YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Blog Posts by Tice Swackhamer

    • A Parent’s Guide to Reclaiming Valentine’s Day

      By Tice Swackhamer | Parenting – Mon, Feb 6, 2012 1:58 AM EST

      You may be asking yourself, "When did Valentine's Day become a family affair?" Well, the answer is simple -- the minute the baby was born. The next time Feb. 14 rolled around, instead of the usual romantic dinner, your spouse surprised you with a clay impression of the baby's hand that left you breathless. And without even noticing, you and the proud father let the holiday pass with an "aw" and a smile and barely a kiss good night, just happy to get a good night's sleep.

      If this is your house, it is time to reclaim Valentine's Day as the holiday it was intended to be -- a romantic day for two. There is nothing wrong with buying 30 valentines for each child's classroom and turning the dining room table into a bedlam of red and white construction paper, lace and glue. But it doesn't mean you can't set aside some special time with your spouse to remember why you entered into this family pledge in the first place.

      Here are a few tips to get you started:

      Swap babysitting

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    • Savvy Tips for the Unseasoned Traveler

      By Tice Swackhamer | Travel – Sun, Aug 7, 2011 9:39 AM EDT

      Want to get through airport security faster? Get in and out of baggage claim in a jiff? Spend less, a lot less, on food? Next time you go to board a flight, keep these four tips in mind.

      Wear Slip-on Shoes
      Dressing for air travel used to mean donning a semi-formal outfit suitable for the occasion. Today, with the objective to get through airport security without delay, the dress code favors the practical. In addition to having to remove belts and jackets, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening policies require all able passengers to remove their shoes for scanning through security. The latter is what seems to take the longest, particularly for children. To keep it simple and quick, sandals are the obvious choice in summer but not everyone likes to travel in half-bare feet, either because they get cold or trampled. Moc, Crocs, Clogs and slides make great alternatives, as well as Toms. Pack a pair of socks or compact slippers for warmth on the plane.

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    • Back to School: Rise and Shine

      By Tice Swackhamer | Parenting – Fri, Aug 5, 2011 7:12 PM EDT

      Play date note on brown bag lunch helps kids get-up-and-goBack to School Motivators

      Over the summer, your morning routine may have become a bit lax. The kids got to sleep in a little later, stayed in their PJs awhile longer and watched TV an extra hour. So now that school is about to start, how do you get them up and going again without a fight? Well, without "any" struggle might be asking too much - but there are a few things you can do to help reduce the family's stress level in the morning:

      A Song or a Rhyme
      In the army, soldiers march to rhymes and wake up to songs. It may seem brutal to them, but younger kids get a real kick out of these routines. Whether it's getting dressed to a rhyme and seeing if they can "beat the clock" before it ends, or waking up to a song you sing, this strategy really works. Try this familiar military song to get them up in the morning: "Hut, 2, 3, 4, get your feet up on the floor -- 5, 6, 7, 8, get up or you will be late!

      Evening Prep
      Every experienced parent will tell you that the more you do the night before to get

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