As we all wake from our tryptophan-induced comas (those of us who celebrated Thanksgiving, anyway), let’s reflect on what the big holidays mean to us. What will they mean to our children?

It’s easy to get swept up in the tide of commercialism, especially around Christmastime. As parents, we need to make sure that our kids are seeing the big picture - not just round after round of food and gifts.

HealthDay offers these tips to help us make holidays meaningful for the kids:

• Create traditions in the family that your children can look forward to. Talk about why it’s important to have traditions, and which ones are their favorites.
• Encourage children to volunteer, and to make donations and gifts for those who are less fortunate.
• As a family, make homemade gifts to give to friends and family members. Help your children understand that a gift doesn’t need to be something that’s bought from a store.
• Don’t let yourself get stressed during the holidays. Let your children see that it’s a time to enjoy spending together as a family. (I’ll let you know if I ever figure out how to remain stress-free during the biggest holidays of the year!)

What does your family do to celebrate the holidays in ways that outlast the turkey and the fat guy laden with presents?

Posted by Sunshine.

Time to buy the kiddos holiday gifts: Cyber Monday is upon us! Shop.org said that 72% of online retailers are planning a special promotion today. Participating retailers include Target, Apple Store, and eToys.

Or not: University of Minnesota researchers have found an inverse relationship between materialism and self-esteem. “When self-esteem drops as children enter adolescence, materialism peaks. Then by late adolescence, when self-esteem rebounds, their materialism drops.” Researchers suggest that encouraging a sense of self-worth among young people can reduce an emphasis on material goods.

Need to catch a villain? Find a baby: six-month-old babies were found to be able to determine who’s naughty and nice. Researchers demonstrated play where some shapes were assigned either helpful or harmful characteristics; babies later preferred to play with those shapes appearing to be friendly.

Yet another reason not to light up: A biological explanation has been found to demonstrate why a mother smoking before and after pregnancy might reduce her daughter’s fertility by as much as two-thirds.

Upper Southfork River Valley, Cody, Wyoming

Photo by our own Damon Cali

Posted by mctex

10. For this crazy thing called the Internet — allowing us to share this wonderful journey of motherhood with people we have come to love, yet have never met.

9. For our soldiers. Politics aside, their personal sacrifice for our freedom is beyond admirable.

8. For our good fortune. We don’t have to look very far to realize just how lucky we are.

7. For lucky number seven. What does this mean? I have no idea.

6. For the yummy, yummy food. Yes, it’s trite. But you know it’s true.

5. For our children. Really. Even though getting them dressed today will be nothing less than a two hour battle.

4. For spell check. (Or is it spellcheck? In honor of the holiday, we’ll give it the day off.)

3. For our MomSquawk blog team — in having so many interesting things to say and so many wonderful ways to say it.

2. For our readers and members — in showing up every day you inspire us to do the same.

1. For MommaSteph — in viewing things through your eyes we have learned so much, not just about you, but about the world, our families and ourselves. Your wisdom and humor will be sorely missed.

Just in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season, the group TRUCE (Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertainment) has released its Toy Action Guide. Here, an excerpt that underscores their general outlook on play:

Play is essential to children’s healthy development and learning. Children use play to actively construct knowledge, meet social/emotional needs, and acquire life skills. The content of their play comes from their own experiences. Because of the pervasive influence of the electronic media — TV, movies, videos, DVDs, computers video games — children spend more time sitting in front of a screen and less time playing creatively with each other. These changes in today’s childhood are undermining play.

Toys of value enhance children’s natural ability to engage in imaginative, meaningful play by allowing them to try out their own ideas and solve their own problems. However, many toys rob children of opportunities to use their own imaginations, creativity, and problem solving skills. These types of toys are often linked to popular media images and programs.

Their advice is pretty straightforward: Choose toys that give children opportunities for dramatic play (such as a doctor’s kit), manipulative play (blocks, puzzles), and creative play (instruments, art supplies), as well as board games and toys that encourage healthy physical play. The guide includes specific toy recommendations.

What to avoid, according to TRUCE? Toys that make violence central to play (action toys with weapons marketed to little kids), “sexy” toys (such as Bratz), and toys that lure little kids into the world of PG-13 movies or that tie toddler icons to older kid toys (such as Tickle Me Elmo Barbie, who wears an Elmo T-shirt and carries around a mini Elmo doll).

Also in the cross-hairs: “Educational” toys (such as LeapFrog’s My First Computer), traditionally creative toys that are geared away from open-ended play and toward violence (such as the Lego Exo-Force sets), and toys that make kids dependent on screens for play (such as Jammin’ Gym Class from V-Tech).

The idea of preserving open-ended play was brought home to me the other day when we had a playdate and the most coveted “toy” was a cardboard tube from an empty paper towel roll. And why not? It served as a trumpet, a telescope, a rolling-thing, and a rocket ship, in the span of minutes. Santa may just bring a sackful.

Posted by MommaSteph.

If you start singing this silly ditty to your little ones now, they’ll likely have it down in time to entertain their grandparents on Thanksgiving.

Plus it’s a nice way to mentally stave off the Christmas music that is already (annoyingly) popping up in stores, around here, at least.

The lyrics are sung to the melody of “My Darling Clementine.” (If you don’t know that tune, here’s a midi version.)

Albuquerque Turkey

Albuquerque is a turkey
and he’s feathered and he’s fine
And he wobbles and he gobbles
and he’s absolutely mine.
He’s the best pet that you can get yet
better than a dog or cat.
He’s my Albuquerque turkey
and I’m awfully glad of that.

Posted by MommaSteph.

Tricks aside, Halloween is a fun holiday with hidden dangers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued these tips to help keep your trick-or-treating safe:

• Buy (or make) flame resistant costumes. The label might say “Flame Resistant” - if not, at least look for flame resistant fabrics such as nylon and polyester. To lessen the chance of accidentally coming into contact with an open flame, stay away from costumes with baggy sleeves and other billowing parts (skirts, veils, etc.).
• Make sure you and your kids wear costumes that are visible to drivers at night.
• Trim costumes with reflective tape - bags too, if they’re not already brightly colored.
• Kids should carry flashlights.
• Make sure costumes are not too long and fit properly, to avoid entanglement/falls.
• Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.
• Hats and scarves should be securely fitted, to avoid slipping and obstructing your child’s view.
• Be sure that all masks have proper ventilation, are fitted well, and have adequate eye holes.
• Toy weapons and other accessories should be made of soft materials.

The CPSC also offers tips on treats and on how to safely decorate for the holiday. Have a safe, happy Halloween!

Posted by Sunshine.

Back in March I told you all about how much I love the shirts at Darling Mummy. I ended up ordering the “Don’t mess with mommy” shirt and I absolutely LOVE IT! I get so many compliments on it, and the customer service at Darling Mummy is outstanding!

New to the Darling Mummy site are hilarious notepads with their signature catchy phrases. I still really like the skull and crossbones, and the carpool fuel notepad would be perfect for my girlfriend Julie.

Perfect for grocery or “to do” lists, these are great holiday gift ideas for girlfriends, too! Have a friend who loves her wine? Nothing wrong with a little Mommy Juice.

Stock up now before they sell out. Get free 1st class shipping on all orders through October 15th using coupon code momsquawk during checkout.

Enter to win a free notepad by leaving a comment on this entry, or email me at momsquawk at hotmail dot com.

Posted by Virgierox.

I know that you probably read the title and thought: “Why is she talking about Halloween in September?” The truth is that every store here has costumes, candy, decorations and party supplies already. Halloween is a big celebration here and everyone wants to be ready for it. People are getting everything they need to get all dressed up and have a good time.

I spoke to a mother from school and she was mad about all the buzz people create around this holiday. According to her: “Halloween is just a mundane celebration that teaches kids how to be in contact with evil.” Her religion (I forgot to ask which one) does not approve that kids dress up in costumes or that they ask for candy.

I think Halloween is a celebration of childhood and make-believe. It is the perfect moment to be a kid and enjoy life. This is not just a celebration, but a special opportunity to make memories and push your kid to use his imagination. I’m Catholic and my kids go to a Catholic private school. They do not celebrate Halloween in school, yet my brother (who is a priest and a school principal) always invites us to his school “Dress up Party”. We always have a great time. I love to buy costumes for my kids, and I especially love their expressions when someone says: “Be careful with Batman.”

Many countries have traditions, songs and recipes for the holiday. Halloween is celebrated around the world! According to a Halloween information site:

So, although some cults may have adopted Halloween as their favorite “holiday,” the day itself did not grow out of evil practices. It grew out of the rituals of Celts celebrating a new year, and out of Medieval prayer rituals of Europeans. And today, even many churches have Halloween parties or pumpkin carving events for the kids. After all, the day itself is only as evil as one cares to make it.

I think that as always you chose what to believe: You can either teach your child to fear something that he does not understand and decide that Halloween is a sinful celebration, or you can get dressed up and have fun with them.

I chose number two. What is your decision?

Posted by momcrazyforkids.

I was watching Disney Channel with my son when I saw an ad about the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. In an effort to educate people about Hispanic contributions to American Culture, Disney has introduced stories and dialogs on the subject to their cartoons. Handy Mandy and Johnny and the Sprites teach kids about the different cultures and explain to their audiences the different languages and traditions of Hispanic people. From September 15 to October 15, Hispanics have the opportunity to celebrate their heritage and to provide awareness to the public about the innovations that we, as Americans, have been doing over the years. The National Register of Historic Places is pleased to help foster the general public’s awareness, understanding, and appreciation for Hispanic culture during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

According to a proclamation By the President of the United States of America:

“Hispanic Americans have helped establish America as a place of freedom and opportunity, and their contributions have illustrated what is best about our great Nation. Their hard work, love of country, and deep commitment to faith and family have shaped the character of our country and helped preserve the values we all cherish. By sharing their vibrant culture and heritage, Hispanic Americans have also enriched the American experience and helped define the unique fabric of our Nation.”

From Ugly Betty to the Latin Grammy Awards, Hispanics have lately been making a statement in popular culture in the United States. I think we are proud to be part of this nation, and we are lucky to have the opportunity to teach our children multiple languages, religious beliefs and extraordinary festivities. We may have been born in different countries yet we all have the same goal: to have a better world for our children. Let’s celebrate whatever makes us better parents and better human beings.

Posted by momcrazyforkids.