May 05, 2008

Insider's guide to theme parks

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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.

Finish reading 'Insider's guide to theme parks' »

May 03, 2008

Get your bicycle ready to roll

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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.

Finish reading 'Get your bicycle ready to roll' »

May 02, 2008

Don't wait for one-on-one time, plan for it

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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?

Finish reading 'Don't wait for one-on-one time, plan for it' »

April 22, 2008

Top 'green' baby names for Earth Day

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:

Finish reading 'Top 'green' baby names for Earth Day' »

March 13, 2008

Have peace in the playroom

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.

Finish reading 'Have peace in the playroom' »

March 03, 2008

Sweet soda bread

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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.

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February 21, 2008

Rainy day fun

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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?

Finish reading 'Rainy day fun' »

February 08, 2008

Add this to the shopping cart

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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.

Finish reading 'Add this to the shopping cart' »

Teaching Black History

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.

Finish reading 'Teaching Black History' »

When Baby Makes Three

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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.

Finish reading 'When Baby Makes Three' »

January 22, 2008

Editor's Note: A typical night

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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.”

Finish reading 'Editor's Note: A typical night' »

December 13, 2007

How to visit Santa

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KRISTIN MURPHY for Smart

John Shue, as Santa, waits for his cue to greet children at Fourth United Methodist Church in 2006. To get children comfortable with Santa, you may want to let them see other kids approach the big guy first.


By HILLARY RHODES
Associated Press Writer

Santa has seen it all: the wigglers, the squirmers, the criers and the over-askers. Every kind of kid has taken a turn on Kris Kringle’s lap at one time or another.

Here’s some advice to parents from one expert about how to best prepare a Santa visit with your young one. Tim Connaghan (also known as Santa Tim), who owns holiday event company The Kringle Group, LLC, offers the following tips:

Finish reading 'How to visit Santa' »

November 20, 2007

Favorite Christmas movies

Readers share their favorite holiday movies

Romantic holiday

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My “it’s-not-Christmas-until-I’ve-seen-this-movie” pick is "The Bishop's Wife." It stars Cary Grant (you can’t go wrong with a Cary Grant movie) and Loretta Young and David Niven. . . . The original is a really good mix of values, humor, love and Christmassy stuff. There’s a skating scene that will just take your breath away. The supporting characters are distinct and memorable in themselves, and that always helps make a movie great.

Finish reading 'Favorite Christmas movies' »

May 22, 2007

Recipe Exchange

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Find a local play group

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