Recent Featured Articles

Sleepover Safety: What Parents Need to Ask Ahead of Time

"I’m embarrassed to ask this…what will they think of me?" This is what many parents told us when we talked about the importance of asking “safety questions” of another parent or friend before sending kids off to a play date, sleep over or sports practice. With all of the stories in the media about “trusted adults” in childrens' lives who have broken that trust by abusing them, it's important to ask yourself whether your discomfort with asking safety questions are more important than your child's safety. Is the chance of offending someone worth the risk? Perhaps a year ago you might not have... continue reading

Does Being Pretty Help Sell Pilates Sessions?

I recently got hired as a Pilates instructor at a large and very chi-chi health club. Management asked if I would offer free demos to their members, as a way to introduce them to the Pilates method and also to meet me. Clearly this would be for those members who have been living under a rock, because, really, who doesn’t know what Pilates is? Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Tiger Woods do Pilates, for crying out loud! I’ve done so many free friggin’ demos since I became an instructor, that it’s a bit of a soul killer to have to essentially whore myself out yet again. That being said, I had a... continue reading

New Baby Gives Time for Reflecting

Our new baby gives me time for reflecting and it’s a perfect time of year to do so. We welcomed a little baby boy to the Dyer family in December! We are thrilled and big brother and big sister are both being rock stars as is my husband. I watch my husband running around getting the two older kids dressed for their activities, brushing their hair and teeth, getting their meals, keeping them occupied and think wow, I do all that on a daily basis, that looks exhausting. Well, that thought comes right after, hubby you’re a superstar, thanks babe. Our new baby has given me time to think back... continue reading

Does My Tween Really "Need" a Cell Phone?

My daughter, who is nine, keeps pestering me about a cell phone. As in, when can she have one. As in, so many of her friends have them (so many equaling three, and they all have divorced parents who want to be able to call them directly). I keep telling her that we’ll discuss it when she’s older, because right now, I don’t really see the point of her having a cell phone. I mean, who is she calling? And where does she think she’s going all by herself that would require her to need to make phone calls? In what I imagine she thought was a subtle attempt to persuade me otherwise, she... continue reading

Five Fun Facts About Tim Tebow

I love Tim Tebow and I'm not afraid to say it! If you're just starting to hear the buzz about Tebow, or you've seen the spoof Saturday Night Live did about Tebow meeting Jesus, you may be wondering who is this guy? Tim Tebow is the quarterback for the Denver Broncos who is famous for kneeling in prayer before, during and after games. And the more Tim Tebow and the Broncos keep winning, the more people are tearing him down - not just because of his winning record, but for his public displays of religion. Now, there are plenty of athletes out there (we won’t name names) that are caught... continue reading

Volunteer With Your Family On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

"Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day is a perfect opportunity to get out and serve with your family. Make it a day on, not a day off! Get out there and plan a family service project; work together, serve together and help your family learn that even youngest members can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. There are many easy (and fun) ways to volunteer as a family -- from simple neighborly actions to more elaborate service projects partnering with community organizations. Here are a few ideas: Share... continue reading

Chocolate Angel Food Cake with Strawberries & Whipped Cream

Sometimes I get this crazy insane craving for something sweet! Ok, who am I kidding with "sometimes"... it’s on a daily basis that I have a crazy insane craving for something sweet! But as we all know, I am NOT a baker, so it’s gotta be super simple. How does this sound: Chocolate Angel Food Cake with fresh whipped cream and strawberries! It’s light, it’s fluffy and it’s a fresh dessert. And the best part is, it doesn’t require a whole lotta “baking” skill to make! Chocolate Angel Food Cake Ingredients 1 ¼ cups egg whites ¼ tsp. salt 1 tsp. cream of tartar ¾ cup granulated... continue reading

The Return of The Tiger Mother

The Tiger Mother is back in the news . . . because she’s peddling the paperback version of her controversial 2011 memoir, The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. And, despite all the criticism she’s received for her approach to parenting, she has said that if she had it to do all over again, she’d raise her daughters in the same way. Remember last year when she burst into pop culture consciousness with her essay in The Wall Street Journal -- timed to be published when the hardcover version of her memoir was released - which outraged many with its description of how Yale Law School professor Amy... continue reading