the photo is all about.

I think the big issue for many is not only the manner in which this mother is breastfeeding (no doubt TIME used this picture because it would spark interest and controversy) and the fact that it’s being done so blatantly in public. Now, before I get myself in trouble here, please understand that I truly believe that breastfeeding is a wonderful thing for a mother and child to experience and I don’t have any problem with it being done in public whatsoever.

I’m simply stating, that for most people, the big issue with breastfeeding is whether or not it should be done in public and, if so, to what extent a mother should conceal herself and her child from others during this time. So, what does this have to do with formal events?

If you are planning a formal event, such as a wedding, bridal shower, graduation party, work social or some other formal event, keep in mind that you may have some breastfeeding mothers in attendance. As the host or hostess, it is your job to make sure that all of your guests are comfortable for the entire duration of the event.

While your breastfeeding guests may be perfectly comfortable breastfeeding in the same room as all of your other guests (covered or not) this may make some of your other guests very uncomfortable which can cause tension to quickly spread…something you want to avoid at all costs as you want all of your guests to have fun!

So, what can you do? The best option available to you is to choose a venue that has a small room off of the room where the main event will be held and designate this room as a Mother and Baby Room. Then, once your guests begin to arrive and you begin taking their coats, briefcases, etc. you can offer to take the diaper bags from the mothers with infants and tell them that they will be in the Momma and Baby Room, or whatever you choose to call it, and that this room is already set up for diaper changes and breastfeeding.

When you do this, you are letting your breastfeeding guests know that there is a place available for them to nurse in private and that this is where they are expected to do it. No one should be offended by this, especially if you set the room up with a small changing table, air-tight trash can and a rocking chair suitable for breastfeeding.

Getting Kids Outside for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching, which may have you scrambling for gift ideas and looking for ways to keep the kids entertained so mom is able to fully enjoy her special day. One of the best ways to help mom relax on Mother’s Day is to get the kids outside so she can enjoy a day of peace and quiet. This is especially true for those with young children. In fact, a day of peace and quiet can be a Mother’s Day gift all by itself! Here are a few ways you can get the kids outside for Mother’s Day.

1. Yard Work – I know, nobody likes the thought of doing yard work, but this is actually a great way to get the kids outside and out of mom’s hair. Additionally, this can be part of her Mother’s Day gift from you and the kids. After church, get the kids changed out of their formal suits and/or fancy dresses and head to the Wal-Mart, Lowe’s or another store that has a lawn and garden department. Purchase some pretty flowers, gardening gloves and any other tools you need. Then come home and get started! Pull the weeds out of the flower beds, mow and weed-eat the lawn and plant the flowers. This is a gift that mom is sure to enjoy!

2. Go to the Park – This may or may not be an activity that mom will want to go on. If she does, that’s great, but she may just want a few hours of quiet time to herself. Either way, taking the kids to the park for part of the day is a win-win for everyone. The kids will love running around and playing on the park equipment and mom will enjoy sitting back watching…or spending time alone. You can also make it a little more fun by packing a lunch and having a picnic.

3. Miniature Golf and Sno-Cones – Another fun Mother’s Day activity is to take everyone to play miniature golf. Regardless of whether your family is competitive or not, miniature golf is fun for everyone. Depending on how many people you have in your family, this activity can last an hour or more. Once you’re done golfing, head over to the local sno-cone stand and enjoy a cool treat!

The ideas above are just a few outdoor activities you can engage your kids in on Mother’s Day to free up mom’s time on this special day. Of course, mom can also be involved in any of these activities if she wants to. However, a day of peace and quiet is something that rarely occurs for most moms, so she may decide to stay home and enjoy a quiet house!

Are the Kids Ready for Preschool?

While the school year is coming to a close for the majority of parents, there are many more who are getting their little ones enrolled in preschool for the 2012-2013 school year. For those of you who are enrolling your first child in preschool, you are probably experiencing various levels of fear, anxiety and excitement all at once. I know, because I’m right there with you!

The school district where we live is one of the best respected school districts in the area. Since preschool isn’t a requirement, there are only 40 spots available, making it a first-come, first-serve program. So, enrollment was set to start at 5p.m. and people start lining up at 4 a.m.! Yes, you can mark my husband and I as one of the crazies out there. Our philosophy was, “if you can’t beat them, join them.” That was yesterday…today, I’m happy to say that our son has an official spot in the school’s pre-k program.

That being said, I’m now getting excited, nervous and anxious about school starting next year. These feelings have left me scrambling for more information about how I can make sure my son is ready for preschool. Here is what I’ve found:

·        Using the Restroom – By the time children enter preschool, they should be potty trained. However, this doesn’t mean they won’t ever have an accident. Before school starts, work with your child about using the bathroom. Make sure your child understands that (s)he needs to tell an adult when (s)he feels the urge to go. Also, this summer is a great time to start teaching your child how to manage his/her clothing when using the restroom. For instance, if your daughter wears a lot of girl dresses, skirts and/or leggings in addition to the normal pants, you might help her get used to undressing/dressing herself over the summer during potty breaks.

·        Making Introductions Easier – For many kids, preschool is the first chance they get to work on their social skills with other kids their age (on a day-to-day basis). This can make the first few days, weeks or months of school nerve-wracking for them. So, help ease this stressor by teaching your child how to introduce himself/herself to others. Start by talking about introductions at home and then when you’re out and about, help your child introduce himself/herself to others. Then, when school starts, making new friends will be easier.

·        Dining Etiquette – Eating at school can be a whole new experience for kids who haven’t ever been in a group setting like this before. Help ease their discomfort by working diligently at home with them over the summer. Teach them how to properly hold their utensils and if you will be packing lunches, teach them how to open and close containers without spilling the contents.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Okay, May is here which means it’s time for the father’s and kids everywhere to start thinking about what to get mom for Mother’s Day. When you take the time to sit down and think about it, there’s no denying that mothers make many sacrifices for their families every year. For example, instead of spending the extra $100 she’s saved on herself for a spa day, a mom won’t hesitate to put it towards a child’s doctor’s bill, her daughter’s prom dress or even haircuts for the entire family if it’s needed. Therefore, there’s no excuse to not honor her on one day out of the year.

This year, Mother’s Day is on May 13^th, giving you plenty of time to put something together that shows mom how much you appreciate her and all she does for you. Below are some Mother’s Day gift ideas for all age groups. Even if you don’t like any of the ideas below, the bottom line is that you need to do something to make mom feel special this year.

1.      Breakfast in Bed. You may not have a lot of extra money floating around, but that’s okay because you can still make mom feel special by getting up early and fixing her breakfast in bed. This is a gift that everyone (except mom) can get involved in, regardless of age. Toddlers can help stir the pancake batter while older members can take care of the baking and cleaning up. Make sure you’ve got a card (can be homemade) and it’s signed when you bring breakfast in to mom.

2.      A Day of Peace and Quiet. This may sound a little too simple, but believe me – all moms dream of having an entire day of peace and quiet. Therefore, why not make up a cute, hand-made coupon voucher to fit in mom’s Mother’s Day card explaining that today (May 13, 2012) mom will be able to enjoy a day of peace and quiet. There will be no fighting amongst the kids and mom will not be bothered with petty issues all day long. Yes, this may take some effort for you and your siblings to achieve, but mom will definitely appreciate the effort…and her day of peace and quiet!

3.      Jewelry. All mothers enjoy receiving jewelry from time to time from the people they love. If you start saving now and pool your money together with your dad and siblings, then chances are you’ll be able to pick out a nice piece of jewelry for mom this year. Since this is a gift that most moms don’t get very often, it’ll be the perfect way to surprise mom this year!

4.      A Spa Day. Remember the example I gave at the top about how moms sacrifice a lot of things for their kids? Well, this Mother’s Day, it’s time for you and your family to sacrifice for mom. Get her a gift certificate to a local spa for a treatment that you know she’ll enjoy. It may be something simple like a facial, pedicure or massage – or you guys may have enough money combined to treat mom to several spa treatments. Whatever it is you decide on, mom will love the fact that you thought enough of her sacrifice something you wanted so she can go and be pampered.

Looking for Something for the Kids to Do This Summer?

I’m not sure how many of you have young children at home, but I have a 4 ½ year old little boy who has spent the last 9 months in an all-day 3 year old program at one of the public schools. While many parents think all-day programs for 3 year olds are a bit much, my son actually loved it. Not only did he love it, but he thrived with it. The program was offered by one of the nearby local schools and we chose to enroll him because he was getting bored at home. In addition, he is an only child (until this August) so he really needed the day-to-day social interaction the program offered him.
Anyways, my son and I both enjoyed the benefits of the all-day program, but now that summer is merely 10 days away for us, I’m panicking about what I’m going to do with him all summer. I’m afraid that he’s going to get bored really easy. Maybe there are some of you out there who can also relate? Even if your children are in pre-K, Kindergarten or another age in grade school, I’m sure I’m not the only one looking for ideas to keep the kids busy this summer.
I figured I would go ahead and share with you what I’ve figured out so far…just to help you get some ideas going through your head about what you can do with your kids this summer.
T-Ball – My son loves to run and play various sports. This Saturday will be his last indoor soccer game, and so we enrolled him in t-ball again this year. Last year was his first year to play, and it went pretty well considering he was the youngest on the team. We play through our local YMCA because the league isn’t competitive at this age (3-5 year olds on a team) and is mainly for an introduction to the sport. So, we’ve got him signed up to play again this year. There are only 8 games, starting in May and wrapping up in the middle of June, so it won’t be that long for him.
Swimming Lessons – Once t-ball is finished, I’ll get him signed up for swimming lessons. Swimming lessons are also offered at our local YMCA and they are once a day for two weeks (5 days a week) lasting only 30 minutes per class. He thinks swimming lessons are fun, but I do it to ensure he learns about water safety and how to swim. I’m considering signing him up for two summer sessions this year since he’s a little older.
Art and Science Camp – We have a local organization that puts on summer art and science camps for kids ages 4-12. These camps are only 5 days each and you can choose for full-day or half-day. I’m enrolling little man in one week of each for only a half-day (8am-11:30am).
Above are the three main things I have planned for my son this summer. I thought about sending him to a Kid’s Day Out program once or twice a week, but I want him to be able to enjoy the summer playing at home as well as enjoying some other fun activities. Of course, we will be doing some other fun things this summer like visiting the local Splash Pad, going to the Zoo, attending Bible School and catching a movie or two. We’re also planning a fun week-long vacation to Colorado as well. And, at the end of the summer, my son will be dressing up in a formal tuxedo as the ring bearer for one of my friends’ wedding. So, I think the summer will be a pretty busy and fun one for us!
When considering things for your kids to do this summer, try not to cram pack the schedule too much. And, if your kids are young, like my son, consider just opting for half-day programs and/or camps to ensure there is plenty of down time at home for the kids to enjoy too!

Summer Programs for Young Children

As summer draws closer by the day, many parents are starting to search for things for their young children to be involved in over the summer. This is especially true for those of us with children who have been in all day programs during the school year. The thought of an entire summer with your little ones home every day scares some of us. Why? For me, it’s the thought of my child becoming bored.
 
After being in an all-day school program for the past nine months, my 4 ½ year old son has gotten used to being around other kids his age and pushing his limits as he learns new things five days out of the week. Now, for the summer, he’s going to be at home with his mom…bored out of his mind. At least, that’s what I’m afraid of. Are you feeling the same way? Below are some summer programs for young children offered by many communities that will help provide some relief from the mundane for both you and your child during the summer.

1.    Art Camp – The great thing about young children is that they love to explore through creativity. Many communities have summer art camp programs available for children ages four and up. These programs may be half-day or full-day, depending on the place putting the camps on. Regardless of how long the days are, your child is sure to have fun!

2.    Tumbling and Dance Camps – Another popular summer program for young children is tumbling and dance camps. The great thing about these camps is they work for boys and girls as they are generally offered at the same time. If you have young girls who love to dress up in pretty fancy dresses and dance about the house, then dance camp is the perfect solution! For boys, tumbling is a great option because they still get to run and jump, but they learn how to do it safely.

3.    Music Camps – You may have a child who enjoys music more than anything else. If this is the case, then you should definitely check into the music camps your community offers. Many children begin learning how to play various types of instruments when they are young (around three or four), therefore, there are many summer music camps offered to young children, as well as older children.

4.    Bible School – Finally, another popular summer program many young children attend is Bible School. More than likely, your community will have several churches putting on a Bible School program during the summer.
The majority of the summer programs listed above for young children are generally only one or two weeks long, making it possible for you to enroll your child(ren) in more than one activity over the summer to help keep them busy!

Boy or Girl: What Am I Having?

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting things a woman can experience during her lifetime. I remember when I first found out I was pregnant. My husband and I had been trying, but not too seriously, and I took a test when I realized I was two weeks late. As silly as it sounds, we were both shocked when it came back positive.

That feeling passed quickly as we began to tour the baby aisles at Wal-Mart, Target and Babies R’ Us. We couldn’t help but look through the racks of baby girl dresses, little boy suits, onesies, tiny shoes, socks and other types of baby clothing. The weeks seemed to drag on forever while we waited for the 20 week ultrasound that would reveal if we were having a boy or a girl.

You may be just as anxious as we were waiting to find out the sex of your unborn baby. Below are a few fun tips for how you can determine the sex of your baby before the ultrasound. Keep in mind these mini-tests are just for fun and may or may not correctly predict your baby’s sex.

1.    Food Cravings – As you probably already know, craving various foods is part of pregnancy. It has been said that if you crave primarily salty and/or sour foods then it’s a boy. However, if you’re craving a lot of sweets, then a little girl may be on the way instead!

2.    The Drano Test – This is an easy test you can conduct at home in about 5 minutes. All you need is a glass and 1 tablespoon of Drano. Take the glass to the restroom and relieve yourself in it. Next, mix 1 tablespoon of Drano in with the urine. If the Drano is blue then it’s a boy, but if it turns green it’s a girl.

3.    Ancient Mayan Test – Think back to your age when you conceived. Is it an even or odd number? Next, what year did you conceive in? Was it an even or odd number? According to this ancient test, if both numbers were even or odd the baby will be a girl. But, if one number is even and the other odd, the baby will most likely be a boy.

4.    Break Outs – This is an old wives tale that claims that baby girls “steal” their mamas’ beauty. Therefore, if you’re having some major break out issues, you must be carrying a little girl.

5.    The Pencil Test – Take a sharpened pencil and stick a paper clip through the eraser, then hook the paper clip to a rubber band. Have someone hold the contraption over your wrist (hold your hand out palm-side up). If the pencil starts moving in a straight line, it’s a boy but if it goes in circles then it’s a girl. Keep in mind, that this test will tell you the sex of all the kids you’ve had – in the order you’ve had them. So, if this isn’t your first pregnancy, you will have to wait until it tells you the sex of your previous child(ren) before it reveals the sex of your current baby.

Need a Favor?

If you’re planning a wedding, then you may have already started thinking about the wedding favors. These are the small little gifts that the newly married couple sends home with their guests in an effort to say “Thank You for Attending.” These gifts do not need to be big or expensive, but just a small token of your appreciation to acknowledge the time sacrifice your guests made to share the day with you. Below are a few ideas to think about.

1.    Candy Coated Almonds – Candy coated almonds are one of the most traditional types of wedding favors given because the almond is a symbol of fertility. Therefore, when brides and grooms send candy coated almonds home with their guests, they are wishing them many years of fertile living (happiness, wealth, health, etc.). Purchase some small pieces of colored tulle (to match your wedding colors) and wrap up a few pieces of almonds and tie with a decorative ribbon to complete the look.

2.    Decorated Fortune Cookies – Today, you can order specially made fortune cookies to match your wedding décor. Your guests will love these delightfully yummy treats and the treasure they find inside!

3.    Small Photo Frames – Everyone has special photos of people they love placed strategically throughout their homes. Therefore, why not give them a decorative photo frame that they can take home with your picture in it? Or, you can always place the photo frame at each place setting with the guests’ names in them if you prefer to let them choose their own picture to fill it with. Either way, these are great wedding favors your guests will appreciate.

Group Birthday Parties for Kids

Today, my son came home from school with an invitation to a classmate’s birthday party – he’ four. This is actually the second birthday party invitation he has received this year from school and I have to admit, I think having group birthday parties for young children is a great idea. I personally, haven’t started inviting classmates yet since this is my son’s first year in school, but I imagine next year we will since he’ll be turning five.

Anyways, this got me thinking about the different types of group birthday parties that can be done nowadays for kids. If you’ve got a young child like I do, then you may find the article helpful and inspiring for planning your next birthday party.

1.      Princess Party – If you have a little girl who has several little girls whom she has a lot of fun with, then it may be fun to plan a princess party for her. Did you know that there are actually places like Oliva’s Dollhouse Playroom that actually take care of the whole thing for you? From dressing up in little girls’ dresses to getting hair and makeup done to eating special desserts/cake and drinking tea, it’s all done for you. It’s a pretty cool idea for a young girl’s group birthday party if you ask me.

 2.      Builder’s Party – Now, this one is for the little boys. If you have a little man who loves following daddy or grandpa around learning how to build things and do all that “manly” stuff, then why not throw him a group “builder’s party?” Invite other boys his age who he’s friends with and have an area set up where each little guy has his own little tools and a project kit ready to go. (For example, those build-your-own-toolbox kits sold at Home Depot are a good option) The key is to make sure the parents of the guests know that one of them needs to be present to help their little guy construct his project. It’s a great theme for a little boy’s group party that will create lasting memories for the guests and their parents…plus, every guy gets to go home with a souvenir!

 3.      Skating Party – This one may seem a little old fashioned, but it’s actually perfect for group birthday parties where boys and girls will both be! I can remember when I was little – it was a big deal to have a skating birthday party. The sad thing is that most kids today have never been to a roller skating (or ice skating) birthday party. Not only do the kids have a lot of fun at these parties, but they also get a lot of exercise too!

After Prom Activity Ideas

If you’re the parent of a high school girl or boy, then you know how big of a deal prom really is to these kids. It doesn’t matter if they are planning on going to the formal with a date or if they’re going stag with a group of friends, this is the one high school formal event that they HAVE to attend. Not only must they go to prom, they have to find the perfect prom dress, suit or tuxedo so they look as great as they feel.

While prom itself is fun for kids, a lot of kids get in trouble after prom because they want to stay up all night. There isn’t anything wrong with this, since that’s what prom is all about. However, when kids go out to clubs, hotels and country parties, things can take a quick turn for the worse. This is why so many parents around the country get together every year and organize after prom parties for the kids attend from midnight to six or so in the morning.

If you are interested in organizing an after prom party for your teen’s class, here are a few ideas:

1.    Casino Night – In order to pull off a Casino Night after-prom party, you will need to have at least 10 other parents helping you with it…for a small class – you’ll need more volunteers for larger classes. This can be a lot of fun for the kids though. Basically, set up different tables with different casino games (black jack, poker, roulette, etc.) and give the kids fake money when they come in so they can start playing immediately. Consider having a “bar” where kids can order cocktails such as a Bloody Mary, Margarita, Strawberry Daiquiri, etc. – all non-alcoholic, of course.

Another way to make this fun is to go to local businesses and ask for donations. Have a table set up somewhere displaying all of the items that had been donated for the after-prom party and hold an auction at the end of the Casino Night where teens can bid on the items with the fake money they won.

2.    Magic Show and Hypnotist – Another great idea for an after-prom party is to host a professional magic show and hypnotist to keep the teens entertained. The hardest part of pulling this one off is raising the money to hire the magician and hypnotist. However, if you start organizing the event a couple of months in advance with other parents of prom-goers, then you shouldn’t have a problem. Hosting the show itself doesn’t involve that many people as the kids’ attention will be focused on the entertainers.

3.    Mid-Night Bowling, Laser Tag, Etc. – Another option is to raise money throughout the year and team up with a local activity center to rent the building for the hours of 12am-6am, or whatever your budget will afford. Bowling alleys, laser tag centers and other activity centers generally work with after-prom committees in providing a safe place for teens to come have fun after prom. Even though you’re asking them to stay open past their normal business hours, some owners are happy to do it because they’re making additional money and it’s only for one night.

2012 Saint Patrick’s Day Activities for Kids

For most people, Saint Patrick’s Day is a day of fun and laughter. Most adults generally celebrate by getting together with friends and having a beer or two together, while children often associate the holiday with wearing green. And, most years, St. Patty’s Day is celebrated at different times by adults and children…children acknowledge it at school while adults/parents acknowledge it after hours with friends.

However, this year the day falls on a Saturday, meaning it’s up to parents to find a way to celebrate the holiday with their kids this year. Below are a few activity ideas to help you and your children celebrate the holiday together.

Host a Dance– If you have some extra space, or know someone who does, then hosting a St. Patrick’s Day dance/party can be a lot of fun. For example, if you live on an acreage with an old barn, you’ve got the perfect space for a dance…or even if you have a large bonus room can be a great place for a gathering. To make it fun for all ages, allow your children to invite their friends and parents, as well as, your friends too. Have a best dressed contest and encourage guests to wear green formal dresses and suits. You can also make green punch and serve lots of green appetizers. Depending on the guests and your thoughts, you may even consider serving green beer and other festive cocktail drinks. A St. Patrick’s Day dance/party allows parents and kids to celebrate the holiday with each other, creating a lot of fun memories!

Visit a Local Celebration – Since Saint Patty’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, there will be many communities hosting public celebrations for families to attend. Most of these celebrations will have all the food, drink, fun and entertainment your family needs. Who knows, if there isn’t a nearby celebration, maybe you can make a weekend trip out of it and attend one several hours away!

Have a Scavenger Hunt – Little children love games, so why not create your own backyard St. Patty’s Day scavenger hunt? The kids can spend a couple hours figuring out clues to find their four-leaf clover. This can be a great activity when combined with a family BBQ. You can even take it a step farther and end it when the kids find the prize…a stack of movie tickets for a movie the entire family can go to after the BBQ…or, maybe even a few Leprechaun themed movies to end the night with!

Whatever you decide to do this year on Saint Patrick’s Day, find a way to celebrate it with your children. It may not be the “normal” way you celebrate the holiday, but since it is on a Saturday this year, make it special for the kids. Even if you never celebrate the holiday, do something symbolizing it this year for the children.

Formal Dinner Parties

Many people host formal dinner parties throughout the year for a variety of reasons. Some just enjoy breaking out the fine china while others do so to friends or family members or special occasions such as a wedding. Regardless of what has prompted the formal dinner party, you’ve been invited and now you have to figure out what to wear. Below are some general guidelines for you to follow.

Men

1.    Black Tie: This means you are to wear a formal tuxedo. Go to the “nine’s” when attending a black tie event. You should have the tux, vest, shirt, black tie, cummerbund, buttons, cuff links and matching shoes.

2.    Black Tie Optional: For these events, tuxedos are appropriate, but so are formal dark suits. When opting to wear a suit to a dinner like this, make sure it is a formal suit and you have a nice white collared shirt, tie (still required, doesn’t have to be black) and nice shoes.

3.    White Tie: White tie events are very rare, but they are still held from time to time. These dinner parties are extremely formal events. Make sure you wear a very formal suit, white tie, freshly pressed formal shirt, vest, cummerbund, cuff links and shiny shoes.

Women

1.    Black Tie: As these are very formal events you should wear a long flattering evening gown with nice matching high heels. You hair should look as if it has been professionally styled as well.

2.    Black Tie Optional: Women have a little more freedom at black tie optional dinner parties as formal cocktail dresses are appropriate. Cocktail dresses are those where the hemline is at the knee or a little above, make sure the dress is not too short though. High heels are also appropriate and your hair should still be fixed nicely.

3.    White Tie: Dress as you would for a black tie dinner party.

Father-Daughter Dances, Winter Socials and Other Kids Formal Events