I have enough experience to write a novel on this subject, but I will try to compress what I have learned in a short summary. I hope you find it helpful if you are in a similar situation. With five children, in-laws and ten grandchildren, my parents have had a very difficult time meeting expectations and being the “ideal” grandparents in the eyes of their children. The truth is, to some of us, they fail miserably. I think we kids would argue that our expectations were never unreasonable; we just couldn’t see that they were just matched with the wrong people. Everyone knows the family with the “amazing” grandparents. They take the kids on vacation and help keep the house when you leave town. Grandma makes meals when someone is sick and does the laundry, and Grandpa shows up to every single one of junior’s baseball games.

Looking a bit drab after our recent torrential rains and lack of sun lately, I reached for an almost-empty container of blush that has always been one of my favorite face “pick-me-ups.” I know they tell you not to keep makeup items too long due to spoilage, etc., but some of them are just like a favorite pair of jeans or a good marriage. When you find something that works, you tend to keep it around after its expiration date.

Rachel Madison Harris is our youngest philanthropist. We sat down and talked shop with little Rachel and her mom, Jen Sterling. Tell us about yourself.

RH: My name is Rachel Madison Harris and I am 7 years old and I just finished first grade. I live with my mommy in Virginia. I have a guinea pig named Lucky.

Tell us a little about Let’s Help Kids. When did you start it? How much have you raised so far?

I was reading an article by some financial guru that reminded folks that − even when on unemployment − one should still continue to contribute to their savings accounts. I don’t know where that guy lives, but trying to live on unemployment in this area certainly isn’t conducive to skipping gleefully to your bank with a deposit slip with “extra” money to put in your savings account. Now, making a trek to the bank with a stocking cap on your head and a toy gun? Woops, there I go daydreaming again….

“I’m getting tired of this!” Maurice does not agree with the consequence he just received. There was no denying Maurice was in the wrong. In fact, I repeated back the exact words he whispered when he was expected to be silent. And yet, he remains indignant, snapping back with what has become his de facto catchphrase. I ignore him and continue with my lesson, trying to maintain the trace of order I’ve established in my afternoon class.

When I refuse to engage, he repeats it again: “I’m getting tired of this!”

“I got, got, got, got no time.”  The lyrics to that song by a 70s band called The Guess Who have been stuck in my head all morning. Although I was laid off in a downsizing over a year ago…yikes, make that two…I am still amazed at what little time I have to do all the things I used to dream of doing as I clocked in and diligently worked in my cubicle for someone else’s bottom line. OK, I’m exaggerating. I do have the time. Why, I’m even an empty nester. It seems I just don’t have the time management skills I had when I was staring at deadlines, clocks and calendars full of doctor appointments, PTA meetings and watching life pass me by with everyone else’s agenda. Although I never have the need to say “T.G.I.F.” or “Man, I hate Mondays,” I’m often stumped even knowing what day of the week it is.

NOVA Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics  has been a close partner with I AM Modern Magazine for the past 4 years. Dr. Valerie Woo recently won I AM Modern Magazine’s Reader’s Choice issue for best Pediatric Dentist, and Dr. Courtney Ullrich, also of NOVA, won for best Orthodontist. Dr. Valerie Woo is also I AM Modern Magazine’s Pediatric Dentist Guru where she shares with readers her insights and expertise and answers all of your questions.

We are happy to announce that Dr. Val has added a new member to the NOVA Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics team. Dr. Gema Island  (pronounced Hemma), who has been practicing pediatric dentistry in South Florida for the past five years, has joined NOVA Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. Dr Gema also worked in private practice in California’s Bay Area. While in California, Dr. Island conducted research at both the University of Southern California and the University of California at San Francisco. She then went on to complete her pediatric dental residency at Tufts University in Boston, where she received the prestigious Bates Award.

We wish to welcome Dr. Island to the team at NOVA Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics  and congratulate Dr. Woo for her continued success and expanding practice! Dr. Gema will begin treating patients September 16th.

Ladies,

Someone sent this great email to me today and I feel compelled to tell you about it. It is great info about Hurricane Irene.

Here are some quick preparedness and safety tips: