Rolemommy

Book Excerpt: Heading Home with Your Newborn

2010-09-02T12:46:30Z

Pediatricians, moms and authors, Laura A. Jana, MD, FAAP and Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP offer a wealth of "parent-tested, pediatrician-approved" advice in Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality, Second Edition (American Academy of Pediatrics, September 2010). Available on the American Academy of Pediatrics official Web site for parents, HealthyChildren.org. Also available in bookstores nationwide.

The following are excerpts to help parents navigate those first crucial weeks of motherhood and baby care:

Following the Rules: Parenting by the Book
Nowadays it seems you can find well-defined rules about everything from feeding and sleeping schedules to dressing, diapering, and discipline. As convenient as it may seem to have someone write out for you an exact recipe for parenting success, we believe that there is not just one right way to do things. As with diapers and baby clothes, we are convinced that parenting techniques are not simply one size fits all. Our goal is to help famil- iarize you with the basics of baby care, and even more importantly to build your confidence as a parent right from the beginning during what many consider to be an overwhelming time--the newborn period. With a little knowledge and a positive attitude, you will find that you are very capable of anticipating and reasoning your way through even the most challenging aspects of what lies ahead. It's a great feeling to find yourself comfortable enough in your parenting abilities that you don't have to live life with a quick reference guide--ours or anyone else's--tucked in your back pocket.

Breastfeeding Advice
What's "Natural" Doesn't Always Come Naturally
Yes, the act of breastfeeding is "natural," but the truth of the matter is that it doesn't always come naturally. All too often, new parents expect to be handed a newborn who gracefully latches on, nurses no more than 15 minutes on each breast every 3 hours, and delights in a plentiful supply of breast milk within a few short days. While we can only wish this scenario on all of you, clinging to this idealistic picture of breastfeeding bliss is all but guaranteed to set most of you up for perceived failure. If, however, you prepare yourself for the distinct possibility that your newborn may lack interest or sucking stamina, that each feeding may be different, and your nipples may be a little worse for wear early on, well then you only stand to be pleasantly surprised. The most likely scenario: Breastfeeding may be natural, but expect it to be a learning process for you and your baby. Some babies are quick learners, while others take their own sweet time.

Progressive Production
The changeover from colostrum to transitional and then mature milk is an important one. It gives you and your baby's doctor reassurance that all is going well. Because the actual transition is not always so clear-cut, as some women notice very little change in their breasts as their milk supply increases, it is useful to be aware of several other clues that can help you figure out that everything is moving ahead as planned. They include:

* Your breast milk is white instead of yellow in color and appears thinner or clearer.
* Your baby makes more obvious gulping and swallowing noises when nursing.
* Your baby begins to pee and poop much more frequently
* Your baby no longer is losing weight or just holding steady, but instead has begun to gain weight relatively noticeably both on and off the scale.

Formula and Bottle Feeding Advice
We admit it. In many ways, feeding your baby formula may seem much easier than breastfeeding, especially in the beginning weeks. After all, you don't have to worry about having enough of a supply, it's rather painless (if you don't count the sleep deprivation that comes with round-the-clock feeding), and it's easy to monitor your baby's intake. Granted, formula can be costly, you have to wash your supplies, and on occasion a baby will be finicky about which nipple and formula she is willing to accept, but at some point during their child's first year, most of today's parents end up using formula. With that in mind, we intend to give you a practical approach to formula, buying and cleaning bottles and nipples, and troubleshooting for newborns who don't seem to play by the rules.

The Model Bottle: We've found that in reality, most babies go along with their parent's taste in Bottles and there really isn't such a thing as a single "model bottle" - one that outshines the rest. Nevertheless, we have found the following considerations to serve bottle-buying parents well:

* In general, a transparent (ie, not colored) 4-ounce bottle is the most practical choice for newborns.
* Larger (6 or 8 ounce) bottles are fine if you don't mind using them half-full until your baby is bigger.
* Angled bottles and those with disposable nurser bags, built-in vents, or flow and control systems are said to help decrease the amount of air your baby swallows (although regular bottles held at the proper angle will also).
* Disposable bags have the added benefit of, well, being disposable; you only have to wash the nipples after each feeding.

A Bit About BPA
BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical used in many hard plastic products, including some baby bottles, and the plastic lining used in cans of ready- to-feed formula. What's the concern? Studies have shown that this potentially toxic chemical can leach out into food and pose a potential health risk--especially to infants and young children. The likelihood of BPA contamination is thought to be greatest when BPA-containing plastics are scratched or heated, contain warm liquids or food, or are washed with harsh detergents. While the use of BPA is not yet banned in the United States, several cities and states are considering or have already prohibited its use.

The advice we have for parents? Minimize your baby's exposure to BPA by purchasing baby bottles that are labelled "BPA-free" and consider avoid- ing plastics with a #3 or #7 recycling symbol on the bottom (since these recycling categories may sometimes include BPA-containing plastics). And lastly, check for labels that state "dishwasher safe" or "microwave safe" before placing plastic containers in the dishwasher or microwave.

The Heading Home with Your Newborn excerpts are sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer's Network.

Donating Pre-Loved Stuffed Animals

2010-09-02T12:16:18Z

Guest Post By Lisa Novick, Co-Founder of www.yeskidzcan.com, a do-good company dedicated to bringing giving experiences into young kids' lives.

A stuffed animal menagerie lives in my daughter's room. Animals of all species and shapes which are lovingly jammed inside a wooden trunk at the end of her bed. Stuffed animals carry such significance for children - each with its own story and memory. There's the sad looking dog she won at a boardwalk game at the beach. There's the manatee her Miami-residing aunt sent her for a birthday present to remind her of Florida. There's the first animal her dad got her on the day she was born. She sleeps with this raccoon every night. And there is even the first stuffed animal I received as a child that I passed on to her because I couldn't bear to give it away.

My father gave me - of all things - a llama which I creatively named, "Llama." It stands one foot tall with orange-brown glass eyes, a tuft of white bangs, and a surprising noise maker in its chest. One push creates a startling bleating sound that sends any dog in the vicinity into a frenzy. "Llama" is now very old. Its legs are bowed and a few metal supports jut out here and there. (Don't worry, they are blunt and won't hurt anybody.) This one stuffed animal has followed me from childhood to college to my first apartment and now - to my daughter.

So you can imagine my surprise when just the other day, my daughter announced that it was time to pass along a large selection of her stuffed animals to kids who needed them more than she did. I have been trying to get her to do this for a while. Not because I am a cruel mom, looking to break her spirit by separating her from her animals and all their furry memories. She simply has so many of them from friends and relatives and birthday party favors that it seems - well - excessive.

I suggested that she divide the animals into three piles:
1) Definite giveaways
2) Definite keepers
3) Undecided

To my shock, she quickly created a huge pile of giveaways, a modest pile of keepers, and an understandable amount of undecided's. A quick conversation about each of the "undecided's" helped put them in their rightful spot.

Our next decision was to research where to donate the critters. (A decent number of groups exist that take stuffed animals. However, it important to note that many organizations request only new ones.)

We got online together and found two groups that my daughter liked that take pre-loved animals:

Project Smile: This group provides police officers with gently used stuffed animals for them to give to children who have experienced tragedy or trauma.

Loving Hugs: This group sends stuffed animals to children living in war zones, refugee camps, orphanages, and hospitals or medical facilities around the world.

You do have to cover shipping costs if the group you choose does not have a drop-off location near you. (Loving Hugs helps you save on shipping costs by accessing their UPS account and taking advantage of any volume rate reduction that may apply.)

With our donation game plan in place, my daughter had one more idea. Since she was donating so many of her animals, she was wondering if she could buy one new animal for herself that had meaning. Every parent will have a different response to this, I'm sure. I decided that this was okay by me. Donating her animals was her idea in the first place. She happily selected a treasure trove of creatures to make others happy. And stuffed animals - whether old or new -- carry a lot of sentimentality. Just ask "Llama" which - you will be relieved to know -- remains safely in its rightful home - in the trunk at the end of my daughter's bed.

To hear about more great deeds from kids and how you can get your own children involved in the giving spirit, visit YesKidzCan.

Shrimp Salad with an Edge

2010-08-31T17:02:44Z

Sometimes the end of summer can be a bit depressing, but not if you are eating like a Queen or King. This shrimp salad I concocted with the ingredients I had in my fridge from a Rhode Island Farmer's Market just made my day. I hope it makes yours!

End of Summer Shrimp Salad with an Edge:

1 lb small to medium shrimp, shelled and steamed
8 ears of corn, steamed and kernels cut off with a knife
1 seeded and sliced cucumber
1/2 cup chopped red cabbage
1/2 cup dressing of your choice
1/2 carrot, peeled and chopped
3 thinly sliced scallions
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup cooked orzo or small pasta or noodle

Combine all together, let chil and marinate lfor at least an hour and serve. Enjoy!
3/4 tsp salt.

For more great recipes by Alma Schneider, visit her at Take Back the Kitchen.

(da)D-List of Signs It's Time For Kids to Go Back to School

2010-08-31T14:27:39Z

The latest hilarious D-list for parents from The Kid Dictionary author and dad, Eric Ruhalter...

1. Mom's voice no longer registers in kids' ears.

2. Every family member has consumed twice their body weight in Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. And Freez-Pops are under consideration to become their own food group.

3. Kids now so bored with the pool that they'd rather go clothes shopping.

4. Food left in lunch box since June has grown into a large furry purple organism that is pushing open the pantry doors.

5. The ice cream man has taken in 10% of parents' combined annual salaries.

6. All school summer reading materials have been ignored, lost, replaced and ignored and lost again.

7. Children now so tan that chocolate ice cream (purchased from the wealthy ice cream man) is no longer noticeable when they get it all over their faces.

8. Lack of intellectual stimulation has rendered kids incapable following the plot of a Sponge Bob episode.

9. Kids just finally getting used to sleeping in enough that catching the morning school bus will be a problem.

10. Mom is standing on the edge of the roof, ranting unintelligibly, wearing nothing but an inner tube, a faux fox fur boa and a conquistador helmet, and swinging a dead trout in circles over her head.

Eric Ruhalter is the creator of funny gift book series for parents: "The KidDictionary: Words Parents Need To Describe Their Kids." Take a hysterical look inside them by watching the videos at www.TheKidDictionary.com. Looking's always free. Eric lives in Morristown, NJ with his wife Kara and 3 vocabulary-defying children. Eric Recently won the Morristown Green Film Festival with his short "Good For the Earth"

10 Things to Do In Bar Harbor Maine

2010-08-29T15:53:58Z

Well, our vacation is officially over and as we're headed down the highway back to New York, I've compiled my top 10 highlights from our trip to Maine. Thanks to my friend Jennie at Baby Name Wizard, I was armed and ready with her family's favorite things to do in Bar Harbor and I have to say, Jennie was right on the money. So this list will include a few of Jennie's picks sprinkled in with our fave finds. Take a look...

1. Watching the sun set on Cadillac Mountain. One of the most amazing places I have ever seen is Cadillac Mountain, located high atop a summit in Acadia National Park. The views are incredible and the kids had fun climbing the rocks as we looked out over the water and watched the sun go down over the mountains. One suggestion - dress warm! Once the sun disappears, the temperature drops at least 15 degrees.

2. Diver Ed's Dive in Theater - This made Jennie's kids' must see list and it tops ours too. If your family is in the mood for entertainment, then get ready for Ed - a diver/commercial scallop fisherman who appears to be a cross between Jim Belushi and Zach Galifianakis ("The Hangover"). Diver Ed, his incredibly knowledgeable and witty wife, mini Ed (a tiny action figure who takes a beating from sea creatures), Evil Ed (I believe a guy with a beard who was perched at the back of the boat), his nephew and two New Foundland dogs who demonstrate how to properly wear a life vest, offer an action packed underwater tour for passengers. No worries - you and your kids don't participate in the dive (the water is way too cold), but Diver Ed jumps in three times a day along with a hi-tech video camera that he uses to captures the activity 25 feet below the sea and a bag that he uses to catch a few creatures that he brings back on board so that the kids can touch, carry and play. The only request - don't squeeze the animals! The tour lasts two hours and it's well worth the trip - even in the rain!

3. Jordan Pond Nature Trails & the Jordan Pond House - If you're up for a hike that's not too strenuous and ends in tea with popovers overlooking Jordan Pond, then this is the excursion for you. Jordan Pond Restaurant can get pretty busy so be prepared to wait or if you're impatient like us, buy a Popover mix (or chilled whoopie pies) in the gift shop and make them when you get home. The trail we took led us along the pond - giving us ample time to take frequent breaks where the kids sat on the rocks and my daughter accidentally stepped in the water with one of her converse sneakers - not a particularly fun moment for her but she survived. The views from the base of the pond were gorgeous - we captured several shots of Bubble Mountain. We called it something else though - take a guess...

4. Listen to the Waves at Thunder Hole - Another must see in Acadia National Park - where the water crashes into rocks made of granite and the sound that erupts bears a striking resemblance to thunder - hence the name. There are also places to climb although if you have a fear of heights, I'd say opt for the Jordan Pond excursion and hold onto the railing at Thunder Hole while you watch the waves.

5. Take a Walk to Bar Island During Low Tide - This was totally cool - in the morning, the entire area is covered in water and by late afternoon, the sand bar is exposed so that cars can drive and pedestrians and dogs can walk across to Bar Island. The kids can cruise for shells and crabs while you take a lazy walk along the beach. But make sure you head back before the tide rolls back in or else you'll be swimming back to your hotel!

6. Whale & Puffin Watch, Nature Cruise or Lobster and Seal Watch - The Whale Watch takes the longest and fills up first and can also be tough for people with weak stomachs so I suggest the Lobster fishing and Seal Watching excursion that only lasts 90 minutes. Your kids will get the chance to touch sea creatures (like Diver Ed's adventure but not as funny) and you can get some great photos of seals. And they don't go too far out to sea, so the ride is pretty smooth.

7. Best Breakfast - Michelle's Bistro - There are a few breakfast joints in Bar Har including Jeannie's (there's always a wait) and Testa's, but don't believe the hype or long lines. Our favorite by far was Michelle's Bistro - located in an Inn near some cute shops (my fave was the store that was full of Suncatchers). We sat out back on a deck, enjoyed blueberry pancakes, omelets, french toast and more and the service was fabulous. And the kids loved Rosie - the proprietor's friendly and fluffy dog.

8. Best food and fun for Adults & Kids - Geddy's - It took a few tries to get into Geddy's but once we did, we understood why there's always a wait. They have tons of lobsters, towers of nachos, fried seafood galore and friendly waiters who take your picture and put it on their website. Plus, the kids placemats rock. Trust me when I tell you they'll be coloring throughout dinner and once they're done, they can present their finished product to the gift shop and win a prize (some beads and tchotchkes from a treasure chest). We also loved Geddy's Down Under - the gift shop where the kids picked up cool sweat shirts and my husband bought a rain coat for a steal (less than $30).

9. Blueberry Mojitos at the Harborside - This summer, it's been all about blueberries and since Maine is known for them, I decided to try out all the alcoholic beverages featuring this incredibly healthy fruit - hello acai berries! While Stewman's Lobster Pound offers a blueberry martini (which I tried), the best blueberry beverage on the island goes to the Harborside which offers blueberry mojitos by the pool - in two words: muy delicioso!

10. Best Ice Cream - Ben & Bills - Within 24 hours of arriving in Bar Harbor, we discovered Ben & Bills - where they make their own ice cream and fudge and the line loops out the door every single night. In fact, they even sell lobster ice cream - which we tried - the kids didn't care for it much but instead, opted for the chocolate tsunami (chocolate, marshmallow, oreos and more) and I went for the sugar free blueberry ice cream. Just be prepared - while you're deciding what to order, the scoopers are constantly shuffling you down the line - it can get a bit off-putting when you're trying to make a decision but I guess that's how they keep the patrons coming in fast and furious. I discovered while we were there that USA Today just selected Ben & Bill's as the best ice cream parlor in Maine and as a dessert afficionado, I knew my senses were right on target!

A few more picks include Stewman's Lobster Pound which was visited by the Obama's this summer (they've got a sign to prove it), the amazing Italian restaurant at the Harborside where you get to create your own pasta dish and the Bar Harbor Club where we received a host of spa treatments - from a facial, to massage, a dip in the jacuzzi and a manicure.

Have you been to Maine? If so, share your top picks and stories!

One Day: The Last Great Read of the Summer

2010-08-29T13:34:33Z

We've got one more week to go until summer is officially over and that means, we have one more book to recommend to our readers before you dive into all that back to school madness. Thanks to my good friend Julia Beck, who runs Forty Weeks, she recommended I read One Day (Vintage Contemporaries Original)
by David Nicholls, a novel which spans three decades and captures the friendship, roller coaster careers and romance between Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley. (Incidentally, Julia got her recommendation from her friend JodiFur - so thank you, thank you, thank you Jodi for your fabulous book pick!)

Let me first say, that One Day has all the ingredients that I absolutely adore about books - it's set in London (I love British chick lit). It starts out as the pair are graduating college in the 1980's (check, I went to college in the 80's too) and it tells the story of Dex and Em's on again, off again friendship/relationship over the course of more than 20 years. I started the book on the way to Maine and couldn't put down my Kindle on the drive home - my hubby was thrilled about that one. All I can say is, run, don't walk and BUY THIS BOOK! It's being made into a movie starring Anne Hathaway - although I would have preferred to have seen it made 10 years ago with Minnie Driver and Hugh Grant but I'm a sucker for British actors and actresses. Plus, there's an incredible twist near the end that had me crying while reading the remaining chapters. My family of course made fun of me since I've been known to cry during iCarly, but seriously - if you are on the lookout for a fabulous summer read as we wind up this season, then One Day (Vintage Contemporaries Original)
is the book for you.

Eating Healthy with Chef Mehta

2010-08-22T13:16:49Z

By Role Mommy Contributor Aloha Pat, founder of Mom's Best Bet.

I recently had to the opporunity to meet Chef Jehangir Mehta in Hawaii while he took keiki (children) on a food adventure through Whole Foods Market.

Check out your Whole Foods to see when he will be coming to your store. Your kids will learn a lot about healthy eating and so will you!

WHAT: The Kids Food Adventure with Chef Jehangir, a national children's food tour and cooking class, is coming to a Whole Foods Market near you to offer families a free tour and demonstrations.

This program is a partnership between Whole Foods Market and Chef Jehangir Mehta, runner up on "The Next Iron Chef" and executive chef/owner of Graffiti, to encourage families to make healthier choices while introducing their palates to new
ingredients and exciting flavors.

The food adventure is led by Chef Mehta and includes an interactive store tour,
educational and creative cooking demos as well as interactive discussions
designed to encourage healthy, adventurous cooking at home. Following the
New York City launch in April 2010, The Kids Food Adventure with Chef Jehangir
has made stops in cities around the country and is part of Whole Foods Market's
effort to promote lifelong positive eating habits for children.

For more great travel and food tips from Patrice, visit her at MomsBestBets.com

What's in Your Attic?

2010-08-22T03:45:36Z

The GO Mom, Lorraine Brock offers tips on organizing this Unseen Area

I'm in Texas and organizing your attic isn't something one would do in the heat of July or August. If you don't have a heat stroke working in your garage, you're sure to have one in the temperatures that peek and hover around 140 degrees in your attic.

In other states where there's not such extreme temperature and/or basements are available, storage becomes less of an issue. However, if you are in areas of the country where steamy summers go with extreme heat, you have to work with what you have. The attic is an area that, for many, allows for additional space for storing keepsakes, Christmas decorations and other rarely used items.

If you've lived in extreme heat most of your life, you probably already know how to use your attic. But for those who are new to the extreme heat or have never really ventured into that deep dark space, let me give you some organizing tips to utilize this coming fall.

As a Professional Organizer, I meet many clients who do not want to use their attics for storage space; their main concern is the heat. I've lived in Texas all my life and have successfully used my attic space without damage to my belongings, giving me less clutter in the spaces that I do use daily.

While there are items that don't belong in the attic such as candles, leather, photos, slides, film footage, vinyl records, VCR tapes, camcorder tapes, music tapes or any similar type of media in the attic. Most items fair very well.

For items that you can put in the attic, let's look at a system for keeping it organized, easy to find and that allows you to know what's up there in a snap.

Use plastic bins if possible; this keeps insects and dust out. Purchase the sturdier bins with handles that lift up over the lid and snap on both sides. Inexpensive bins are thinner and more likely to warp in the heat, especially when the contents inside the container are pushing on the inside walls. If you don't want to invest in bins, then you can obtain FREE cardboard boxes at any grocery store during their stocking times (usually at night). Just beware when getting boxes down years later that you don't bring them into your home. Often there are silverfish or other insects inside. You might want to consider using the newer Jumbo Zip Lock storage bags to put items in before storing them in a box. This is less costly than purchasing plastic bins and would protect the contents when using a cardboard box.

When storing items in containers, consider writing on a notepad what items are being stored in each container. You can be as detailed or as generic as you'd like. For example, a box filled with miscellaneous items from childhood might be listed as "souvenirs," "first baseball bat" and "slot cars," or you might just say, "Bob's Childhood Keepsakes."

Next, give each box a number using colored index cards. For example, write the number (1) on two index cards. Then tape the index cards, one on the front and one on the side of the container using clear packing tape. If you use sticky labels, chances are they will fall off due to the extreme heat.

On your notepad write "Box 1" then the contents, again being as detailed or as generic as you'd like. Continue this process until you have all the items in your attic organized and listed on your notepad. It's best when stacking the containers to stack in numerical order.
When completed, take this list and create a simple spreadsheet on your computer. Make a folder on your computer titled, "Master List." Then create a subfolder titled, "Attic Storage." You can create other subfolders under "Master List" for anything such as medication lists, emergency forms, camping supply list, etc.

Keep a hard copy of the list on a clipboard that hangs on a nail in your garage or attic. This will allow you to easily find what you need.

A few other things to remember when cleaning out your attic this fall:
If you have older kids not living with you, give them a time and date to retrieve their items to organize their own storage. Or, let them know you will be making a donation in their name this holiday season.

Keep empty computer and electronic equipment boxes with their Styrofoam and packaging for future use in your attic. These items sell better with the original packaging.

In cases where you have an "IT" guru in your home, thoroughly examine the box sizes and start packing them inside each other. You'll be amazed by how many boxes will fit together.

Avoid saving every box an item comes in that you purchase during the year. I normally save the box for 30 days only (keeping it in the garage) -- in case the product is defective. After that, the box goes to recycling.

For more great tips from the GO mom, visit her online at Get Organized!

Alma's Chipotle Corn Salad

2010-08-22T03:39:26Z

'Tis the season to eat corn but I, for one, like to cut mine off the cob because of some unpleasant memories involving corn and having braces at age thirteen. Few frozen foods excite me as much as my own corn, cut off the cob, frozen in an airtight ziploc and later defrosted to make this delectable salad with a kick once all the awesome summer corn is gone. Take the time to shuck and cut some of those kernels off those cobs for later-you'll be glad you did.

Chipotle Corn Salad:

3 cups corn,steamed for 5 minutes, cooled and cut off the cob (about 5 corn cobs)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
4 tomatoes , med. sized, seeded and chopped
1 tsp salt
few grinds pepper
Olive oil to taste, start with one TBS to taste
1/4 tsp ground chipotle pepper
juice of 1/2 lime

For more great recipes from Alma Schneider, visit her at Take Back the Kitchen

Mix all above ingredients together in a big bowl. Delicious as a side dish!

The Imagination Playground & the Seaport Museum

2010-08-22T00:56:47Z

This week, we got the chance to host a fun filled family event with Kim at Mom in the City where we introduced our favorite parenting bloggers to the brand new Imagination Playground, designed by world renowned architect David Rockwell and located at the South Street Seaport Museum in New York City.

Rockwell Group project designer Barry Richards provided us with a grand tour of this spectacular location for kids that comes complete with an aqua theater, building blocks, a sand area with real sailing masts, hammocks, climbing structures and much more! Check out our Whrrl slide show.

More check-ins at South Street Seaport Museum

Next, find out more about the Imagination Playground with this fun video from the event.

Fun and Adventure Aboard the Peking Ship at South Street Seaport

Stew Leonard's: The Disneyland of Dairy Stores

A big shout out to the Rockwell Group and the Imagination Playground, the South Street Seaport Museum, Wichcraft for providing yummy sandwiches and Stew Leonards for their drinks and delicious ice cream treats for kids and parents!

Tea Time with Nanny McPhee

2010-08-18T20:28:37Z

There is something magical that happens when you get the opportunity to spend a morning with an Academy award-winning actress and screenwriter. The experience is transformational and leaves you energized and inspired to tackle anything that life throws out you - and as a mom - life can certainly throw many curveballs your way. This week, I got the chance to meet Emma Thompson, when the Nanny McPhee star sat down for tea and conversation with parenting bloggers. To say I was thrilled is the understatement of the year.

In "Nanny McPhee Returns," Oscar®-winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson returns to the role of the magical nanny who appears when she's needed the most and wanted the least in the next chapter of the hilarious and heartwarming fable that has enchanted children around the world.

In the latest installment, Nanny McPhee appears at the door of a harried young mother, Mrs. Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war. But once she's arrived, Nanny McPhee discovers that Mrs. Green's children are fighting a war of their own against two spoiled city cousins who have just moved in and refuse to leave.

Relying on everything from a flying motorcycle and a statue that comes to life to a tree-climbing piglet and a baby elephant who turns up in the oddest places, Nanny McPhee uses her magic to teach her mischievous charges five new lessons.

Our group had the privilege of chatting with Thompson about the film, the sacrifices women make in order to juggle work and motherhood and what she hopes audiences of all ages will take away from "Nanny McPhee."

Take a look...

Question: What about the film resonates with you?
Emma: I think everything because I wrote it....You know the screenplay is ready because the frequency is right. When you get the frequency right that's when you get the comments from mothers from all over America who say, I knew that my children were enjoying it at the time because they forgot to eat their popcorn. I love that.

Most powerful scene...
...There's a point (in the film) when Celia goes up to the Rolls Royce expecting her mum and she opens the door and her mum's not there and there's that exquisitely touching exchange where she says, "I expect she's very busy" and the chauffeur says, "Yes she's very busy and they're both hiding the fact that she doesn't care and she's not there because she doesn't care.

Emma's take on work and motherhood:
At moments, you have to make sacrifices for your children and in my case, it would be the sacrifice of work that I want to do. You think, 'oh I'd love to do that job and I would get so much pleasure out of it, I'd be able to do it so well' and then you look at the timing of the job and you realize it's just when your kid is starting school and you think, I can't do that. Because the one thing you're not going to be thinking on your death bed is "Gee, I wish I made more films. Or I wish I had spent more time at the office or I wish I had written more articles." You're going to be remembering hopefully, all the lovely times that you said now I'm not going to do that, I'm going to trot off to Spain and learn spanish with my daughter. The things that you do with your kids are the things that you remember.

Question: What do you feel is the more demanding profession, writing or acting?
Emma: Well, writing is a gift - I can write and be entirely available. I can get my daughter to school, be there weekends, pick her up from school, muck about, cook dinner, chat, put her to bed. I can be a writer and a mother, I can do both of those things and I love it, that's great. Acting is different. Because not only are the hours different because you sometimes leave before your kids get up and get home after they've gone to bed and you don't see them for days on end. Also, and this is slightly more complicated, you're actually pretending to be someone else which is psychologically very demanding and I realized that my attitude and my relationship with acting changed completely when I became a mother because a new identity was born that I couldn't slip out of.

Question: How has the film been adapted from the Nurse Mathilda book series?
Emma: The character is definitely there, I've kind of developed that character further. Christianna Brandt wrote them in the 50's and grew up with lots of nannies in India and her grandfather used to tell her these stories. He invented this strange ugly character who got prettier every time the children's behavior changed. Cinematically, she's not ugly because she's a bad person and does she change or does the way they see her change? Or is it because "That which is loved is always beautiful" which is one of my favorite proverbs (Thompson credits producer Lindsay Duran with sharing that Norwegian proverb with her). Children are so brilliant and extraordinary and don't even perceive huge differences in people's human exterior traits. All they notice is what you're like on the inside because their instincts are as yet, untrammeled. They haven't been locked into assumption.

Question: What would you like young moviegoers to learn the most from the film?
Emma: I want them all leaving the cinema feeling different. I want them to feel inspired. And I want them to feel they can sort their own problems just with a little nudge here and there...Because child problems are often much better solved with child solutions and our solutions might be very wise and good but they may not work a lot of the time and I think that children need to know their own capacities. And I think they often feel their limitations too strongly.

Thompson on Overprotective parenting:
And I think as we become more and more protective because we're so frightened, because we're always trying to protect our children. If you're not allowed risk as a child, you will not develop independence, you will not make the mistakes that will save your life later on, that's the thing. Risk is like a vaccination. Accidents are like a vaccinations...and you may say "I remember when I fell off that chair" and it may have been a tiny little accident but you remember and it's a muscle memory and that's what saves your life.

More from Emma Thompson this Friday when Nanny McPhee Returns opens nationwide in theaters!

Take Back the Kitchen...with Mango, Avocado Jicama Salad

2010-08-18T00:00:13Z

Are you afraid to admit that you don't know what jicama is (pronounced "hikama")? Well, fear not because you are not alone. It is a refreshing and crunchy root vegetable that is a wonderful addition to salads. Enjoy this summery recipe that will certainly be a pleaser at your next BBQ or for just a simple dinner at home.

Mango, Avocado Jicama salad:

1/2 large jicama, peeled and cut into 1/4" cubes (pronounced "hi-ca-MA" and can be bought at Whole Foods or most Asian or Latin food stores)
1 avocado, peeled and cubed into 1/4" cubes
1 large mango, peeled and cut into 1/4" cubes
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
1 to 1 1/2 TBS lemon juice
1 TBS finely chopped jalapeno pepper (optional-more or less than I used)
olive oil to taste
salt to taste

Combine all ingredients and stir together very gently so that the avocado does not get mushy. Enjoy alone or as a side dish for fish or anything from quesadillas to an omelette.

For more from Alma Schneider, visit her at Take Back the Kitchen.

Sneak Peak: Nanny McPhee Returns

2010-08-17T20:35:53Z

Calling all Nanny McPhee fans! Only three more days to the release of Nanny McPhee Returns and here at Role Mommy, we had the opportunity to see the film and interview Oscar winner, star, screenwriter and Role Mommy extraordinaire Emma Thompson. We'll be sharing excerpts from our parenting blogger roundtable chat with Thompson held at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City along with our review of the film. In a word, Nanny McPhee Returns is phenomenal!

For now, take a look at the trailer and keep checking back for an unbelievable tea talk with Emma Thompson.

Kids & Tweens: Customization is the Name of the Game

2010-08-16T20:43:26Z

If you're busy getting your kids ready for school, this year is all about customization. Whether it's getting a pair of tricked out kicks, a shirt that you can accessorize with a brand new creation called Switchittz or going old school and sending notes to your friends with stationery that looks like your child, we've got some great finds that'll earn your kids points in the best dressed category this fall!

1. Get Your Kid a Pair of Custom Kicks...
My kids had a ball designing their own Converse sneakers today and it's so much fun that I might even hop on the website and order a pair for myself. My daughter went for turquoise high top sneakers with a leopard stripe and her nickname on the back. My son opted for low tops in blue camouflage and my niece picked out a pretty pair of pink sneakers. Once you design your own Converse, it takes about 3-4 weeks for your shoes to be delivered - let's hope their feet don't grow! Take a look...

2. Kids Shirts by Switchittz
Here's a brand new creation that's sure to be a hit with pre-schoolers to pre-tweens. With Switchittz, your child picks a shirt with a scene that they love - from princess, to outer space, to jungle safari and then they make the t-shirt their own by adding fun patches that you can easily take on and off with velcro. Forget silly bandz! Make a fashion statement this fall with Switchittz! Available in stores nationwide this October.

3. Get Your Tween to Design their Own Note Cards with Design her Gals
One of my favorite things to do this summer was to design a package of note cards that looked exactly like my daughter. At Design her Gals, your tween can visit the site, customize their gal, dress her up and put her on everything from note cards, to e-messages to note pads and much more. Plus, a portion of all proceeds are donated to the Gal to Gal Foundation, assisting patients and families battling stage IV breast cancer.

Coming soon...great iPhone Apps that'll get your kids armed and ready to tackle math, reading and recess!

Five Things I Learned While Getting Gorgeous

2010-08-13T18:39:51Z

Recently, I got the chance to attend a pampering event hosted by two of my favorite blogging fashion savvy moms, Audrey McClelland and Vera Sweeney. The two have recently launched a new event company called "Getting Gorgeous" and together, they managed to kick off an event that was the talk of last week's BlogHer convention (a gathering of thousands of female writers that took place this past week in New York City).

In two massive rooms at the Warwick hotel, Audrey and Vera created an experience for bloggers where we had our faces transformed by ELF cosmetics, our hair styled by Remington (we got to go home with a professional flat iron and curling iron), I learned a new fashion word (more on that soon) and I gained two inches in height.

So where do I begin? Simple. How about the five things I learned at Getting Gorgeous:

1. I Look Good in Jeggings. Or at least fashion stylist extraordinaire Robert Verdi says I do. While cruising through the fashion room, I met the founder of Miracle Body jeans - a new product that'll take 10 pounds off your frame the moment you put them on. Don't go on the scale girls because your weight will stay the same, but Miracle Body sucks you in in all the right places and has styles to fit every shape. Robert Verdi was on hand to style all the moms who visited the Miracle Body table and when he took one look at me in my flowy lavendar skirt, he instantly told me I was a candidate for jeggings. What are jeggings, you ask? Simple - jeans that are leggings. While I haven't worn leggings since the late 80's, I threw caution to the wind and slipped on a pair. According to Robert and a few other women who were checking out my butt (because I asked them to), I supposedly looked damn good in my jeggings. I can't wait to pair them with a long sweater. If only I could find those Bennetton jerseys I was obsessed with back in high school. Oh well, a girl's gotta dream.

Want more jean's tips from Robert Verdi? Then check him out here...

2. I don't have to go to the gym to get a tight butt. I just need to buy Skechers Shape-Ups. After squeezing out of my jeggings, I zipped over to Skechers where I met fitness guru Andrea Metcalf. Andrea, who writes for Oprah.com and has a new book and three DVD's coming out this fall, was on hand to tell us all about the benefits of Skechers Shape Ups. When I got the chance to try on a pair (I felt like Cinderella in sneakers), I actually grew two inches! The soles of the shoes are elevated and curved in a way that helps you tone your legs, thighs and buns when you're out and about. Which means I can get in shape racing to my commuter train instead of running on a treadmill. Brilliant!

3. Remington curling irons can give your hair that red carpet twirly look. I'm still trying to figure out how it works without burning myself, but luckily, my curling iron came with a heat resistent glove that I can slip on when I'm attempting to wrap my hair around the iron and create bouncy curls. The Remington flat and curling irons totally work - you just have to practice a bit to make it do the things those professional hair stylists can do with it.

4. I don't have to spend a boatload of money on make-up to look great. I've actually been using ELF cosmetics for a while and happen to really like their make-up brushes, foundation, lip gloss and liners. If you're like me, you probably have a favorite brand of lipstick or eyeshadow but I love that with ELF you don't have to blow your entire paycheck on make-up. A little cash goes along way with the products and best of all, you'll look great in the process.

5. When in doubt, accessorize. Back over to the fashion room, I fell in love with Lia Sophia - a mom-owned jewelry design business offering beautiful necklaces, earrings and bracelets - and I got to take home a really pretty necklace that I plan to throw over a long flowy top that I'll wear with my jeggings.

For more information about all the amazing products that were featured at Getting Gorgeous (one more big shout out to the super cool powermat I received that charges everything from iPhones to my son's Dsi XL). Plus if you visit Vera and Audrey's site, you can sign up to potentially attend future events and receive tons of awesome goodies.