Denise Oliveri's Blog
Posted by Denise Oliveri
Our New Year's Eve celebrations have been quite simple over the years. We basically plan a fun time staying home. We play family games, watch some of the New Year's Eve shows, and definitely eat plenty of snacks. Sometimes we will even make fun crafts to help make the time go by while waiting for the ball to drop.
New Year's Eve has gotten easier each year in terms of keeping the kids awake until midnight because they are getting older and able to handle it. It's actually me who is falling asleep too early now, and my boys are waking me up 15 minutes until the ball drops. That's okay, at least I still share in the clanging and banging of pots and pans. But, there are some great ideas here in Parenting Tweens for spending a fun evening with your family.
Of course, setting New Year's resolutions are always on people's minds as the new year rolls in. You can even help your tween and/or other children make their own doable resolutions with your help. A new year is a new beginning and a fresh start for everyone.
I hope whatever you do for New Year's Eve is fun and entertaining. I also hope that each reader has a fantastic new year!
Best wishes,
Denise Oliveri
Posted by Denise Oliveri
Well, we are heading on a trip for the holidays. We are dragging Christmas presents for three boys to Baltimore, MD (from Richmond, VA) to spend the holidays with my family. I am anticipating a wonderful time, and might even have a chance to see some snow. I know many of you in the northeast wish some of the snow would go away...but, a white Christmas is something you don't see very often in Virginia.
My blog is short and to the point this week! I wish all of Suite101 reader's a joyous holiday. May you have peace and happiness, and may all your dreams come true!
Blessings,
Denise Oliveri
Posted by Denise Oliveri
Have the flu, allergies, or cold symptoms run through your home yet this year? We've had our share, which has made me take extra precautions to prevent more illness from occurring in our household. Here are some ways we use to keep those germs away.
- Wash hands often with antibacterial soap. Sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice while you scrub to be sure you are removing germs from your skin.
- Have your child brush her teeth at least twice a day, and floss, too.
- Change sheets and pillow cases at least once a week.
- Make sure your child takes baths or showers regularly, and uses a gentle soap that doesn't dry skin.
- Encourage your child to keep his fingers out of his mouth and eyes.
- Give your child a good breakfast before school to keep his body and brain functioning appropriately.
I'm sure you have lots of other tips you use to keep your tween free of illness. Why not share some of those ideas with our readers. Start a discussion about this subject at the Parenting Tweens discussion boards. Just scroll down the page to where it says "Start a New Discussion." Thanks!
Posted by Denise Oliveri
I am running a contest this week only for you to win a set of four books from the Discovery Girls Magazine. The series of books is called Fab Girls, and you can learn information about the books at the Discovery Girls website. The books will be sent directly to you by the publisher, and should arrive in time for Christmas!
Here's how the contest works. I am posting five questions that you can find the answers to at the Discovery Girls website. The first two people to answer the questions correctly will each win a set of four books. The titles of the books are:
- Friendship Hardship
- Sticky Situations
- Getting Through Tough Times
- Getting Your Questioned Answered
Send your answers to the questions to me care of the Parenting Tweens site at Suite101, and I will let the first two correct entries know of their winning. If you have any questions regarding the contest rules, just drop me a line, and I will get back to you promptly.
Here are the questions:
- Who can your daughter send questions to on the website and possibly get her answer published?
- Name two companies that sponsor the Discovery Girls website?
- What is this week's great debate?
- How much does a 1-year subscription in Canada cost?
- How can your daughter win a Disney's Enchanted Video Game from Discovery Girls?
Good luck! The contest ends on December 9, 2007 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Parenting Tweens Feature Writer
Posted by Denise Oliveri
The Home and Garden section of Suite101 has put together a Holiday Event for readers at Suite101. The event is a list of articles that all writers at Suite101 have contributed to in order to make your holiday preparations easy and smooth.
I am particularly excited to share this event with the Parenting Tweens readers, as this is the first time I have had the opportunity to participate. Included in the event are ideas for gifts for kids, teachers, parents, and everyone else on your list, as well as decorating ideas, crafts, and travel. You don't want to miss checking this very special article out.
Here is a list of some articles that did not make it in time to be included in the article, that you might also be interested in seeing:
- Christmas Traditions of the World
- Christmas Tree Safety for Kids
- Christmas Ornament Crafts
- Christmas Crafts for Kids
- Christmas Cookies for Kids
I hope you enjoy the kick-off to the holiday season!
