P&K Insider

August 4, 2009

World’s Worst Mom

Filed under: Family Life — Heather Kempskie @ 8:12 am

Before anyone else tries to claim the title, it’s mine.

I brought my daughter to camp today.  I think she considered it more like a visit to say a hospital or a dentist or a horror film. Yesterday, she loved it. Today not so much. For a 4-year-old, she knows how to lay on the guilt…thick. She whined, yelled and voiced her every emotion very loudly.

I listened. I repeated her concerns. I talked about the fun she had yesterday. I gave her something to look forward to tomorrow. I carried her to the classroom, sat on the floor and met her friends, addressed the teacher and gave her sad, little face a kiss goodbye.

That was an hour ago. I still have a lump in my throat. For all I know, she could be smiling, dancing and playing with the cute girls she sat with earlier.

At least I hope she is.

August 3, 2009

Just Smile (’til your teeth hurt)

Filed under: Family Life — Heather Kempskie @ 1:23 pm

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I just came from a dentist appointment with my 6-year-old son. I hate to admit it…but he had a cavity that needed to be filled. Much like me, he doesn’t care for pain, especially in form of the outrageously large Novocain needles. When I tell you, that I lost sleep over this procedure for weeks leading up to the appointment, I’m not exaggerating.

I called the dentist office to hear a step-by-step description of the procedure and I googled “cavities and children” to find out what methods are most safe. I woke up with a stomachache, which went nicely with the super, fake smile plastered on my face as to not alert my offspring that anything too horrible was coming.

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July 23, 2009

An Experiment: Learning via TV

Filed under: Family Life, TV — Tags: , , — Heather Kempskie @ 10:04 am

charactersWhen the subject of TV comes up with fellow moms, I always hesitate to engage. Inside my head, random self-deprecating remarks abound: “Oh, I bet compared to her I let my child watch too much TV. ” Or, “I let my kids watch SpongeBob, she’ll definitely think I’m a bad mom.”

Mention TV and there’s hushed voices revealing some guilt on behalf of the parent who uses it - on occasion - as a “babysitter.” Consider yesterday. I watched four children - ages 4 - 6 - all day (two of my own, two nephews) and the TV went on around 5 p.m. so I could make dinner. Do I feel guilty? A little. On average, my kids watch the tube for about an hour or so a day…sometimes more.  There I said it.

I’ve hesitated to cover “TV” in the pages of P&K because I think there is a sort of “stigma” associated with kids - especially the little ones - and TV viewing. Somehow, I thought the story “Must See TV for Toddlers” would rub a few people the wrong way. It turns out, I may be wrong.

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July 22, 2009

What does birth order have to do with it?

Filed under: Family Life — Tags: , — Heather Kempskie @ 3:39 am

u15583905If you’ve met me recently, chances are I’ve inquired about your birth order. In other words, are you the oldest child, somewhere in the middle or perhaps the baby of the family? I’ve become obsessed with the topic and am now micro-analyzing anyone that crosses my path. Unfortunately, that also included an intern I interviewed last week. (She ended up being the last born but had first born traits. More on that later).

I’m a firm believer that the people you grew up with (your siblings) have a strong influence on who you become later in life. Part of that theory includes the sequence of how each member of the family popped out of the womb.  Do any of these descriptions match your own children? Below are  some quick tips on bringing out the best in your children (as it relates to birth order)

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July 16, 2009

My Brave Guy

Filed under: Family Life, Health — Tags: — Heather Kempskie @ 10:18 am

I just came from a dentist appointment with my 6-year-old son. I hate to admit it…but he had a cavity that needed to be filled. Much like me, he doesn’t care for pain, especially in form of the outrageously large Novocain needles. When I tell you, that I lost sleep over this procedure for weeks leading up to the appointment, I’m not exaggerating.

I called the dentist office to hear a step-by-step description of the procedure and I googled “cavities and children” to find out what methods are most safe. I woke up with a stomachache, which went nicely with the super, fake smile plastered on my face as to not alert my offspring that anything too horrible was coming.

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July 13, 2009

Kids head to work

Filed under: Family Life — Heather Kempskie @ 10:14 am

hotdogFour members of the Kempskie family went to work last Thursday. My husband and I … and our children. It was “Bring Your Child to Work” day at my husband’s place of employment -  RSA Security in Bedford.

Granted my kids now think that Daddy works at a place that offers face painting, balloon animals and hot dogs for lunch every day but they also got to have front seats during an important conference call and see some of the security devices their dad works to promote in the PR department. At the tender ages of 4 & 6, I think it was the perfect introduction to work life and answers to the question: What does Dad do all day?

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June 16, 2009

I made sushi (with some help)

Filed under: Family Life — Tags: , — Heather Kempskie @ 8:52 am

sushithumb

My husband is the sushi maker in our house. He spends hours and hours in the kitchen using his Make Your Own Sushi kit. I wanted to learn to and took the easier road. Danielle and I headed to  Whole Foods in Bellingham and took Sushi making for beginners.They offer the weekday evening class about every other month.

Thanks to the patience of our sushi chefs, Joe and Mini, all 12 attendees successfully rolled cucumber rolls, california rolls and even a shrimp one. The one-hour class cost $20 and - this is the BEST part - we left with at least $50 of sushi.

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June 15, 2009

Need to clean out the attic?

Filed under: Family Life — Heather Kempskie @ 11:39 am

Donate baby items  at the P&K Baby Shower on June 20 in Wayland!
GSchool.jpgP&K and The Goddard School in Wayland are hosting a baby shower to benefit Cradles to Crayons on Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring any new or gently used baby items to The Goddard School at 367 Commonwealth Road, Wayland and enjoy some free snacks from Cabot Creamery and the feeling that you are helping greater Boston families. Stop & Shop has also generously provided funds to purchase beverages.

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June 4, 2009

Back to the ER

Filed under: Family Life — Heather Kempskie @ 7:38 am

Yup. Same ER. Different ailment. Same result: More gray hair and aging process going at turbo speed for this mama.

brookeeyeMy 4-year-old daughter was victim of  an unfortunate accident at our local pet shop. She was checking out some doggie toys when she leaned down and one of the steal poles that holds merchandise poked her straight in the eye.

She, of course, was screaming and a little blood was coming out of her eye, which was clenched shut. We left the store, I called my pediatrician and was told to head straight to the closest ER.

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May 21, 2009

School closing leaving some parents in a lurch

Filed under: Family Life — Heather Kempskie @ 10:57 am

Thought I’d share this release in the event there are parents out there looking for alternative daycare right now.

As dozens of school districts across Boston are closing down due to the swine flu (H1N1 flu outbreak), thousands of parents are now searching for safe and reliable in-home caregiver options.  In response to this recent flu outbreak, Sittercity.com is offering parents a 20 percent discount to Sittercity.com for the month of May.

With over a million caregiver profiles online across the country specializing in five care divisions, Sittercity.com is the nation’s leading source for babysitters, nannies and senior companions for loved ones during this critical time.  As the leader of online care, Sittercity.com’s caregiver profiles contain detailed information on each caregiver, including experience, pictures, contact information, background checks, references and parent reviews.

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