Here are eight activities to do with the kids when there isn’t any snow:

1. Go for winter walks. When you have older children, you might be able to get a longer walk in when it is sunny, during a mild winter. You can work in some exercise, and so can your kids. On your walks, you can point out wild critters that are also enjoying the mild winter weather, such as certain birds, squirrels, hawks.

2. Try winter camping. When it is a warmer winter, there is an endless possibility of activities to enjoy. Go winter camping in a tent, with super warm sleeping bags; the kind that surrounds your body, with a hood attached. You can have a great time camping without freezing all weekend.

3. Considering you can’t enjoy ice fishing during a mild winter, fish from a dock or a boat. Dress warmly, and teach your kids the finer points of fishing. Instead of buying dinner, bring home a free meal instead!

4. Feed the geese, ducks and swans that stick around at a local pond or creek. Usually when it is a mild winter, geese, ducks and even swans will stick around at a nearby park, creek or a small river. Geese and ducks typically fly south for the winter.  Younger and older kids love to feed the wildlife. But, when it does get really cold and snowy outside, remember to feed those same animals, because they will become dependent on you.

5. Visit the zoo. Unless your zoo closes for the winter months, visit the zoo. The animals love having visitors in the colder months. They will stare back at your kids, who will love having their undivided attention!

6. Fly a kite. When I dragged my husband to a state park to enjoy this mild winter, an older couple was flying a strikingly different kite on that breezy day. That sounds like a great, fun winter activity to enjoy!

7. Blow bubbles outside. Anyone can enjoy blowing bubbles outside, unless you have COPD, that is. Before, spring hits, nearly every store starts stocking up on spring and summer fun goodies, such as bubbles, and kites.

8. Ride your bike. When it is a warmer winter, ride your bike around the neighborhood, or on a bike path. Stick a basket on your bike, and run shorter errands, saving money on rising gas costs.

Have fun in the winter without snow, with these creative winter activities.

1. Let’s face it people, kids are more fun when they are younger. You can play games with them, as simple as hide seek, and your kids think that is the best game ever.

2. Younger kids are cheaper than older kids. You can play fun, inexpensive games with little kids, that you can’t play with older kids. Older kids want more expensive things, like iPods, cellphones, and you get to pay for their expensive college tuition. But younger kids are happy going to the zoo.

3, Younger kids are more accepting of new things. Older kids have their opinions and want to be heard. Whereas, when you take your little kids to the beach, they may run to the water with a bucket in hand making sand castles. An older child may find the nearest chair, sitting down sulking for three hours searching his iPod for Internet service.

4. Younger kids are more loving.Younger kids are more loving ,and accepting of people. When my kids were younger, I received daily hugs and kisses. Those days are long gone!!

5. Hormones are controlling your once loving child. When your child reaches his preteen years, suddenly hormones take over, having your child going from crying to laughing to hating everything in a matter of minutes.

6. Your teenager does not want to be seen with you. Suddenly, it’s as if a switch  flips, and your once happy child, hides when she is in public with you. Hiding behind you, ducking down, giving you verbal garbage when any kids her age are close by; like within a mile.

7. Your child acts like whatever you do is wrong. It doesn’t matter what you say or do, your teenager will hate you for it. You are suddenly being judged. Your teen, is trying to figure out if he will turn out to be just like you.

8. Your teenager listens to horrid sounding music, and watches super obnoxious TV shows. Remember watching Dora, or Sesame Street with your child? Remember how soothing it was to have the TV on when your child watched his favorite TV shows? Those days are long gone, parents!

9. All of the hot water is gone. Whenever you try to take a shower or wash your hands, the hot water will used up, replacing it with freezing cold water.

10. All of the food is gone. Any food item that is not locked away, or hidden will suddenly disappear.  Your teen will bring friends home to eat anything else that is not bolted down.

You may have thought that life became expensive when your kids were first-born with buying diapers, new clothing and baby food. That’s nothing compared to the rising costs you will incur when your child reaches teenager status. You may also find you  have to get another job to support your now oh so unhappy teenager.

At first I was intimidated about this, thinking, “What can I add to the topic of kids, parenting and family that already isn’t out there? I also thought I am not an esteemed expert in my field, so what can I possibly add to the fray?

After thinking about it, I released my negative inner thoughts, allowing myself to write about my kids, being a parent, and having a family. I figured with  having over 20 years of parenting experience, I have a lot more experience than a parent of a two-year old has. When you figure it out I essentially have as much job experience as other people who have been working in the same field for 20 years. HAH! Take that billion parenting bloggers!

When you really think about it, with having two kids who are currently 20, and 13, I have a combined total 33 years of parenting experience. Throw in volunteering for my kids’ groups, activities, and at their schools, that adds up to many more years of experience. Just imagine how much experience Michele Duggar(“19 kids and Counting”) has, and how much money she would have amassed so far if she were paid for her parenting skills.

But it is daunting to a writer to jump into the fray of writing about her kids, and being a  parent, when there have to be close to a billion parenting blogs out there. And they are all as different as the parents are. While looking around one day, I perused about ten parenting blogs on Google, and quit searching after getting to page ten on Google. There are numerous kinds of parenting blogs, and from every kind of perspective; written by stay at home dads, blogs by gay parents, blogs by teen moms, blogs by empty nesters. There are so many, they can’t possibly all be named. The most prevalent blogs, I found are written by young moms who have very young kids.

Before I started “In a Minute Mom”,  I looked up  Michelle Duggar  on the Internet. What I found was a promotional vehicle for her reality TV show, probably written by a paid publicity person. To me it was disheartening. I wanted to discover how a mother of 19 kids manages to pull it all together. I wanted to see if this woman gets time to sleep, yet any time alone with her husband, Jim Bob to make another baby.

So this time, I’m going to let it slide, seeing what path this one in a billion parenting blogs goes.

This will be the first year I’m not buying anyone any cards or gifts for Valentine’s Day. Every year when my kids were little, I would rush to the stores buying cards for all  my family members. Sometimes, I even remembered to buy a Valentine’s card for my mom and my in-laws.

This year, even though I was ready to bolt out of the door and run to the stores to buy Valentine’s goodies, I didn’t. And you know why I didn’t buy any Valentine’s cards, candy, or gifts for my kids this year? One reason, is because my kids are older now, and probably could care less. But the real reason was because my husband said, “Don’t waste your money on cards for a made up Hallmark holiday.”

Okay, but now I’m feeling guilt spreading throughout my entire body. I have this major urge to run to a drugstore, or any department store grabbing up anything that is red, and filled with hearts. I feel super guilty right now!!

I’ve got a better idea instead:

Instead of spending money  buying your sweetheart flowers, a card, or candy for Valentine’s Day, why not spend that money on buying an older person or an orphan a gift instead? As a group, you could raise some money to buy candy hearts, or small toys for kids in an orphanage. As a group, (work, organization, school), raise money to buy a flower or two for older people in retirement or nursing homes. Skip the candy because, many seniors can’t eat candy due to having diabetes or high cholesterol. You could even involve your sweetheart asking him or her to donate some money to your giving effort.

This way, you are still spending money thus stimulating the economy. And , you will feel good for doing something awesome for someone else. Then you won’ t be feeling guilty  like I am right now, for not buying anything for Valentine’s Day.

But, when I go shopping tomorrow for the items we do need, I will puruse the marked down Valentine’s day items, seeing just how many overpriced items I can buy for a lot less money, for my family members. Who knows, maybe I’ll feel really generous,and buy candy hearts for people who didn’t get anything for Valentine’s Day. Now that’s how you really celebrate Valentine’s Day!!

It’s sick, it’s unjust, and it is happening all over the United States. Almost every morning when I turn on the news, I see yet another case where a small child, or a baby has suddenly gone missing. And yes I’m saying it all started with the Casey Anthony case. When Casey Anthony was allowed to walk free because the case of her allegedly killing her daughter Caylee Anthony was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. In other words the prosecution could not place Casey Anthony at the scene murdering her child.

Yes, I know what I am saying sounds horrible, and I am placing blame on a young mother, but obviously something is wrong with the fact that Casey Anthony was allowed to walk out of jail and to live her life in freedom after her daughter died, and she lied about the child’s whereabouts. She lied about who took her child. She went out and partied like it was 1999, and had a great time doing exactly what she wanted without having to take care of her precious little daughter.

Now, almost on a daily basis, we are seeing that more children are suddenly missing from their homes. They are gone, without a trace. And I for one am blaming the widely publicized Casey Anthony case for this rash of missing children. If this case had not been pushed at people by the media on a daily basis, then we would not have known so much about this case. People learned how to murder a small child, and then how to cover up the crime. In a sense I am blaming this oversensationalized case, and the media for publicizing the Casey Anthony case everyday.

Since Casey Anthony walked out of jail and is living a life of freedom, many small children across the United States have become missing. This is happening to little kids, and it is sick. And yes, I am allowing my emotions to get the better of me. But someone has to speak up for the small children who are becoming faces of the missing seen on posters, and on the side of milk cartons.

It’s to the point where I do not want to watch the news anymore at all. I just want to put blinders on, so I can’t see what horrible things parents are doing to their small, helpless, unable to defend themselves children.

Since Casey Anthony walked out of jail, many small children have become missing, so that says someone, possibly the parents are getting away with murder.

Here’s the setup; One of the other moms who was volunteering for this Valentine’s party called me telling me what to bring to school. She didn’t ask, she told me what to bring, which sounded to me like I would be doing all the work. I was told to bring the music, a small snack, and a game.

So, I said, “Okay fine,”

I showed up late for the party, getting to school just in time to be considered not really late, but according to all these suburban moms, who seemingly had no lives whatsoever, super late. I was essentially on time, but all of the parking spaces were taken.After illegally parking on the grass of the school, I ran to the school. I ran to the classroom, seemingly the only mom being :”tardy.”

But in my defense I have to say, I was carrying a boombox, a CD of Valentine’s music, a small snack for 25 kids, and two sets of pink and red erasers as a gift.

When I got to the classroom carrying my armload of stuff, all the doors were closed. Opening the classroom door slowly, due to being now late, I  was greeted by about 28 pairs of eyes.

I walked over to where the other two moms were leaning against the heater in the back of the room listening to the teacher talk. I quietly put down my load of goodies. As I put down my stuff, the two moms stood there arms crossed, striking dagger eyes at me.

I smiled and said, a quiet, “Hello.” Then I waved to my daughter.

When the teacher said, “Now we are going to turn the party over to the moms.”

The two moms stood there, sending me pissed off looks. So, I said, “I have  gifts for the kids.”

Then I took out the pink and red erasers I had bought, giving them to the kids. I handed my daughter about 10 of the erasers and asked her to give them to the kids.

After giving out the erasers, I walked over to the boombox and asked the teacher where to set it up. She helped me with that and I put on a Cd of appropriate Valentine’s day songs for the kids.

While I was giving out the gifts I bought, and setting up the music I noticed the other two moms standing in back giving me dirty looks. Not once did they offer to help, or do anything that would resemble doing anything, but stood by the heater, doing nothing.

Then I  took out the snacks I  bought the kids; which was a mixture of candies, and  small cookies all with a Valentine’s theme. As I handed them out to the kids, I noticed the two unhappy moms still standing with arms crossed, staring at me. Then I walked over to the back of the classroom on the opposite side of the two pissed off looking moms.

These two moms, one of which I recognized as a Million Dollar Club Member from our local  newspaper of a local realtor, finally moved away from the heater opened up their  bags , handing the kids store-bought cookies,and cans of cake frosting.

The one  mom said to me, “Where are the decorations?” I said, “What decorations?” She madly looked at me like I was a piece of crap, and said, “You know the decorations for the cookies I told you to bring.” I shot back, “You never told me to bring decorations for cookies.

She stomped off, set down containers of frosting and cookies, and walked over to Million Dollar Mom. They whispered to each other, stared at me, and then the one came back over to me and said, “Did you bring the game?” I answered with, “What game?” She then said, “The game I told you to bring.”

I retorted with, “I don’t remember you telling me to bring a game.” Of course I know she did, but I felt I was doing all of the work, while the other two moms essentially set it up so they had to do nothing.

At this point, she gave me an up and down you are not good enough to be here look, and ran over to the teacher, telling her , “She didn’t bring a game for the kids to play, what will we do now?”

The teacher just said, “Oh that’s not a problem, I have tons of games.”

When I had one child, I thought that would be a great option, but when my second child came along, I soon realized that I would have a more difficult time trying to teach two kids at home, considering they are 7.5 years apart.

I also knew my limitations, thus realizing I could not teach my kids math or science above a certain level; such as geometry, trigonometry, or calculus. I also realized because I am the youngest in my family out of all of my numerous cousins,  I would have to discover alternate socializing options for my kids.

How do I know schools are dumbing down our kids?

I am seeing it happening firsthand. My kids are being taught a less than stellar education. They think I am being mean, or hyper critical when I edit their language arts skills, or lack thereof. My kids think I’m being unreasonable when I tell them to write coherent sentences, using complete sentences, and correct grammar. When my mother attended school many years ago, she told me she had a class size of about 40 students. The teachers were strict. Kids had to learn, or they were not allowed to pass onto the next grade. Today,  kids are passed up to the next grade, even though they can’t complete a simple sentence, and do not have any knowledge of American history.

In today’s public schools, kids are offered a myriad of learning options, that have nothing to do with gaining a basic education, such as learning how to dance, learning about other countries, and they are offered several languages they may never use such as Mandarin. Although, I am upset over public school budget cuts, removing all the “extras” from my daughter’s school system such as computer keyboarding, and other languages kids may need to know such as Spanish.

My mother was taught at a small public school many, many years ago. The kids at this small school were not offered numerous sports, and group activities. But she has perfect penmanship. She gained a wonderful knowledge of the English language. My Mother was taught our country’s history, so that she would have a working knowledge of how our government works, and what previous history America had.

In my Mother’s day in school, kids were also taught more useful business skills, of typing, writing business letters, how to act professionally at work, and how to dress at work.  When I was in high school professional skills were not taught, but typing was offered. Professionalism is not taught at public schools today. And just to let you know, I am not completely out of touch with the public school system, my 20-year-old graduated about three years ago, and I still have a child attending school.

Sad to say, public schools are dumbing down not only the system but our kids as well.

Many eons ago when I was a kid growing up parents did not volunteer to be timers, coaches, or group leaders. Okay, there were some parents who did this, but I have to say parents were not as involved with kids’ schools, and activities as they are today.Kids are used to seeing their parents as well as other parents volunteering at their schools on many occasions.

Maybe it is a truly great thing that parents are volunteering, helping their kids, because without so many volunteers, many groups, and activities would not be able to function properly, or we parents would be paying more money for our kids to belong to these groups.

So I came up with five cons and five pros for and against parents volunteering:

CONS

1. Parents with a lot of kids may never get a moment off.

2. Start feeling like you could do this as your job.

3. Sooner or later you will get the illness the kids have been carrying for weeks now.

4. You don’t get to watch much nighttime TV, (is that such as bad thing?).

5. You may be asked to give more than you have the time or money for.

PROS

1. You get to see your kids more often.

2. You will establish relationships with teachers and coaches.

3. You may even become a mentor  to the kids.

4. You will develop a better lifestyle, thus feeling better about yourself.

5. You can use your volunteerism on a resume, making you look good for that promotion.

In the end it’s up to you. While you may spend countless hours volunteering, in the end becoming a parent volunteer will help you build a stronger relationship with your kids, your spouse, and your community. Besides, single parents, this is a great way to meet other single parents.And of course this is a way for new parents to make new friends.

Here is the problem the way I see it; my husband wakes the kids up every morning. Our youngest is being irresponsible. That’s the first problem. I decided to not get up with my youngest child every morning because I am trying to teach her to do things for herself, thus becoming a responsible person.

The second thing I decided is I will no longer drive her to school if she misses the bus. The reason being is she needs to learn personal responsiblity. If I continue getting up every morning , moving her along and getting her out of bed, and gathering up all of her belongings and driving her to school she will remain the same, thus not learning anything.

Since I stopped doing everything for my youngest child every morning, my husband has now taken on this responsiblity.

And guess who he blames for this? Well of course, me! He says because I call him at work and complain about our daughter not making the bus, he is trying to calm things at home by getting our daughter to school.

I told him to cut it out, because I already told our daughter she has to be responsible for herself. She needs to get up when her alarm rings, getting ready for school on her own. We’ve been through this.

My way of thinking on this is that he just took away the steps I put in place,  bringing our daughter back to relying on one of us to get her ready for school.

When I was a kid, I set my alarm, and  got out of bed, and made the bus because I knew I had to. My dad left for work before my bus arrived. And my mom stayed in bed until much later, telling me she would not drive me to school.

I also realize that this is the age of parents doing more for their kids. But if we parents do not raise self-sufficient kids, helping them to reach emotional maturity, we will  have our kids relying on mom and dad for everything, even as grown adults. I fear we will be raising kids who will need to rely on someone and when we parents can’t do it for them anymore, the government will step in and do it for them. Thus here comes the Nanny State, or Socialized/Communist government taking care of our kids, who will not know how to do it for themselves.

So here we go back ten steps, to step one, teaching everyone in my house how to be more independent, and training my husband on allowing our kids to grow up.

Almost every year I tell my kids in person, to thank relatives that give them a Christmas gift, to say thank you. I even have to tell my husband this and my son’s girlfriend.

Now, I know I am not Miss Manners, and I am not perfect, but usually when my kids or I am given a gift, I do my best to say thank you. I have to say here, thank you to my mother for instilling good manners in her youngest child.

But, with regular life, my husband giving me helpful daily writing hints, suggestions, I can’t always remember to say thank you, write a letter saying thank you, or nudge my children to say thank you. By this point in time, you would think my kids could say “thank you”, on their own. And why in heaven’s name do I have to tell a grown man to hug his parents, or send his cousin a birthday card  for her sixtieth birthday?

Therefore, what I am saying to all of you, (possibly all 10 regular blog viewers here), that you should say thank you to all who give you gifts for Christmas, birthdays, or invite you to their home for whatever reason,except if they rant at you about something idiotic!

So, parents tell your children to say thank you, because if they don’t say thank you, they will not be known as pleasant well-mannered people. And even though it may be considered old-fashioned to write a thank you note, letter or email to a well-intentioned relative or friend, it is the most polite, reasonable request a person can make on another person.

Teach your children no matter what age to say thank you for gifts given, cards sent, or when a person opens a door for them, because it is essentially the right thing to do. Besides, you know what they say about that Karma thing.