Strollerderby : Melissa Summers

Do You Have a 'Challenging' Child?

Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:01:00 GMT

I thought I'd begin this post on having a challenging kid by writing something along the lines of, "Hey, mother/father/caregiving grandparent/au pair of the screaming, kicky kid in playgroup, you know who you are!" The truth is that my own child certainly has his challenging moments and I imagine I am not alone in wondering if I am indeed doing the best I can or if I am caught in a stall of the Costco bathroom with a tantruming toddler in a strange karmic repayment for sneaking boyfriends in my bedroom window or "misplacing" so many library books. Sure, my boy's 90% honey but there's also that 10% day-past-sell-by-date milk part of him that I admittedly don't talk about very often. I'm not always so good with what to do with milk that's pushed past its sell-by date. Throw it out? Just deal with it despite the hint of sourness? Pretend it's absolutely fine, thank you very much?

I love how straightforward our own Melissa Summers is about how hellish the challenges can be in raising a challenging kid. Maybe I took to this post so much because I've seen so many conversations among parents completely halted once one chimes in about how adorable and precious her own child is but some of my most meaningful talks with other parents have started along the lines of "He won't stop biting me and I've tried everything to stop it and I am not sure I can do this anymore..." or "She's up every hour and I am trying to figure out why the hell I got myself into this whole baby thing to begin with..." Sure, I'm a sucker for the kidisms in magazines and cutesy stories from my favorite parent friends, but I also know that sometimes talking about the tough stuff opens the door to more support and heads nods than you could imagine. After all, I never doubt myself as a parent more than I do in those hair-pulling moments and it's good to be validated, advised or just listened to after it's all (finally, God spare us) over.

Of course, true confessions of any parenting kind also open the door to lots and lots of judgment. But I think if we all think back on those break-of-dawn breakdowns and bathroom stall pranic breathing sessions, we'd all say that we have -- at least for those moments -- challenging kids. I guess the question is, how do you deal with the sourness when it comes, especially when it comes often?

Movie Theatre For Sick Kids Opens

Melissa Summers — Mon, 21 May 2007 19:04:00 GMT

Shrek appears to be moving away from the 'healthy role model' controversy and is instead appearing as the first feature film shown at a theatre created for children hospitalized at Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The theatre was spearheaded by filmmaker Barry Avrich, and cost $1 million (USD$910,000) to create, all the donations (money and equipment) were raised in one month. The theatre was created in an aging auditorium of the hospital.

Avrich believes this is the first charity of it's kind, providing sick children with the thrill of a night at the movies. He says, "This is a world of walls that we live in, and that especially goes for those in hospital. During a film, the walls come down; that's the definition of theater, when a kid can walk in, or be wheeled in, and completely forget about life and be a kid again."

Children too ill to be brought to the movie can watch from their rooms via closed circuit television and Avrich is working with studios to bring 3-4 first run movies to the hospital theatre each year. I love this story because it shows how your private passion (film in this case) can translate into something of value to other struggling souls. I am often paralyzed by the enormity of the problems of the world, I can't cure AIDS, but sometimes giving kids the escape of a night at the movies is enough to make a difference while scientists and doctors learn how to cure various diseases.

Strollerderby Finishline: The Sky Has Fallen Edition

Mike Adamick (Cry It Out!) — Sat, 05 May 2007 15:20:00 GMT

Et tu, Lorelai? Yes, it's been a sad, sad few days. The "Gilmore Girls" is canceled. Goodbye parenting TV Nirvana. Hello ... "Notes from the Underbelly"? No thanks. Sure, a lot of other important stuff happened this week. But really, when the best. show. on. TV. goes off the air, does it matter anymore?

So join me as I fill my own sippy cup with this and recount all things that don't really matter compared to the saddest. news. ever. Perspective? Not likely.

Sarah learns one of life's truisms: Bob Dylan rocks, but he scares the bejebus out of little kids.

Karen wants you to forget all those stereotypes -- cougars rock! (My words, not hers ....)

Jessica pulls a Madonna. No, she didn't pilfer orphans. She just wants moms to express themselves!

Kelly enjoys poking out children's eyes. And mocking your penis. And I don't blame her.

Alisyn spares Jaime Pressly the bad news. She thinks pregnancy is bad? Try post-partum. (She still rocks on "Earl," however!)

Melissa lies to her dentist. The shame. The shame!!!

As much as this posts makes me want to call Stefania a bag hag, she is the editor, soooo .... bag lady it is. (Goodbye Christmas bonus!)

Patti won't write on your underwear -- she'll just use an adhesive label. Ouch.

Rachael wants to hire a sitter and try something new. Now there's a date night I could get behind. Oh wait, laser tag? I was thinking something else. Hey, anything to take my mind off the pain.

[Special thanks to Random House for the photo of Gay Talese and fam. I was very, very pleased to stumble upon this in my weekly search for the best in vintage family photos.]

Strollerderby Finishline: Placenta Eating Mimes Dine Out With Chris and Courtney

Mike Adamick (Cry It Out!) — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 21:17:00 GMT

That headline? That sums up our week. When we weren't knee-deep in placenta juice (mmmmm), we were kicking kids out of restaurants, wondering why new moms are so damn selfish and getting an odd feeling that celebrities aren't using "yoga" to shed pregnancy pounds so much as having their stomachs nipped and tucked. Oh yeah, and there's mimes.

Our week begins not only with the thought of Ricki Lake naked, but also with the sad, sorry plight of her assistant, whose job it was to clean out the "placenta juice" from the home-birth bath tub. I can't thank you enough for such wonderful imagery Stefania ....

Chris Rock has long advised dads to keep their daughters off the pole -- the stripper pole. Jessica wants to know what advice Rock has for dads of boys -- considering he may just be one. And while he's at it, why not just form a playgroup for all the celebrity dads using DNA to confirm their progeny?

New SD streetwalker, er, I mean blogger Kelly Mills (oh just go look at her bio, silly) thinks yoga is code for "gastric bypass." But at least Courtney Love is thin again, and really, what else matters?

And then there's the ever-popular debate about kids in restaurants. Crank Mama Rachael finally admitted it. You know all those people who are "for the children?" She ain't one of them. At least when it comes to toting tots to fancy restaurants or mommy's day spa. Nothing brings out the smiles like the topic of kids and white table cloths. Oh, and this is pretty funny, too.

Alisyn wonders whether she's too much of a Puritan and also whether 9 is too young to go strapless -- while parents, just like her, wonder why the hell Teri Hatcher has any pull at the White House anyway.

Patti is afraid of mimes and is probably still under her covers with a trusty baseball bat. Sound freakish? Just watch these guys and you'll understand. They've got nothing on "Pigs in Space."

Karen offers some sage advice for playground safety. Kids with beards? Yeah, it's time to go home.

Melissa uncovers Rosy the Riveter's private stash. Of art. Created by her kids. While Rosy was busy, ya know, building big-ass World War II battleships. Definitely worth a look.

Sarah takes on TomKat, advising newly 1-year-old Suri to come to her senses, get on her feet and run, Forrest, run! OK, maybe that's just me. Still, it's good advice. As Sarah says, her parentals are freakshows.

And I admitted something you've known all along. I'm a dork. And, oddly, quite proud of it.

Finally, I'm not exactly sure which evil genius here at Babble thought up the idea of our best. feature. ever. -- "Hitting the Bottle" -- but hats off, my friend. Followed by my shoes, my socks, my pants, shirt, underwear, watch, sock garters (what?) after just a few of the "Free Babysitters," Gin and Tequila? I just hope the babysitter's easy, too.

Strollerderby Finishline: Parents Are Insane

Mike Adamick (Cry It Out!) — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 16:10:00 GMT

Larry Birkhead pimps his daughter. Barbie has her own car. A real car. And Alec Baldwin ... well, do you really need a reminder? That's the kind of week it's been. It's enough to make you need a Time Out. (And let me just add for the Jesus Juice Junkies: Yum. Try it. Now.)

Our week begins with Hello Kitty. The famous, puffy doll who has cornered the market on backpacks, book binders and pencil erasers also has her own biography, airplane and favorite ice cream. Who knew? Thanks Pierre!

Sarah tackles yet another doll. Only this one makes Barbie look like a prim, proper prude who's always at the ready with lady fingers and tea, instead of, oh I don't know, making out with Ken and Donny Osmond. Donny Osmond? Oh just go check it out.

And then we move onto playdates. CrankMama advises a stay-at-home dad not to worry: Playdates suck it. Unless there's alcohol. And rules. Much, much better rules.

And speaking of playdates, Jessica wonders whether your tot has mad skills for simultaneously dropping a Lego tower and dropping a load. Mini-multitaskers rock the house.

Aside from giving me a reason to wake up in the morning, Melissa (in her first Finishline mention - yeehaw!) tackles childhood obesity and discovers that Bill Clinton is the president who keeps on giving. (To which I say, giving? Really? I thought he was more of a receiver. Never mind ....)

Karen nails the whole Mothers Day conspiracy on the head. (By conspiracy I mean, why do moms go first anyway? Huh?) I'm definitely going to use these tactics for Fathers Day anyway: Ensure you get something nice by planning your own gifts and then making your kids make it. I love you Karen.

We've already hinted about Larry Birkhead. Stefania tackles the sleaze of the week. Year? God, I hope not.

Oh but wait, I forgot about the other sleaze -- and this one has more sleaze. Thanks to Alisyn for tracking Alec Baldwin's crazy. (Does anyone else feel bad for still liking him on "30 Rock"?)

And then there's the Barbie Car. If you don't hear from Patti next week, it means she finally found a dealer for her "cupcake on wheels." A pink Barbie Bug dealer. Good luck south o' the border, Patti! We're pulling for you!

And finally, like almost all of my posts, I enjoyed this one more for the picture I found than the actual writing.

Super Cute Dollhouse Round-Up

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 19:02:00 GMT

The joy of doll houses is lovingly described by Melissa Summers (of Suburban Bliss) as a combination of whimsy and escape from the tiresome of big people real estate. The maxi-happiness of mini-houses lights up the eyes and faces of parents and children alike.

Melissa's doll house round-up over at Alpha Mom includes houses in all price ranges and styles, ranging from a cardboard quiet little $40 place from Kids on the Roof to the $145 Waldorf friendly cottage from Quiet Hours Toys (pictured right) to the $700 sleek Villa Sibi house.

Whatever the house, whatever the materials, the joy of giving children something this creative to play with makes me look forward to the next birthday around these parts.

Moms Too Drunk to Tackle Today Show "Momtini" Debate?

Mike Adamick (Cry It Out!) — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:24:00 GMT

The last time the Today Show ran a segment on mother fuddlers, the blogosphere lit up with heated debates about mixing alcohol with playdates. Personally, I mix my alcohol with gin, but to each her own. This time around, however, all seems quiet. For now.

Maybe that's because Today Show guest Stefanie "So Hot She Must be Anorexic" Wilder-Taylor yesterday debunked some people's perceptions that moms who drink around their kids are loutish lushbags. She was funny. She was intelligent. She asked for more beer. Who wouldn't like her?

No one that I could find. And I searched -- I swear to god. In putting together this list of the blogosphere reaction to the latest segment, I couldn't find an anti-drinking stance anywhere following the show yesteday. Maybe, and most likely, I'm just a moron -- but I'd like to think people have come to see this issue for what it really is: B.S. Who doesn't drink in front of their kids? Who doesn't drink because of their kids?

Z Recommends offers blogger solidarity with "Mothers for Social Drinking " blog badges. Go get one. Now!

IzzyMom has had enough of the non-debate. "Christ…it’s no wonder we’re NOT all self-medicating after dealing with such nonsense for two weeks in a row."

A Mommy Story believes moms can, gasp, make their own damn decisions. "Personally, I don't think moms are scared of being called a bad parent. I think we're sick of being told that anything we do could make us bad parents, as if we are incapable of making reasonable and sane parenting choices."

Suburban Bliss Melissa Summers, who got unfortunately railroaded when she was on the Today Show the first time this topic came up, rejoiced when host Meredith Viera was asked her opinion and stumbled. OK, rejoiced is a weak word. "I think I had an orgasm at that point."

Desperately Seeking Sanity has no problem with a few drinks, just watch what you say: "Just please refrain from telling me I’m a horrible mother….I might have to console myself with lots of alcohol and that would endanger my children and it would be all your fault … KIDDING!"

MamaKBear loves her some Jose Cuervo.

Elizabeth McDonald at 451Press wonders when parents will stop judging each other and start teaching their kids to make awesome margaritas.

To include some type of counter opinion, Viera herself defended her role in the debate, saying last week she thought making a comparison between moms and babysitters was fair - although she does enjoy a drink "from time to time."

The way I see it, drinking occasionally isn't her problem. Not drinking all the time is.

I'm sure I've missed a lot of great voices in this debate, so if you're not sick of it -- let me know about them and I'll update this. I'd especially like to hear from the anti-drinking side, if only to silently mock you.

(Photo from I'm Not a Wino, Not Yet a Girl -- check her out.)

Cocktail Playdates: What's the Big Deal?

Stefania Pomponi Butler (CityMama) — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 18:15:00 GMT

Did you catch the Today Show this morning? Melissa Summers was on with Meredith Viera discussing the "cocktail playdate" phenomenon.

When Melissa told me she was going on the show, I was worried that the producers would try to paint those of us that might like to have a cocktail or glass of wine at playdates (no, not every one, and not at 9:00 AM although some days...) as a bunch of irresponsible alcoholics, but my impression was that it was a very balanced segment.

The moms they interviewed were all women I'd be happy to have over some afternoon to share a bottle of wine. And Melissa is right, if you have a problem with that we probably can't be friends. And people that criticize moms who drink responsibly BECAUSE WE'RE ADULTS, are just looking for an excuse to critize, well, anything.

The Today Show polled iVillage members and 57% disapproved of "momtinis." I think the numbers would be different if they polled on a site like Babble. So what do you think? Have you ever shared a bottle of wine or mixed up a batch of mojitos with other parents while your kids are around? Or should alcohol never mix with children?

[graphic credit: Suburban Bliss]