My 5 year old approached me with a serious question. I ran into a problem that many parents faced on a day to day basis. I didn’t know the answer. So I responded like any Dad would, “Je ne sais quoi.” He looked at me funny and said, “Dad, what does that mean?”

“I don’t know,” I replied as I continued preparing his lunch.

“No. Dad what does that mean?” he said with a little more passion.

“I don’t know,” I responded.

Suddenly he ran off down the hall to his room crying. I was perplexed. Then I thought for a moment. Wait a minute, he thought I was telling him I don’t know, and all he wanted was an answer. So, I ran down to his room.

“Drew, I do know what Je ne sais quoi means, it means I don’t know. I am so sorry. You thought I meant…” He slowly opened the door to his room, and I could see the tear streaks down his cheeks. He wasn’t completely convinced.

“Oh Drew, you thought I meant I didn’t know. Remember when I told you about Who’s on first?” It was a reach, but I thought maybe he would get it because he always laughed at the greatest Abbott & Costello skit.

“Yeah.” He said tentatively.

“Well it’s a little like that. Remember when the guy wanted to know “Who’s on first?” And the other guy would say, “Yes, who’s on first, what’s on second and I don’t know is on third.” There it was. The light bulb just clicked in that 5 year old brain.

“Oh, so you mean that “Je nuh say Kwah” actually means “I don’t know”?

“Naturally.”

Talk about a connecting parenting moment! Drew and I laughed about that one for a good ten minutes. I never thought a joke could make me a better parent, but it proves that we always need to watch out for who’s on First and what’s on Second because if you don’t know is on third, there is a chance you might never make it home.

I could see it all so clearly. My mom was in the kitchen preparing dinner. I was over in the corner of the living room banging hard on the piano because I hated the song I was told to practice and I didn’t want to do it anymore. I was yelling at my mom and getting angrier by the second. My mom was getting upset as well, and when she would, she went to that “sweet” voice that pissed me off even more. I recall this day so vividly because it was that day I gave up on playing the piano. Do I regret it as my parents have so often said I would? No. Do I wish I knew how to play the piano better? Maybe…ok yes, but that’s not the point. I can play it. I know notes. I can assist my child if they need it, though he never likes it when I do.

Back to 2012, as I sat there and watched my son get so frustrated all I could do was laugh at myself. What an ass I must have looked like throwing a tantrum over practicing my piano. I also laughed at my wife and I as parents, thinking it was so crucial to practice the piano over and over. Why must we as parents be so adamant about practicing? Did our son sign up for piano? Or did we sign him up because we thought it was a good idea? Well, he actually brought it up first but still, will it make a huge difference in his life if he continues to play the piano? No. It will teach him that if he throws big enough tantrums he can get out of anything. That’s what I learned as a kid. I just want to tell him that if he wants to get good at something, it takes practice. If he doesn’t to be good at something, then he can choose not to do it. Then I will play some Billy Joel and Elton John while cooking dinner.

The Co-Founders of Mother Earth School, Kelly Hogan and April Blair joined Todd to talk about what everyone has been linking to on Facebook. Kids don’t need longer hours in the classroom. They need their classrooms to be outdoors. There is scientific evidence now backing these theories. These two women don’t need those theories though they admit they help. They see children flourish right in front of their eyes everyday in the middle of a huge forest within minutes of downtown Portland.

Whether it’s Movement Based Education, (not being stuck behind a desk), Preventative Discipline (not being stuck behind a desk) or Alternative Education (get out from being behind the desk!), something needs to change and these women are doing it.

Interested? Tired of seeing your kid only enjoy recess at school or struggle to get out the door in the morning? Give a listen. Get involved. Something different is happening here and these women tell you all why.

Todd Adams of Zen Parenting did not agree with this as an idea. But what the hell does he know? He’s raising kids in Chicago for crying out loud! I kid because I care. I went to school in Chicago and Todd is a very knowledgeable parent. In fact, more should listen to him.

The objective of this idea is to create awareness around losing your temper. If you have one, then you know. When you lose it, you usually don’t know how bad you did. You flip your lid. I have never really realized how loud I get or how mean I may be. Now the deal is, anyone in the family can call you out on it. To you it may not appear like a temper burst, but if someone calls you on it, then you have to pay the piper.

So, what is this teaching us?

Todd Adams, thinks this will teach kids to stuff their emotions. If he is right, then I should be awarded the Crappiest Parent of the Year award because stuffing emotions is what I learned to do most of my life. So his point could be very valid, because often we only copy what was done to us. However, I don’t think it will create that. I want to teach my kids about responsibility and accountability. I feel losing your temper is a good thing. However, I am not a fan of directing that anger at anyone else. It’s important to teach kids how to let it out.

I am hoping that the “Angry Jar” creates an opportunity for Pause. Because it is scientifically proven that if kids are able to stop and name their emotion, they don’t lose their temper. The Angry Jar is my goal to create a deterrent that creates that Pause. Maybe in that Pause, the kids and I will gather our thoughts, leave the room and go into our bedrooms and beat the crap out of our pillows or our bed. Better that than screaming at Mom.

Why did I choose money? I chose it because the boys understand that dollars can buy things and in our family if they want something special, they can use their own money to buy it. We are on a tight budget and if we bought a $1 toy every time we go to the store, we would be spending an extra $500 a year. This is not the last idea I will try with my kids and myself. There will be others in 2012. Keep listening to Zen Parenting for all of their great ideas and tips, while I also suggest you jump over to Parenting Unplugged Radio every now and again to see how and what we are doing. Plus, don’t forget what’s most important, share the shows with a friend. I look forward to your responses…

Honestly, Todd and Laura had fought over this when they boys were born. So they split 50-50. Todd may have thought he won, but now he realizes after this conversation that he lost and so maybe have most men who fight to have their child circumcised. What is the point to it? How does it actually benefit the child? It is all about male ego? Why do so many European countries not do it?

Just because Todd had it done, does that mean his boys have to have done as well? Aren’t we trying to have our children live a life that is pain free rather than pain full?

If you have kids, this may cause you to want to apologize to them. If you don’t, it will cause you to pause for a moment and really think through this decision. Why should we allow a Doctor to force something upon our child that we don’t want. Look, they don’t know everything.

“Because it’s bad for our kids’ brains. I’m addicted to it and we just waste time down here.”

“But Honey, I have to watch my college football games, then there is the NBA and college basketball. Plus you can’t forget about my favorite shows, like Modern Family and reruns of old Cheers episodes.”

“Sorry, but I am going to do it. It’s what’s best for our family.”

Now, I could have argued vehemently, but I knew deep down she was right. We had been talking about doing for a while, however, I thought she was just blabbling on and it was just a passing thought like, “Wow, that is one good looking guy over there, if I weren’t married to you…”  Hey, I have my top 5 list and she has hers.

So, then the day came and that was over three months ago. I have to tell you, every day when I go down into my basement and I see that TV sitting there with no cable hook up, I think to myself, “Why the hell didn’t we do this sooner?”

We are saving over $700 per year and I don’t miss TV at all. Sure, the Season Premieres are coming up and new shows are out, but am I going to be sad that I don’t see Ashton Kutcher taking over for Charlie Sheen? If I really need a hit, I can always go online and catch a show the week after it airs on TV. Plus, Netflix has all of the Cheers episodes available and I can go there to catch one.  The sporting events are tougher, but with ESPN3, I can see a few games. Of course, if I really need to, I can go to a local smoke free watering hole and watch the game.

But the more I think about it, my wife, Laura, who is brilliant beyond her years and beyond my imagination, has created something amazing for me. I spend more time with my kids playing indoors and out. The weekends are spent doing something fun things together as a group rather than sitting on my ass like a zombie stuffing my face with food I don’t need.

How many TV’s do you have in your home? How often do you find yourself sitting in front of it eating and not talking to your family? Maybe you should get rid of your TV too.

We will bust the Middle Child Myth. We will find out why middle children are brilliant negotiators, trail blazers and justice seekers while we will also discover how to parent them.

Are you and your spouse the same or is one a 1st child and the other something different? Does it lead to issues between the two of you? It does for Laura and Todd. That’s why we are all excited about this conversation. Don’t miss it LIVE on Wednesday at 2pm, pst.

I discovered this morning that one of the best ways to get my kids to stop punching, hitting or yelling at each other is… music. Not just any music. We are talking Dynamite. We are talking Taio Cruz.  Everything was going fine and then for some reason my 7 and 4 year old started griping and going at one another. I could have sat down, talked with them, discussed their feelings and such, but I was late. I had to get them in the car and get to school. So, I immediately turned on the radio, because honestly music soothes me quite often. I was quickly moving around the dial to find something I liked and the boys are ramping up the intensity of their confrontation. Then BOOM!

“I throw my hands up in the air some times, saying  ay-oh. Gotta let go.

I want to celebrate and live my life saying ay-oh, baby let’s go

Cause we gonna rock this club, we gonna go all night, we gonna light this up like its dynamite.

Cause I told you once and I told you twice, we gonna light up like it’s dynamite.”

Ok, so they aren’t the best written words ever, but when the music started pumping and the bys heard it, their eyes shifted to the front of the car, “Wait, we love that song!” I noticed they both said, “We”. That was nice. Then they both started singing, one in tune and the other spoke about every third or fourth word. That didn’t matter. What was great was that music brought them together. School is only 3 or 4 minutes away, so as we pulled up and the song had just ended, the older one, Connor age 7, says to Drew, “I love you Drew. I’ll see you after school.” To which the 4 year old Drew yelled back, “I love you too Connor! Bye!”

Some parents are scared of the lyrics that are out there and what it is teaching our kids. That’s a posting for another day. Trust me. I have a story about that too.

Have you heard of Silent Sidelines? Todd learned about this from Therapist Ann DeWitt and utilized it in his child’s soccer game on Saturday. The results were mind blowing. The reaction from kids, parents and the other team. Plus it actually led to two goals being scored. Is this something that Todd wants to continue or not?

How can being quiet on the sidelines in a soccer game be a good thing? Todd takes you through the decision to do it. How he handled the parents on both teams and how it all turned out.

If your child plays on a sports team, do not miss this special episode.

I read in the Oregonian that over six thousand High School Seniors are at risk of not graduating because they can’t pass the state’s mandated reading tests. They have to read a little over 1000 words, then give short answers to 5-8 questions about what they just read and they are failing! At David Douglas High, 1 in 4 students in the senior class is failing this test. That’s 166 kids. At Roberts High School in Salem, 47% of the seniors can’t pass this test; that’s 76 kids.

Now don’t go yelling about how this is due to lower incomes, because Oregon City (one-third fall into the low income category) and Forest Grove High School (58% low-income and 42% Latino) are passing the tests at 94 and 88 percent respectively. This is about something far worse. It’s the main reason that schools are actually hurting our children’s education. It’s about money.

With the way the government hands out funds, this is all about money. If your school hits a benchmark, they get funds. If they don’t, they lose it. So the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. When are we going to learn?

Take parenting for example. Does it really help when you tell your kid, “Do that again and you will not get desert.” or “You took a cookie when I said you couldn’t have one. You go to your room without any supper.” Twothings: parents actually say things like that and while that may help you short term, it does not int he long run. Simply put, you are just teaching your child to not get caught. You aren’t instilling any internal locus of control. Translate this into a school room setting and all you are teaching the children is to fake it. If you can get away without reading, you will be fine. It appears than almost half of the senior class at Roberts has faked it. By the way, those pictures of kids in graduation gowns on their web page, they are fake too.

Our government needs to stop punishing the kids. In fact, they shouldn’t punish the schools either. They need to help where help is needed most. Programs like Smart and JumpStart are great for helping kids learn to read at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade levels. That’s when it sticks. That’s where we and the government can make a difference.

Think about insurance companies for a moment. They don’t care about your health, even though they say they do in their ads. They don’t take any interest in preventative care. They are their to support you when you have a claim and even then they may not help you. Did you know that if Americans were supported in preventative care, we could save millions of dollars per year? Teaching kids to read is a little bit like that. Donating your time to your high school to help kids learn how to read as seniors is a waste. Donate your time and money to elementary schools when kids learn to read and they read to learn. Support the two programs I have mentioned. Then we will be able to scream, “Hey Oregon, you rock!”

I get the feeling Laura and I will have different opinions and this could lead to a very fun conversation. Honestly, if you are going to give them something, should you have the right to take it away?

Start Being. Stop Doing.

What does that mean? What does that do? Why don’t we make that shift? Laura gets a real lesson in how to be, while Todd gets a couple of clues that will help him out. Find out how to not get caught in the loop anymore and live the life you have been looking for.

Join us at 2pm on Weds at Pagatim.fm

Todd and Laura sat on the porch of this 100+ year old home where Tom has created an oasis of sorts. There is Cacao, Coffee, Pineapple, Bananas, Papaya, Mango and some of the most beautiful flowers you have ever seen growing here.  The three sat down for what was to be just a 30 minute conversation and turned into a life changing chat that lasted well over an hour and a half. Too bad Todd only recorded 30 minutes. But that 30 could be profound for you as well.

Here is a teaser of some of the items that were discussed: How to get Blissed but why that may not be the best thing for you. Why the male ego must die. Let this one sink in: It’s better to express how you feel without being how you feel. Or even this, “it’s not what you say, it’s what is being said”

We don’t want to give all the secrets away but it is conversation that has given us more than just pause. It reminds us that you never know what you will find as long as you keep your eyes open. Greg Colden, of Kona’s Natural Soap Company said it in our interview last Wednesday, “We need to make sure we don’t just look ahead or look behind us. It’s important to see the periphery.”

Connor wanted to play Monopoly. Drew was napping so I figured why not. It was a Lord of the Rings version and it would be some great connection time.

As a 2nd child, I had an older brother who enjoyed inflicting pain on me, both physical and mental. Oh, nothing that child services would be interested in, just but basic sibling rivalry stuff. He was very smart. Still is. He knew how to play me and when I was old enough he would always invite me to play Monopoly. Sometimes we would play with the whole family. Still, I had a few problems with this game. Mainly, it takes way too long and it is a very difficult game to understand if you don’t know anything about finances. And don’t give that line of BS, “Play it more and it will teach you about finances.” BS! It won’t. I played it a fair amount and only grew to dislike it more. You can learn a great deal for it if you have someone who is willing to walk you through it while playing. I didn’t have that.

I never understood how to manage my money and in this game we all know, that’s a problem. I would start throwing temper tantrums when my brother would get all the properties and then tease me. When I played with my family, I would never be told why I should or shouldn’t do something. My parents always drove a hard bargain. They never helped me out. I was less than 12 years old.

So here I am, 31 years later playing with my 7 year old and I could have sat there and drove hard bargains but why? What am I really doing by making him feel bad? By making him lose and embarrassing him am I actually helping him? It was here that I gained my greatest learning. I never realized how I felt while playing this game. I was embarrassed. I felt stupid, bad and alone. Those are pretty tough for a 12 year old who only wants to be a part of the larger group. I am not saying that I had to win as a kid, but I could have used some help and support.

As Connor and I were playing, he got into some situations where he didn’t have enough money to pay me. I suggested  he sell me some properties. Of course he didn’t want to but as we talked it through, he realized he really only had too options. So now he had to become a bargainer. By allowing him to get most of his prices, which allowed him to make money on his original purchase, he felt better. I would usually throw in a guarantee as well, that I would not put any Fortresses or Castles on the properties until after he passed them. A couple of times after he sold me the properties to pay his bills,he saw how little it would cast me to put up a Castle and asked for them back.

Here was another moment. I could have said, “Nope the rules are once a deal is final, you are out of luck.” Imagine yourself as a 7 year old or even a 10 year old. How would that make you feel? Well, maybe you are saying that he has to learn how to make better decisions. Yes he does, but this is a board game and is he really going o hear that when I am saying, “Nope, sorry you lose.” Of course he won’t. He will be upset and not learn a thing. So I elected to take this approach, “Sure. Here you go.” He felt better about it, and then after holding onto the properties for one more turn and paying me in cash, he realized he had to sell them. Guess what? He learned the lesson and all I said was, “Sure. Here you go.” He learned it himself without any shame, blame or bad feelings.

Just because I finally beat someone in a game of Monopoly didn’t mean I actually won. I was victorious because not only did I bankrupt my 7 year old son in this game, but I overcame my issues with my past, and allowed us both to actually enjoy the game and the whole experience. Even so, I still hate Monopoly.

Wait! I am not saying that on Tuesday I am going to wake up and be a different person. I am just saying that the real journey has just begun for me.

If all of this has happened to you, you are a privileged individual. It may have just happened to me.

On Monday, I think I met that person. Want some better news? It’s whom Laura and I were interviewing for our Wednesday edition of Parenting Unplugged Radio. Do not miss this one. I want to know from you if you have the same reaction I did. I hope I am not hyping this up too much, so try not to have big expectations. But know this. It’s a man who makes Chocolate for a living and lives on the Big Island. That’s really all I can tell you.

After a jaw dropping drive over Mauna Koa, the biggest volcano on the planet, we arrived in Volcano on one of the other 4 volcanoes on this island. Kilauea is the one that has been active for almost the past 30 years and is helping expand the island. We were able to see the volcano spew steam hundreds of feet into the air from a very close distance. We were nowhere near the active lava that is coming forth currently. Those areas are closed off but to see the plume of smoke arise out of a volcano at close range is something; especially if you are someone who has lived through the Mt. St Helens explosions of the 80′s and beyond.

After spending much of the day there, we finally arrived at our original destination, Punalu’u. If you enjoy the islands, and I mean any islands, and enjoy running your toes through the sand, this locale might interest you. There is no white sand, only black. If you spend all of your life believing one thing and then are shown something that you never could exist; it is quite a trip.

It felt the same, smelled the same, and essentially was the same. It was just black.

The day was getting long and we had been away from home for 8 hours. It was getting dark and it was time to go home. We had walked along the beach. We had seen the turtles that lay sleeping on the warm black sand and rocks. It was time to get the kids in the car and go. They would be hungry soon. Then Drew, our 4 year old, says, “Why are we leaving so soon? We just got here? This is the coolest sand I have ever seen. I want to play in it.”

I had plans to get everyone fed before sundown and on the road and back home by 9pm. I was on the south end of the Island, 3 hours away from our home and I wanted to go. I don’t know how or why, but as I was sitting there with my toes in the sand, watching my kids look up at me. I thought, “Always bet on black.” Thanks Wesley Snipes.

“Sure, go on kids. Play all you want. We are in no rush.” Remember when you were a kid and your parents got you in the car for a long all day car trip. Along the way, your Dad is getting frustrated because either he is lost or it’s just taking too long with so many potty stops. Well, I remember being that kid. I remember too many long road trips where I wanted to play after we got somewhere and all I got was a terse, “Time to go. Everyone, get in the car. You have seen what we came here to see. Now let’s go.” We don’t have to be those parents. We don’t have to be in that rush. Whether you are on vacation for 7 days or a month, let’s just try to remember to always enjoy the special outings and always bet on Black.

To see more images go to our Facebook page and check them out.

Poop: You may have read about this story on our Facebook page. If not, the saga of a road trip turned into hell and back is smack dab in the middle of this episode and yes it involves. Poop.

Parenting: We were trying to record this show while our children were trying to play nicely. That didn’t last and while Todd did edit out the moments they broke in, we did get the chance to talk about it. Laura explained how she handled one situation and then when Todd handled a similar situation the same way a little bit later, she procalimed, “Well, I would have handled it this way.” Did Todd lose his cool? We don’t hold anything from you on this show.

Sibling Rivalries are something we are locked in right now. Connor (7) and Drew(4) play well well but right now we are 50/50 fun and fighting. It’s driving us both insane.

We did have some wonderful resources to talk about on the Big Island. Our trip to the Sea Horse farm, our venture to Akaka Falls (it says it’s $1 to get it. We didn’t see any of that. It was free) and the Seafood Watch info from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. It’s all good and it’s all in this episode.

This is a stop I think most families with young kids should make on the Big Island. The tour was fantastic, very informative and the kids really enjoyed it. The saw Sea Dragons, hundreds of Sea Horses and yes, all of us had the chance to have one of these little guys wrap themselves around our fingers.

The cost was $35 for adults and $25 for kids. It lasted well over an hour, but the money is key to their research as they are a non grant funded institution. They are doing good work and with the fact that it is projected at our current pace, the world will empty our seas of edible fish in 29 years, we should support what they are doing.

In Hawaii, it is believed that every person has an animal spirit. It may be a Tiger, a Shark, or in Connor’s case a Turtle. Whether or not you believe this, when you are in the Islands, do what the Islanders do. Last year, when we went to our favorite beach, on the first day we saw a turtle along the shore swimming. We continued to see turtles everywhere we went and while they are everywhere around the Island ask those who have come here. Not everyone sees them.

Connor does. He sees them everywhere, or maybe it ‘s that the Turtles see him. Just like last year, he was swimming in the water earlier today and sure enough a young turtle swims up beside him and raises his head. We walked the entire beach with the turtle and kids flocked to our group. Everyone wanted to see the turtle and Connor made sure they did but he also made sure they knew not to touch her. We watched him eat leaves and just enjoy the audience. That whole event seemed pretty inspiring to me, but that was only the half of it.

Last year, when we arrived at the beach late on the first day a family was packing up and leaving and they asked us if we wanted their boogey boards and digging tools. They said someone had given them the boards and they wanted to pass them along. They were in great shape and we used them for the entire month. Today, we had been at the beach for an hour or more and a mom came up and asked if we would like to have their boogey boards as they were leaving the next day and couldn’t pack them. There were hundreds of families on this beach. There were plenty of kids without boogey boards and for the second straight year, someone came up to us and handed us a pair of boards.

I am always floored by the magic of the Islands. Whether it is healing magic or just general creation. Hawaii is something special.

I can honestly say that it really doesn’t matter how old you are, you always feel like a kid again when you say, “We’re going to Hawaii!” When do you know if the trip is going to be a success or not? At the check-in. That seems to set the tone. Get a bad baggage handler, a bad greeter or a computer that won’t work and boom! The trip is off on the wrong foot. No such luck for us. Hawaiian Airlines nailed it, even with the flowers to get us all in the mood.

Hawaiian is kind of like Tiger Woods without all those issues. Straight down the fairway every time.  You are going to get the smiles, maybe a song, the friendliness, the helpful people, the choices. It’s just what they do and now being that it is our 3rd time doing this trip with them. I can honestly say, they got it down. In fact, I might even have a shot at an eagle.

Hmmm, golfing in Hawaii. Nope, not gonna get away with that. The trip was flawless, though I will be honest, we almost left without Laura and Drew. They went off somewhere before the plane left Portland and well, I like to get on planes early. To me it wasn’t a big deal. Then I looked at Connor and realized he was kind of panicked. I hadn’t thought about him. Even though he is 7, and so often I think of him as a big boy, he still wants to make sure his mommy is ok and with him.

Well, we are now here enjoying the beautiful Island and people. Not to say that Portland doesn’t have that but with everyone being so happy to be here and the fact that everyone actually wants some rain in July because it is so hot,  there are some very cool people here.

Mahalo! We will talk more on Wednesday’s show from the Big Island. And thanks again to Hawaiian Airlines for getting us here. They were just what I needed.

Our kids, Connor(7) and Drew(4) were heavily effected by her death. Here, weeks after it, they are still talking about how sad they are and how much they miss her. How does a parent handle the trauma and sadness that exists in a child after something like this?

Enid Traisman is the certified grief counselor & Director of the DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Program. If you have ever had to go through this or are suspecting you will in the near future, make sure to listen to this episode or share it with friends, because when that moment comes, it helps to have some support.

On this episode, Susie opens up and shares the history of how she came to create Indigo Village and a place where parents and kids alike could feel safe, secure and heard. As she spoke to us, she reiterated the fact that Kids are here to teach us parents. That parents are really here to be models for their kids and to keep them safe. It’s information that seems so simple, yet so many parents don’t adhere to it. Take a moment. Listen. Hear what she has to say because we as parents don’t have the time not to.

Gangaji teaches “direct experience,” or meeting whatever emotion is present. For example she says, “Fear is about survival. When you drop under that and experience the fear without trying to change it, just letting it be, then it becomes still. When you open your heart to fear, rather than trying to fight it or deny it or even overcome it, then you find it is just energy.”

We would also like to make sure you know about our latest addition, Zen Parenting, hosted by Todd and Cathy Adams based in Chicago. Their inaugural show is Tuesday, January 4th at 2:30, following our LIVE broadcast. Cathy, the author of The Self Aware Parent brigs great tips and insight while Todd brings a different perspective. I mean, he is a guy. The two of them together make a perfect pair on air. Feel free to chime in with questions while listening live.  

Reference my name (Todd Mansfield) and tell him you heard about it on Todd’s Parenting show.

Call Andy and ask for the Ticket special. It is a lower level ticket and hat for $18 a piece as long as you contact Andy directly. So go for it. Maybe you already have plans, but just a thought. Face off at 8pm. This is a Portland tradition and it’s always against Seattle. A nice rivalry.

Andy Rygg
Corporate Account Manager
Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club
Direct: 971.230.2962
Office: 503.238.6366 ext. 260

In today’s world, a girl’s transition into womanhood is not celebrated like it once was. It is almost frowned upon, shamed and talked about being dirty. DeAnna has taken it on as her duty to change that. Through her own Menarche as a young girl is Israel, she realizes that something must change.

Her book is an inspiration. Her story is beauty. This interview is something all Moms and Dads alike should hear. If you have a daughter of any age, this can help create an even deeper connection.

They talked about a recent Modern Family episode that allowed them to take a drive down memory lane that include VW Things, VW Buses and the time Todd kicked the sliding door off the car.

The real rift came on the show when they started talking about their need for a new Hot Water heater. Laura was on one side and Todd was far away on the other. Do you have those discussions? How do you get past the stalemate?

I came home from a wine tasting (Cathedral Ridge Winery – wow! They have some incredible wines). It was a wonderful night. Laura and I had some time to be together without the kids. They were at home making Gingerbread houses with the Grandma. We had only received one voicemail each from Grandma, so we figured everything had gone well. On a bad night we get 5 or 6 each and a few texts. I took my time driving home and walked in.

“Todd, the basement has flooded again.” The first words I heard from Laura. 1/2 and inch to 3/4 of an inch or water all over the entire basement and into the garage. This isn’t the first time this has happened. In fact, it is the 3rd time it has happened in the last two years. We haven’t had the money to install French Drains around the house. We have focused almost everything on the company.

I wasn’t pissed, I just got to work using my wetvac to suck all the water up. As I was standing their lifting the heavy wetvac for the 20th time, I thought to myself, I get to sleep in a dry bed tonight. I have a home to sleep in. I have a roof over my head. I could go upstairs and cook myself something warm and feel much better. Right then and there I figured out what I wanted for Christmas.

Our family put a $40 limit on gifts. Each of the grown up kids draws one sibling. Then on Christmas Day we all do the exchange. My list will only have one thing on it. I want the family member who drew my name and everyone else I know to give me just one thing.

Please take $40 and take your kid or kids with you down to a homeless shelter and give it to them. A homeless shelter can feed a lot of people with $40. In fact, if all the people I know gave $40 to a homeless shelter, this Holiday season would have some real Christmas Magic. Thanks.

Laura gets huge kuddos this year for finding Portland’s/Beaverton’s (because I can’t tell which town it is in and I didn’t ask) best Christmas Tree lot. This is not your typical corner lot. It was started 18 years and that’s when the owner first started planting the trees in a lot that was left to him by his paretns. Rather than building apartments and making tons of money off it, he started a tradition. One that I would like to support for the next 20 years.

The address is in SW Portland, on 57th Ave off Garden Home Rd. You can’t miss the signs. The best part about it was that these weren’t huge trees, there were U-cuts and pre-cuts, they were all CHEMICAL FREE, and most importantly, the one that Laura priced at the corner near our house was $75 and a comparable and more beautiful one at this place was only $19. Plus, there are hundreds of them. You don’t need to go and say we sent you, but let us know if you go via a comment below.

His hours are Monday – Saturday 10-6, Sundays 1-5. If you call ahead they will hold it open for you (cell only – 971-570-7380)

Seriously, our 6 year old Connor picked out the best tree for us and it fit perfectly within our 8 foot ceilings. They wrapped it up, roped it to the car and away we went.  If you want your tree buying experience to be memorable, put down the chainsaw, don’t break the bank, get the kids out of the three layers you dressed them in and enjoy this place. It’s Portland. We are weird and we like it that way.

Usually we get our Christmas trees out at the family place near Forest Grove. We bundle up the kids, pack them in the car and hope we remembered the saw. Then we drive 40 minutes, usually in the rain. By the time we get there, it often has turned into slush and then we trek up a large hill and start looking. Sometimes we find one that will fit the house. But when they are grown in the wild, they often have thin bases and not many limbs. In fact, more often than not our trees have looked like Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree than something we should have carrying years of memories on it’s arms. Along with that, whenever we get the tree home, I find that we have much trimming to do, because our eyes are not good guessers when it comes to height. Our 8 foot ceilings have taken a beating over the years when we try to jam the tree into the living room.

This year was different. Laura helped a friend who had locked her keys in her car and drove her home to get another set. Along the way she saw some signs to a Christmas Tree sale. After dropping off the friend, she and the boys stopped by and found something magical.

They came home to share the news with me and it fit all of our wishes. The boys wanted to get a tree from a lot and I wanted to make sure that I cut the tree down. On Monday’s show, we will share all of the information about this location: where it is; how to get there and most importantly, price of trees. If you can catch us live at 11am, you can ask questions during the show. If you download us later, or subscribe to our RSS feed, you can prepare to take your family to a local man who has turned something bland into something beautiful.

Happy Holidays…

Author Annie Burnside is an educator, parent, and soul nurturer who helps others awaken to their own truth in all aspects of life by providing the tools and encouragement to experience direct divine connection in everyday reality.

We almost feel like Laura and Annie are sisters from another mother. Todd might just have to take a backseat in this one, but maybe he will be a little bit more spiritual when all is said and done.

We are back and LIVE on Monday at 11. Plus we have some amazing guests lined up int he weeks ahead so don’t miss out.

Plus one of Todd’s more hilarious parenting moments happened on Thursday and he explains. Don’t eat more than 15 minutes before listening to this episode or you will get more than a side ache.

Finally, with the holidays officially here, it’s important we remember to slow down a little and be there for our kids. Remember when your parents weren’t? Remember all those parties that they dragged you two? Some were fun, some were. Just remember how you felt when you were that child. And don’t lie to them J If you need other suggestions, go back and listen to the Dr Shefali Tsabary interview from Tuesday. It’s an amazing interview that helped Todd numerous times just this week with the kids.

Spend a few minutes with Dr Shefali Tsabary and her book, The Conscious Parent and you will feel yourself and your approach change. Laura and I are not saying anyone is right or wrong int he way they parent, but we are saying let’s all strive to be the best we can. Did our parents do that? Maybe. If they didn’t, don’t you owe it to your kids to be the best?

On the serious side, Todd came across a horrible story on ESPN the other night, about a High School Basketball coach who whipped his players. They are suing the school and the the District. The coach ha been suspended with pay and says “I took it upon myself to save these young men from the destruction of self and what society has accepted and become silent to the issues our students are facing on a daily basis. I am deeply remorseful of my actions to help our students.” What would you do if you witnessed a coach hit your child? Some parents were witnesses to this and did nothing. Many still support the coach. Read the story, listen to Tod’s reaction and make your own decision. Comment below.

Also, quick heads up that on Sunday, November 21st, Ba and Josette Luvmour, hosts of Luvmour Family Relationships on Pagatim.fm, are holding an event at our studios to talk about Social Justice and Children. They will discuss the 3 common mistakes parents and teachers make when teaching about social justice and How to engage social justice as a whole family, or a whole classroom, plus more. Click here to sign up, click here to learn more.

Tony Fuentes, Host of LaunchPad Radio (Thurs @ 3pm) stopped by as well to discuss what will be happening with his groundbreaking show focused on local commerce. His first guest is Katrina Scotto di Carlo, one of the co-founders of Supportland.

Plus, what do you do with all of that candy? We asked the listeners and the responses were hilarious, thoughtful and smart. One idea that came on our Facebook site was Halloween Candy Buy Back . While another was, “lettem eat it all at once till they hurl and don’t want candy anymore! No? ” and still another was, “daughter put hers in a kitchen cupboard, declaring “Friday candy for several weeks”. Fine with me” There were many more. Check them out here on Facebook.

Laura and I met Dr. Heather in Hawaii on our visit over the summer and hit it off. We interviewed her on Parenting Unplugged and talked mostly about her new book series, Healthy Body Detectives. We loved her approach to medicine and the way she could deliver a powerful message without an overpowering  lecture.  As a Naturopath, Dr. Heather knows the body can do a great deal for itself, but sometimes it needs the right guidance, a little push in the right direction. That what she does and she does it well.

Her show, Dr. Heather’s Everyday Health talks to Adults and Children alike who want to learn more about how their body can attain its fullest potential. For example, in her inaugural show on Monday, October 4th, she will battle wits with Sugar. You may think you know everything there is to know about the sweet, innocent white powder but it is not your friend. Where did it come from? How did it go from a healthy addition to a sickly factor in our diet?

Laura and I have always said when you have a baby, you leave the Hospital with a 30 year old manual and none of us really know what we are doing. When it comes to food, it’s the same way and if you have been paying any attention, the food you serve your kids today is not the same food you were eating as a child. With Kids having just started to figure out who are their new best friends in school, Dr. Heather will tackle Food as the main theme for the first month, with shows focused on Sugar on Monday, October 4th, Power Breakfasts and Better Lunches on October 11th and After School Snacks and Healthy Dinners on October 18th.

I think if you take the time to listen to what Dr. Heather has to share on Monday’s at 1pm PST, you will become a better parent. Why? Because you will learn the truth about food and how it can become your partner, and help you and your kids lead more healthy, productive life’s. And who wouldn’t want that? If you have questions, then make sure to visit her website and leave her a note. Look to hear the answers on an upcoming episode or in a blog posting. It could be the best thing you do for your kids all day.

Our team was winning, because we had four players playing together and this one boy was trying to do too much all by himself.  They had a corner kick and he couldn’t find anyone open, so he tried to curl it directly into the goal. Suddenly after he and his teammates had run back out to the center of the field, his mother came running out and in front of his entire team, coaches and other parents, she berated him. “If you ever say anything like that again, you are out of here.” His shoulders slumped. He walked off the field crying.  His mom, whom he trusts, had just humiliated him in front of everyone. I’m still mad at myself for not stepping up and telling her to get off the field.

I could point the finger here and honestly, I want to. But I don’t know if I should. So here is what I will say. The mom was embarrassed and reacted. It’s not the place to do that. No matter what the kid said, she shouldn’t have reacted. She should have taken a breath and spoken with him afterward and told him how it made her feel when he said what he did. Some of you may laugh at that and say, “Are you serious? If my kid spoke to me rudely, they are in serious trouble. ” Does that really show your children how to act and behave well? It’s 2010 people. Get over yourselves. I suggest you read Positive Discipline. It’s a miracle worker and fun as well.

The Coaches saw the whole thing and didn’t step up. They should have. They should have spoken to the mother and the father. They also should spoken to the young boy, but they didn’t.  I took the coaches aside after the game and told them how the event made me feel. I also suggested Red Light, Green Light. I made it up on the spur of the moment last season when my son scored 5 goals in the course of 3 minutes at the start of a game. I told him, when you score to start a game, the light goes red, until either the other team scores or you help a teammate score. I explained that his team may be winning but they are only as good as the worst player on his team. He was 5 and a half years old. He said. “Oh man, then we aren’t very good.” I laughed, but he took it to heart and made sure that everyone on his team scored and got better. He learned how to become a better passer, better teammate and it’s paying off this year..

Sports are fun. That’s what they should always be. When parents take it too seriously that’s when it all goes south. Remember they are just kids. On Friday night, I had read the story on ESPN about Eric Snow,  so I as probably very emotionally charged when all this happened. Snow, a former MLB pitcher, gave in to drug use after years of abuse from his father. I’ve seen it as a kid and now on Day 1 of soccer, I am seeing it again: Parents who cross the line. It’s Day 1 of Soccer season and so far it’s been no fun at all.

Chickpea Miso made by Miso Master.  I actually put in two tablespoons and 2 cups of water and warmed it up, stirred and that is it!  It was really easy and tasted great!  They also have a recipe inside the container for the “real thing” but we couldn’t have the scallions and the tofu.  So, there you go.

As I said on the show, glad it is over at the end of today and I feel like I have so much more to do as far as cleaning out the 35+ years of bad food I have put into my body.

But, it was a start.  I am  happy to have done it and am looking forward to the next cleanse in November!  Join Todd (still on the fence) and I if you would like… it should be another fun ride!

Here’s to a connected, happy, Labor Day weekend!

Also, I wanted to share a picture of the great dinner Laura and I had. I hope the picture does it justice. Quinoa, steamed carrots, green beans, portabello mushroom, avocado. It was a fantastic dinner. Had two plates. Even the boys liked it.

Have any of you ever done that? Please reassure me that it’s not as bad as it seems. Please!

By the way, if you haven’t signed up to join us on this journey now that know what will really happen, why don’t you?

“Take note of when your kids are behaving well and give them lots of encouragement and praise when they are well behaved. Kids love to be praised and they will soon become addicted to it. So, always give praise when it is due.”

Oh my God! This is HORRIBLE! Don’t get them addicted to that. Then they start doing things for praise rather than because it is the right thing to do. They will search out praise in work, relationships, in everything. They won’t have a spine and will be crushed when they don’t get praise. If you want to treat your children this way, get a damn Dog. They love praise.

At the office, Laura and I had just finished the Friday Parenting Unplugged show and were just doing some work when we got a surprise visit from the Fire Department on a routine check of the building for hazards.  After 12 years of marriage and 13+ years together I know my wife pretty well, so I immediately looked at her. I swear she was already drooling. They were wearing blue fire department T-shirts, blue pants and boots. What’s sexy about that? As I gazed at my wife who was oblivious to the fact that I was even in the room, I proclaimed, “Maybe I should just get you a bobblehead doll of one of the guys and you will feel better.” Without missing a beat, she turned to me and said emphatically, “Thanks, but a blow up doll would be much better.”

I nearly hit my head on the desk as I fell out of my chair in hysterics. Seriously, I don’t know what it is about a man in a uniform, but women change. They are no longer your wife, your girlfriend, your friend with benefits, they are a woman on a mission, and we guys are just an empty coke can on the side of the road. Trash!

Fortunately, the guys did their job and left quickly. But I could have sworn as they sauntered past the room we were in, they all peered in at Laura and gave her that look that says, “Anytime you are too hot, call us and we will put out your fire.”

Angie Meyer, described as a “former pageant-organization worker,” expressed her dismay with the photos to Fox News: “It’s alarming that this has been turned into a Playboy-esque masquerade, she said. “By implementing topless photos as part of the pageant process, they’re putting applicants in an extremely compromising position.”

This is the comment I love. Donald Trump and NBC are running the event, and Big Don didn’t have to say a thing. Lark-Marie Anton, vice president of marketing and public relations for pageant, put it like this: “The contestants who compete at Miss Universe are diverse, as they represent more than 82 countries around the globe. Many of their cultures embrace nudity.”

I love it! Exactly, when is America going to stop being such a prude about all of this? Watch out for a conversation regarding all of this on Dads Unplugged at 11am on pagatim.fm

By the way, I won’t make you wear body paint, but what about winning $100 for filling out our 3 minute survey? 100 GC from Thinker Toys of Oregon can be yours if you take some extra time today.

What was fun for Laura and myself, and honestly a little scary is we took turns swimming behind the kayak and searching for the Turtles. In the afternoon, the water is rather murky and you can’t see more than a few feet, which means when all of a sudden a massive turtle is four feet from you, it’s rather terrifying. They are used to humans so they don’t take off. They just hang out, Hawaiin style. There was much more to see but we just ran out of time. We will go back, maybe even broadcast a show from there…It was a wonderful day enjoyed by all and yes, we slept very well.

We took a picnic down there and got to the beach at about 5pm, when nobody was there and the waves were. Drew had been talking all day about his new Boogie Board. When Connor was three, last time we were here, he wanted to ride the waves but was scared and had to ride on my back. Drew, not so much. Plus he wasn’t that good at riding on my back. After trying with Laura for a few minutes, I got the call from the bullpen.

It was easy. Drew was a natural, at least at getting on the board and getting back for the next wave. He was hilarious at riding them. There was hooting and hollering and…wiping out! But the smiles were more beautiful than the sunset. This was one of those nights I will remember forever and not just because of Drew.

Connor got over his fear of wearing a snorkel and facemask, well, partially. But he did go out deeper than he could stand on his boogie board and saw his first fish underwater. I don’t know what they were called, but that wasn’t the important part. His reaction in the water was: Pure screaming excitement.

The boys did love the beach as they chased each other up and down in the water. A woman berated Laura for being on her cell phone (she was actually calling me to tell me to come pick them up). Connor and I saw a turtle swimming close to shore. Connor actually led a group of boys who were swimming after the turtle trying to check it out.

It’s a great start. More to post after Day 2.

Spanking always stems from anger. If you weren’t upset, why would you hit your child? If you disagree, take a moment and think about when you last spanked your child. Be honest. Were you angry at the moment you decided they need a spanking? You may have been calm when you spanked them but not at the moment you decided to do it. It’s ok. It’s human nature to want to lash out when we are angry or scared. But there are ways to gain control and do it differently, without hitting your children.

1-BREATHE – Your kids can push your buttons more than your wife. So when you feel “it” coming on, walk away. I’ll be honest, this is hard for me. But I’m working on it and when I do it, it makes a HUGE difference.

2-BE HONEST – When you are ready to come back and talk to your child, be honest with your feelings. If your child has run into the street without looking, make sure they are safe first, then take a moment for yourself and when you have calmed down let them know how much it scares you and how you would feel if a car came and hit them. Make it relatable. Talk about something they have lost forever. They will understand. My 3 year old did. It works. Guys, it’s okay to show some emotion to our kids. Just because your dad didn’t, only means he was taught by someone who was born between 1910 and 1950.

3-LET YOUR WIFE HANDLE IT – Personally I hate this one, because I want to control the situation. I want to show I am a man, but am I really being a man by hitting my child? What good does it do by trying to handle a situation when you have totally lost control? Let your wife take care of it. You score big points with her for walking away and your child will learn that it is better to walk away when angry.

4-CONNECTION BEFORE CORRECTION – Rather than coming in with guns and mouth blazing, as much as the event upset you, understand that your child is ultimately trying to get your attention. Whether it is running across the street, drawing on the living room walls, talking back to you or whatever you feel is worthy of a spanking, they are just trying to get your attention. So give it to them. Connect with them. Give them a hug. If they don’t want one, tell them this, “I’m really in need of a hug, and when you are ready to give me one I’ll be waiting.” Hello! They weren’t expecting that. I’ll bet 9 times out of 10 they are giving you a hug in no more than two or three minutes. And remember, your child will be in a much better place to hear what you have to say if he/she is connecting with you, rather than being spanked.

5-SHUT UP AND LISTEN – Turn your ears on. Hear what they have to say. If you come in talking at them they won’t share or listen. Ask questions. “Why did you run into the street without looking? Why did you decide to draw on the walls? Why did you throw your plate of food the floor? Asking questions makes the process of moving forward easy. It make take a little bit, but they will start to talk and when they do, you will get all the answers you need. This makes them feel important. That’s crucial. Remember, it’s their world and we are just living in it.

Honestly, these are 5 great tools. They are tools that I am trying to use whenever one of my boys is losing it, or performs what might be labelled by some as a “spankable” offense. This is information I have gleaned from lots of different specialists who have been on our show, Parenting Unplugged Radio. I’m not perfect. I struggle as much as you do every day. I am sure you love your kids as much as I do and you want to be the best Dad you can be. So try some of these ideas out and let me know how they work for you. Don’t try them just once, do it 5 or 6 times each and get back to me. They may not work 100% the first time, but they will. Good luck!

Remember, to take our Listener Survey now for a chance to win $100 gift certificate at Black Wagon, Thinker Toys or Milagros Boutique. And sign up for our Pagatim.fm network newsletters today.

Listen Live M-F starting at 8am on Pagatim.fm

To all of you who are new to our site, welcome! After listening to a show or two, you will understand that Laura and Todd are just like you trying to find our way through the Parenting Sea. Each Tuesday we learn something new from our national experts. We welcome feedback via our comment line (503-746-8456), Listener Survey (you can win a $100 Gift Certificate to Thinker Toys or Black Wagon), Twitter or Facebook . Being a parent can be a bumpy road. Hopefully we can make the ride a little smoother.

Then there are the posts that are random, like funny You Tube videos. But as the co-host of a parenting show the ones that always get me are the parenting posts. Just the other day I came across two women who had similar experiences and shared them with everyone. I wanted to share them with you, because I had to wipe away tears…of laughter.

The first one wrote, “I was just told by my 3 year old as he drank out of his sippy cup… “It peed in my mouth! Ha, Ha, ha!”

I didn’t think that could be topped until I read the next post by a friend and another mother.

Yesterday, I walked topless from my bedroom to my bathroom and my two year old said, “Mom, you have no shirt, your milk will fall out!”

Our children are precious. Maybe you don’t want to share everything on Facebook or Twitter or in social media, but make sure you save moments like these. When they have kids of their own, they will appreciate the beautiful humor in this. Ladies thank you for sharing and for allowing me to post this on our web site.

Comment below or call and leave a message at 503-746-8456.

Jane Nelson clarifies for us in her book Positive Discipline that the term discipline comes from the Latin root disciple which means “to teach.”  Discipline is not about punishing your children but rather about connecting with them, staying present with them and teaching them how to live in this world.

Parenting is an art form.  It can be overwhelming and really tough.  It is the rare parent that never struggles or feels exhausted at some point during their parenting years.  On the other hand, parenting is a gift.  It is a spiritual journey that, if you choose to embark upon, you will be forever changed.  Even if you don’t “do your work,” if you are willing to be even a little bit open, you will be changed.  And, if you intentionally choose to take the journey, to “go down the rabbit hole,” to really see yourself through the eyes of your children, then it is a grand adventure indeed.

The entire experience for me around my mother spanking my children, in the long term, has been a gift, because it has brought so much learning into our family.  It has and still is bringing out the worst and the best in all of us.  I couldn’t believe how angry I became when my mother decided no to talk about her choices publically.  But, then I realized that that is her right and that I was even more triggered because this was my mother and all of my family “stuff” was emerging, as a result of this experience.  I felt hurt, let down, abandoned, all things that stemmed from childhood “stuff” versus adult “stuff.”  I fell right into my “old story” versus embracing the opportunity for a “new story.”  In the end, I came to the realization that I believe people spank because they see it works in the short term.  But, studies show that it does not work long-term.

So, I had all of these revelations, then, my mother-in-law called me and was extraordinarily angry about something I had said on our show, again about spanking.  I couldn’t believe how small I felt once again and rather than sticking up for my point of view I fell right into apology.  Hmm… another opportunity for learning…  An old friend used to call them “f…… growth opportunities.”

The learning in all of this continues but one thing I know for sure is this past week I was definitely reminded of my humanness.  Of, no matter how much work I do, there is always more to uncover about myself.  Always more to learn and each “challenge” can also be seen as an “opportunity,” an opportunity for change, to become a better parent, a better human being.  With every lesson we are given a chance to walk in another’s shoes, to have compassion and to work towards understanding.  And then, there are those moments where we need to stand up for ourselves, for our children and do what is right.  Or what we believe is right in that moment….

So much learning in just one week… and spanking such a hot topic… the topic that began this new journey of learning, of growth and in the long run of change….

Top 10 Reasons Father DOESN’T Know Best:

1- He dresses the kids in flip-flops and shorts on a 45-degree day. (When the thermometer hits 100, he sends them out in fleece.)

2- He thinks “quality time” with his kid means watching “Jackass: The Movie” with his 6-year-old son.

3- On the night of his daughter’s first date, he demands that she wear a turtleneck and a chastity belt.

4- When left alone with the kids to make dinner, he serves cinnamon rolls on paper towels as the main course.

5- He nearly gets into a head-on collision with another shopping cart while playing “racecar with your toddler in the driver’s seat.”

6- He insists on wearing his “World’s Best Dad” T-shirt, even when it’s filthy.

7- He loves to toss the baby in the air like a sack of potatoes, often grazing the kid’s head on the ceiling.

8- While trying to keep up with his teenage son, he throws his back out playing HORSE.

9- Instead of giving the kids a bath, he hoses them down in the backyard.

10- He actually believes “father knows best.”

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The next time you see an ad on TV and you see a cute baby, and hear a soft warm voice telling you about how great a particular product is, remember this. Enfagrow wants to have your baby drink chocolate milk all the time. It reminds us that the companies that make all of those products you see every time you walk down an aisle in a grocery store don’t care about you or your babies health. They just want their dollar and if it takes getting your child sick, who cares.

You might say that last comment is unfair, but sticking a bottle in your babies mouth with chocolate milk is unfair. You never gave him or her a chance.

Anyone with information of Kyron is asked to call the Multnomah County Sheriff tip-line at 503-261-2847

The Police have requested that anyone living in a 5 mile radius search their yards and property.
Check outbuildings, under porches, automobiles, old appliances. Anything that a child may crawl into. If you find anything out of the ordinary “do not touch it”. Contact the police immediately. They request the public do not come to the search area.

The latest: One post was this, “orange oil. If it can kill termites it can kill lice… I assume.” Ok, that makes me a little nervous. Because you know when I assume, I make an ASS out of U and ME.

This one I appreciate because she owned up at the end, “There’s also www.delicer.com – non-toxic, used in over 70 school districts here in MI (disclosure: my family’s business)” Ok, I am willing to look into that because she didn’t hide that fact. Thank you.

I am learning this one and if I ever grow hair again, I will use only this, “tea tree oil kills lice” Laura told me we recently stopped using Tea Tree Shampoo on the kids, because we ran out. Damn!

Ok, so I think we have a pretty good list. By the way, Laura caught 4 of those guys today, only because they were so big they were pushing their tassels to the right and didn’t see her coming.

That’s what I have so far. If you have another suggestion, reply or Tweet (parentingunplug) or send us a note on Facebook. In the meantime, we will keep on killing those little buggers.

The other one I got back takes a different approach. “Make a fart joke”

There you have it. Who am I to judge?

One of our favorite guests joins us on Tuesday at 11am: Dr. Bob Sears. He just published his next ground breaking book, The Autism Book. While not known for his titles, he is known as one of America’ premier Pediatricians.

If you have any questions, please leave them here, IM(Click on Listen Live) us during the show, leave them on Facebook or send us a Tweet(parentingunplug). We will ask them all.

While this may not affect your daily life, it may affect someone you know. Make sure to let people know about this interview as it might be the most important one they have ever heard. Dr. Bob Sears on parenting Unplugged Radio at 11am, PST Tuesday April 27th.

This will be the best $5 you have ever spent. A latte passes right through you, this will last forever. Tell every friend you know. Get a taste of it with their LITE version, but you only get 5 of the 52 cards. Each card is less than 10 cents and wouldn’t you say that is worthwhile to better your relationship with your kids? Just downloaded mine at App Store on my iPhone.

Download audio file (parenting201.mp3)

Download audio

Raising Teens: Keeping Perspective and Staying Connected–A Full Day Workshop

This interactive parenting workshop will examine current data on teen behavior, biological development in adolescence, and teens’ social context.  A number of strategies will be shared to assist your family in navigating the adolescent years. In particular we will discuss styles of communication that work best for teens, tips for staying calm, the impact of technology and managing school issues. There will be time for conversation.  Reserve your space by calling Legacy Healthcare Systems at 503 335-3500.

Both Laura and I believe that the use of slings is one of the most loving and wonderful ways to transport your young children.  We used a sling with both of our children. Our youngest son Drew was a preemie and we believe that our wearing him for his first 9 months is one of the reasons he is such a healthy child today. In our humble opinion, the CPSC release was both media hyped and not valid.

The good news is that this report has helped create a wonderful new relationship between Parenting Unplugged Radio and Mothering Magazine.  We couldn’t be happier or more excited to be working with their wonderfully talented team.

This coming Monday, March 22, Parenting Unplugged Radio and Mothering.com will be presenting a special 1 hour long show, “Safe Babywearing”, from 11:30am-12:30pm PST. We will moderate the program and talk in depth with the following experts:

• Glenda Criss-Forshey, President of Babywearing International
• M’Liss Seltzer, author of Mothering Article Babywearing 101
• Jane McClintock, founder of the Facebook Babywearing Safety Page and owner of Quirky Baby
• Alma Gordillo-Webb, Mothering’s babywearing community moderator

You can listen live as you always do via our web page, or you can listen via mothering.com, you can listen live by visiting our new home, PDX.am or you can listen live via your mobile phone at http://mobile.pdx.am. If you have questions or concerns that you want answered by our guests, Instant Message us during the show, send them to us prior to the program at info@parentingunpluggedradio.com, or send us a Tweet at parentingunplug.

Monday March 22nd will be a historical day. Laura and I will be hosting Parenting Unplugged from 11am to 11:30 and then the power hour arrives. So join us. Spread the word. Let the world know about this wonderful tandem ofMothering Radio and Parenting Unplugged Radio. Thank you for your support and we look forward to answering all of your questions.

Happy Parenting,

Todd and Laura