By NANCY POSTER for Smart

The anticipation can be heard in Roger Baumgarten’s voice.
The 47-year-old Mechanicsburg father of two boys can’t wait to board Fahrenheit, the roller coaster set to debut at Hersheypark this season.
Baumgarten knows coasters. And he knows amusement parks. He’s been a season pass holder at Hersheypark for about 10 years.
So when it comes to giving advice to first-time or even occasional park visitors, Baumgarten is a pro.

Posted in Entertaining Forum Parenting Playtime Smart Ideas Travel

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By NANCY POSTER for Smart

Cold weather has kept you off your bike and off the trails. But now it’s time to get pedaling and start exploring the countryside.
Before you set out, however, take a few minutes to give your bike a quick once over.

Posted in Forum From this issue Parenting Playtime Smart Ideas Travel

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BIL BOWDEN for Smart

Diane Sargeant, director of Education Services for Wellspan, tries to keep the radio and cell phone off while carpooling her teenage son around town, taking advantage of the time together to reconnect.

By NANCY POSTER for Smart

Life can be a balancing act for working parents as they juggle on-the-job duties with caring for their home and family.
Add to the mix a hefty dose of guilt that afflicts many parents who wish they could carve out more one-on-one time with their kids.
What’s a mom and dad to do?

Posted in Babies Cooking Forum From this issue Parenting Playtime Smart Ideas Smart Woman

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The recent trend of "going green" is even extending to baby names. The popular parenting website BabyNames.com compiled this list of top "green" names for Earth Day, 2008:

Posted in Babies Entertaining Forum Parenting Smart Ideas Web exclusive

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Do you ever feel like Cain and Abel are lurking in your back yard?

Even if sibling rivalry isn’t out of hand in your household, there are things you can do to help your kids get along better – while developing skills you can use elsewhere in everyday life.

A six-part program, “Siblings…Without Rivalry,” starts 9:30 to 11 a.m. or 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 16, and continues on consecutive Wednesdays, at the Jewish Community Center, 2000 Hollywood Drive, York Township. Classes led by parenting educator Jessica Brein, M.Ed.

Posted in Babies Forum Parenting Playtime Web exclusive

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By J.M. HIRSCH
AP Food Editor

Use St. Patrick’s Day as an excuse to get the kids into the kitchen to help with this easy, hands-on recipe for sweet soda bread studded with golden raisins.

The recipe calls for baking the dough as two loaves, but it could be divided into four to accommodate multiple baker’s helpers. And be prepared for a (fun) mess; the dough is sticky.

Posted in Cooking Entertaining Forum Gifts Parenting Playtime Smart Ideas Web exclusive

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CHRISTOPHER GLASS for Smart

Laci Miller, 2, and mom, Danielle Miller, of Springettsbury Township plan for puddle jumping on a recent rainy day.

By NANCY POSTER for Smart

April showers might bring May flowers, but it also brings bored, restless kids and irritated parents.

So, short of turning on the TV, what can parents do to bust the boredom on a cold rainy day?

Posted in Entertaining Forum Parenting Playtime Smart Ideas Web exclusive

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By NICKI LEFEVER for Smart

After having 10 babies, Susan Wood learned what works and what doesn’t. She knows new moms should walk past the baby oil and buy a big tube of Balmex. They should register for the swing and skip the bouncy seat.

The York New Salem mom took a trip down the baby aisle at Target in West Manchester Township and shared what her shopping list would be if she were to go for No. 11.

Posted in Babies Forum Gifts Parenting Playtime Smart Ideas

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Test your knowledge

1. In York, a small park off College Avenue is named in memory of Helen Thackston. Why?
A. She gave the city the land.
B. Her home was on the site of the park.
C. She helped care for and educate inner-city children all her life.
D. She taught black children at a school once on the site.

Posted in Babies Forum Parenting Playtime Smart Ideas

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The Harrises and the Leydigs represent opposite ends of the parenting spectrum.
Amy and Colin Harris of Red Lion are in the baby stage — the restless nights, the busy days, the endless needs voiced as only an infant can, through wordless
communication.

Cynthia and Randy Leydig of York have become a couple again, after their youngest child moved out at age 18. They’re in the empty-nest stage — the restful nights, the busy work days, the endless quiet and clean that comes only when the children have flown the coop.
Countless couples occupy the in-between stage of parenting, not starting out, but not done either.

Posted in Babies Forum Parenting Playtime Smart Ideas

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The table is set with two small plates and two dinner plates. On the small plates: Daddy’s Famous Barbecue Chicken bits, mixed veggies, buttered bread. On the dinner plates: Salad, Daddy’s Overly Spicy Grilled Chicken.
“Mama? Mama? Mama? I need a drink, please.”

Posted in Babies Editor's Note Forum Parenting Web exclusive

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