I can’t stand the “scientific study proves spanking results in x,y,z”. What it really means: from a group of 20 parents who say they don’t spank their kids, 3 of them also (self) report x,y,z; and from a group of 20 parents who say they do spank, 5 of them (self) report x,y,z. Those findings might be noteworthy, but…

Especially when used in the same framework of the article. If there are clear, well-defined and explained expectations, rules, and consequences...are we so sure that spanking is completely ineffective? Did we determine it was ineffective because we haphazardly gave a few swats when they were acting a fool? We were…

How was it determined that “one minute per year” should be the standard length? It makes sense that a 6 year old would need longer than a 3 year old to calm down, but it still seems a little arbitrary, and honestly way too short for ages 4+. A 6 minute time-out doesn’t seem to be an equitable consequence for serious…

I thought the stage of pregnancy is always a consideration; that it is (slightly) safer to drink in the third trimester than the first?

Pro tip: when asking for help, describe the course of action you took prior to getting stuck. (“I re-read the passage, re-worded the question, circled the facts, etc.) It demonstrates to the instructor that you made a good-faith attempt to solve the problem yourself, (you aren’t just asking for the answer), and helps…

I was thinking a tricked-out iPod Touch would be a good smart phone training device, since it does everything a smart phone does, except make phone calls, and only gets internets where there’s wifi. And it is iPhone size. So it looks, and feels like a smart phone, so the kid can get a cool cover/case, and carry it…

Love this! I’m brainstorming more now!

I like the twitter of some parent who was complaining about their community eclipse viewing event was happening on a weekday when the kids are in school... shouldn’t the eclipse be rescheduled for a Saturday, when it would be more convenient for families to attend. lol.

My genius creation this summer was a smurf-blue sherbet created from berry blue kool-aid, blue curacao, and milk. Some of my family members had their doubts at first, but it was delicious and refreshing.

Zinnia, zinnia, zinnia. They’re bright, colorful, and cheery. Excellent stem length, good vase life, stupid easy to grow from seed (70+ days, less from nursery starts) 20-30 stems per plant. Ditto for branching sunflowers. But my #1: poppies: shirley poppies, iceland poppies, and California poppies. They are adorable…

And to what extent did the wedding industry itself contribute or create the bridezilla mentality wherein women are expected or required to have their weddings be the flawless fairytale coronation, so that in turn these “bridezilla” demands would allow/justify wedding vendors to charge higher prices? Vendors are saying…

Canned diced tomatoes have a ton of calcium chloride added to preserve their shape. Calcium chloride is considered a safe additive, but Holly Homesteader with her home preserved heirloom tomatoes would never feed her family such chemical-laden fare. 15 minute marinara from canned tomatoes is 100x better than anything…

Use the old container to save for reuse. Some chefs insist on frying in a combo of new and old oil, because the old oil supposedly fries more efficiently. The rules are: cool completely first, strain out visible “gunk”, store in pantry. Don’t reuse more than 4-5 times, or if it ever smells rancid, and keep fish-frying…

Likewise, had you chosen the large apartment, you’d have missed out on all the opportunities of going out to dine with friends, which is no small opportunity cost. Unless you were always ordering take out to binge on alone in tiny apartment, which for some of us might still be worth the sacrifice of a larger apartment