Thank you. Your Guide to Holiday Tips and Gifts
The holidays are a perfect time to thank the people who provide great services all year long. An envelope of cash is nice, but a gift shows you took extra time to appreciate someone’s hard work. If you are stuck on ideas for the babysitter or cleaning crew, check out...
Ring in a Family Friendly New Year
As a parent, you may be anticipating a New Year’s Eve that is less sequins and champagne and more mini hot dogs and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Fortunately, celebrating this traditionally decadent night in a family friendly way can be just as much fun for grown-ups as for...
From Humble Start, Terra Toys Grows Its Family and Its Business
In the late ‘70s, Romalda and Charles Edwards graduated from UT and looked around for a small business to run. They started making toys by hand with the aim of selling them to retailers. Charles carved the shapes from salvaged wood scraps, and Romalda gave them a...
Holiday Etiquette
Already dreading the thought of taking your rambunctious brood to Grandma’s for a holiday meal? Most parents know that manners don’t come naturally to children, and though we strive to teach children niceties like “please” and “thank you,” etiquette doesn’t...
Coming Home – Adoption of Zoe
By Sherida Mock Brandi Rarus’s tale begins like many other adoptive parents’ stories. She and husband Tim had three boys and wanted a little girl to complete their family. The couple began the process of adoption, expecting to welcome a child from China. Their...
How to Raise a Giver in a Gimme World
Like most parents, I often wonder what kind of adults my children will be when they grow up. I hope they will be altruistic individuals, giving more than they take from the world. But my children are constantly bombarded by messages from billboard ads, celebrity...
Bedtime Magic – 5 Science-Based Tricks to Make Bedtime a Breeze
Is bedtime a bad word at your house? Do your kids fight sleep like trained ninjas? Does the tuck-in process leave you tuckered out? If bedtime is a battle, night after night, sleep cues may be your ticket to success. Just what is a sleep cue? Called “sleep onset...
Fall in Love with Austin’s Charms
by Sherida Mock Farms Local farms are celebrating the cooler days with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrides and other fall festivities. They’re worth the trip for a great time and some heart-warming family photos. Barton Hill Farms Weekends through Nov. 8 1115 FM 969...
Sharing His Success – The Face of Paul Mitchell Has a Lot to Say
Born in California, John Paul DeJoria sold newspapers as a youth. After a stint in the Navy, he bounced from job to job, including pumping gas and selling encyclopedias. But while working as a hair care sales manager, he met hairstylist Paul Mitchell and...
Not Alone: Serving the Emotional Side for NICU Parents
by Sherida Mock In the summer of 2000, Kelli Kelley was 24 weeks pregnant when she went into labor driving home from work. That unexpected premature birth of her son launched Kelley on a journey that led her to found Hand to Hold, a nonprofit that provides support for...
Music Lessons: 5 Mistakes Not to Make
“In my 20 years of teaching guitar, I have often been asked what to look for in a music teacher. Selecting an excellent music teacher for your child can be one of the most daunting tasks there is for a parent. And though finding a great teacher can be tough, I find...
A New Mom’s Guide to Nursing in Public
You survived childbirth and learned the art of a successful latch, but if you have decided to breastfeed your baby, there is one final frontier you will need to conquer: the art of nursing in public. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive...