Coming Down to Earth
Category: Inspiration Corner
By: Stacy Heenan Biscardi
A creative piece about one of life’s best gifts, a baby and his entrance into this world. Thanks for sharing Stacy! Chic Mom loves brave women.
“I went skydiving,” I panted to my husband as he carefully navigated the icy roads toward the hospital.
“Keep reminding me,” I told him, doubled over in my seat from the waves of jarring contractions. “I jumped out of a plane at 13,500 feet, okay? I can do this!” “You can totally do this, just keep breathing,” he said, holding my hand, glancing nervously in my direction.
“I packed barf bags,” I half-smiled, opening the glove compartment to expose my stash of plastic bags. I unzipped the puffy black maternity parka that I was wearing, suddenly feeling warm even though I could see my breath in the chill of the car.
Chic Mom Music Review: Jordan Sparks, BATTLEFIELD
Category: art and culture, featured, review, yourchicself
By: Chris Newsom, Chic Mom Guru of Groove
Let me begin with the positives about Jordin Sparks. She has an overall remarkable voice, great range, and stunning, “star” quality looks to accompany her unrequited vocal talent. However, her sophomore album Battlefield does not contain the same remarkableness that its vocalist retains. On BATTLEFIELD, Sparks sounds exceptional, however, her exceptional vocal timbre and aerobics used liberally throughout the album don’t counteract the blandness that pervades the album. Here, you will not find another hit the caliber of “Tattoo” or the Grammy-nominated duet between her and Chris Brown on “No Air”. “Battlefield” is the highlight and it is a great single bridging pop and R&B. The problem with the album isn’t just one singular problem nor is it completely the artist. The problems that cause this album to be somewhat lackluster are the material and the fact that producers seem to confuse the listener by not clearly marketing her as a pop artist or an R&B artist. Sure, Sparks convincingly pulls off both, despite the bland material at times, but she’s not squarely centered within one genre and she doesn’t quite pull off the “crossover” effect that producers obviously are trying to achieve. I actually like Jordin as a vocalist, but I’m not crazy about BATTLEFIELD.
Clean Up Your Act to get Children to Clean
Category: featured, raising children, relationship advice, yourchicfamily
By: Jody Johnston-Pawel, LSW
Messy rooms. Almost every parent can relate to this problem (especially this time of year.) In their fun and glee, children scatter toys throughout the room — or house! They play with the toys they are supposed to be putting away. It seems to take hours for children to pick up, when it could take parents a few minutes. Why do most children seem to be born slobs? When will they want to clean and do it well and quick, so parents don’t have to nag, complain and hover?
You may not ever have children who want to clean, but you can have children who cooperate anyway. The first step is to avoid quick fixes, since many backfire or have negative long-term outcomes. For example, if parents “let it slide” until they can’t stand the mess, children feel overwhelmed. If parents nag, they get into power struggles. If parents insist on perfection or having it done “their way,” they have power struggles and discouraged children. If parents clean, children get a maid/butler and never learn to clean by/for themselves. If parents restrict children until they finish, children are resentful and may refuse to clean to rebel or for revenge. If parents throw away toys, children learn it’s okay to disrespect and destroy property because it’s disposable — and may get revenge later.
Losing an Argument to a Two Year Old
Category: featured, raising children, relationship advice, yourchicfamily
By: Susan Handle Terbay, Resident ‘Chic Grandma’
Yesterday while I was home with my two youngest grandchildren, ages five and two, my one girlfriend called about events we are doing this evening. I told her I would get back to her because “I am in an argument with my two-year old grandson and I think I’m losing it.”
First of all James has not reached the age of reason but then, neither has his father at the age of 30 nor has his grandfather and he’s in his 60’s. So I decided perhaps this was an inherited symptom of the men in this family.
