ATTACK OF THE BEANIE BABIES By Cheryl Gochnauer When I went garage saling last week, I was amazed to see all the marked-downBeanie Babies. I'm old enough to remember when Beanies sparked mania acrossour cities, and it's a little sad to see them tossed haphazardly incardboard crates on strangers' driveways. Those who know me well are grinning as they read that last line. Theyremember how hard I fought my Beanie addiction - right up until Pugsley wonme over. But I'm getting ahead of the story. . . . Let's flash back a few years, and re-live "Attack of the Beanie Babies", aHomebodies column I wrote in 1997:I refuse to give in to every whim that presents itself. I didn't adopt aCabbage Patch doll; refused to blow a fuse over Buzz Lightyear; managed toignore Tickle Me Elmo. Amused, I watched as fellow moms collected all 101 Dalmatians and overdosedon Happy Meals in order to get every Teeny Beanie. Those littlepebble-stuffed animals seemed harmless enough. But then Beanie Babies took on a life of their own. My friends -- grownwomen, mind you -- were going bonkers for Beanies. One lady waited in linefor three hours to purchase four (the limit). Another ran up long distancebills, calling out-of-town Hallmarks for leads on the elusive critters. Teachers passed out Beanie Baby rosters and kids logged onto the Beanie BabyWebsite, with full-color photos and stats on each innocent-looking entry. Everywhere, from grocery store to hardware shop, I noticed mountains ofbeanbag dolls, all (in my novice eyes) as cute as could be. "What's thedeal?" I asked my daughter, Karen. "There's all kinds of Beanie Babiesaround." "Those aren't the REAL Beanies, Mom. See, the real ones have a little redheart with a poem." "These have poems. And names, too," I persisted. "They're all right, I guess," Karen sidetracked, but I knew she wasn'tconvinced. It really didn't matter to me, anyhow. I thought the whole thing wasstupid, and so I shrugged it off and got on with my life. Karen's birthday was in two weeks, and I was feeling the pressure of findingsomething a nine-year-old would like. Too old for toys; too young to besatisfied with new clothes. The only thing she had shown an interest in was those Beanie Babies herfriends all had. All right. I'll get her a bunch of Beanies. Little did I know. I should have been shopping for Beanies eight monthsago. We were in the midst of a Beanie drought. Babies on the Beanie blackmarket were bringing 10 times their face value. A Hallmark clerk laughed in my face, saying yes, they did get a shipment ofBeanies in last week. All 120 were gone in 10 minutes. What is there, some kind of Beanie Underground? Rumor said a shop downtown had a stash, but the owner only sold to "private"customers. Maybe by dropping a name, I'd have some luck. Forget it! My head was splitting with the injustice of it all. Then I started getting calls from the Beanie hotline. Addicts phoned inleads. It was as surreal as Elvis sightings. "There's a handful at the Odessa Outlet Mall!" "A lady in Warsaw has one for $20. I'd take it." "My cousin had some doubles. Let me check with her." I resisted as long as I could, but then...I'm sorry...I get a littleemotional here. I gave in. I became a Beanie Weenie. Memory clicked and I remembered a source who could get me a couple ofBeanies in time for Karen's birthday. Ironically, this same lady hadoffered each of my girls a free Beanie Baby a few months earlier. I hadlaughed at her then; now, I was scrambling for her phone number. The Beanies were no longer free, but she had connections on the Internet.She could pull a few strings...and shamelessly, I let her. Karen's' reaction to Pugsley and Blizzard was worth it all. And that Pugsley...he's SO cute! I've got to get a grip.(Comments? Email cheryl@homebodies.org , or visit her website at www.homebodies.org . Her book, So You Want to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom, isavailable at your favorite bookstore. Copyright 2001 Homebodies.Org, LLC. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com.) More >>

ON-LINE RESOURCES FOR STAY-AT-HOME PARENTS 1) At-Home Mothers www.athomemothers.com The National Association of At-Home Mothers offers complete support for theat-home motherhood lifestyle, including a quarterly magazine called At-HomeMother, as well as numerous other member benefits. NAAHM is "committed tofinding solutions to all of your at-home mothering concerns". Membership is$18 per year. You can get more information by writing the NationalAssociation of At-Home Mothers, 406 E. Buchanan Ave., Fairfield, IA 52556,or by e-mail: information@AtHomeMothers.com . Also take a look at theircomprehensive website, which offers free information, sample articles andInfo Guides, a bookstore of publications chosen specifically for at-homemothers, and much more. 2) Caring at Home www.momsnetwork.com/suites/parentchild/caringathome/ Caring at Home is a non-profit organization operated by work at home momswho would like to make a difference in the lives of the nation's childrenand the people that care for them. They want to create a link among allpeople who share the same concern and help them reach the ears ofgovernmental decision-makers. Their motto: Together we can make adifference! 3) Cheapskate Monthly www.cheapskatemonthly.com Author Mary Hunt's Cheapskate Monthly is a 12-page newsletter published 12times a year and delivered either to your mailbox or via the Internet.Cheapskate Monthly's purpose is (1) to empower and educate those that areliving financially responsible lives to become even more effective moneymanagers, and (2) to help those who are struggling to live within theirmeans find practical and realistic solutions to their financial problems, toget out of debt and begin living joyfully beneath their means. Bothversions of Cheapskate Monthly are filled with tips, humor and greatinformation to help you stretch those dollars till they scream! Tosubscribe to Cheapskate Monthly, send a check or money order for $18.00 toCheapskate Monthly, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723-8135. For moreinformation, call (562) 630-6474. 4) Cyber Working Moms www.cyberworking.com Cyber Working Moms site was built to encourage working women who chose to stay at home with their children, by providing helpful information, encouragement, tips on how to make things easier and secondly for support and advice from other "work at home moms." 5) Daddy's Home www.Daddyshome.com An on-line resource for primary caregiver fathers. 6) The Dollar Stretcher www.stretcher.com The Dollar Stretcher is dedicated to "living better...for less" and featuresways to help you stretch your day and your budget. The website includes alibrary with over 3,000 free articles covering everything from babies tovacations. There are also three free electronic newsletters, as well as amonthly print newsletter that is available by paid subscription. The site'seditor, Gary Foreman, is a former Certified Financial Planner and purchasingmanager. If you want to save money, this is the place to start. 7) Hearts at Home www.hearts-at-home.org Founded by Jill Savage in 1993, Hearts at Home offers a variety of resourcesand events to assist women in their job as wife and mother. Resourcesinclude the Hearts at Home magazine, the Hearts at Home devotional, and theHearts at Home website. Additionally, Hearts at Home conferences make agreat getaway for individuals, moms' groups, or that special friend, sister,or sister-in-law. Regional conferences attended by over 10,000 women eachyear provide a unique, affordable and highly encouraging weekend for thewoman who takes the profession of motherhood seriously. Contact: Hearts atHome, 900 W. College Avenue, Normal, Illinois 61761. Phone: (309) 888-MOMS. 8) Home-Based Working Moms www.hbwm.com This is a professional association and an online community of parents whowork at home and those who would like to. HBWM members receive a monthly(print) newsletter, free advertising options, Hire-A-Mom directory listing,national publicity opportunities, e-mail discussion list, private messageboards, support, networking, information, more! Home-Based Working Moms,PO Box 500164, Austin, TX 78750. Phone: (512) 266-0900 9) Homebodies www.homebodies.org Author and speaker Cheryl Gochnauer's aim is to empower and encourageat-home parents and working mothers who are considering the at-homelifestyle by providing practical financial, emotional and career-planningadvice. Her website features columnists, resources and message boards whereyou can interact in a safe environment with likeminded parents around theworld. Read how she cut $1000 from her family's monthly budget: www.homebodies.org/dollars.html . 10) Main Street Moms www.mainstreetmom.com Main Street Moms is the online magazine for modern mothers with traditionalvalues. You will find articles on parenting, marriage, family budgeting,craft ideas, spiritual growth, family life, and more. You will also findlively discussion boards, free newsletters, and monthly contests. Foundedin 1998, MainStreetMom.com has developed into a community of at-home momswho network their ideas, joys, and frustrations. Money is tight for all ofus, but through sharing ideas, we help each other get through the toughtimes so that we can fully put our children first. 11) Miserly Moms www.miserlymoms.com Miserly Moms is a multi-faceted organization founded by Jonni McCoy in 1992.Jonni's goal is to help people (especially moms) get the tools that theirfamilies need to save money and spend more time together. Jonni writes booksand articles, teaches workshops, runs discussion groups, and does radio andtelevision appearances, all for the purpose of educating people on how toshop more wisely to stretch their dollar. 12) Mommies on the Web www.mommiesontheweb.com A site offering not only parenting information and articles, but alsosupport and friendship to all moms. Join the online community to meet andinteract with other mothers. Enjoy planned chats, special events, recipeexchanges, and many mailing lists. Or shop in the MomVentures mallfeaturing services and products offered by work at home moms. 13) Mommy Savers www.mommysavers.com This website is for thrifty moms who want the best for their families butdon't want to spend an arm and a leg to get it. The decision to be astay-at-home mom is one of the most difficult many new or prospectiveparents face. The main reason many parents feel it is not possible isfinancial. How can a couple with two wage-earners get by on one salary whileadding another member to the family? It certainly is not easy. While everyfamily is different, they all have one thing in common: nobody takes hometheir entire salary. That is where the cost of work comes in. To read therest of the article, go to www.mommysavers.com/moneywise/cost_of_work.htm 14) MOMS Clubs International www.momsclub.org MOMS Clubs are exclusively for at-home mothers, no matter how old theirchildren are. Founded in California in 1983, they now have over 2200 chapters and over 110,000 members across the United States. MOMS Clubsmeet during the day, and children are welcome. 15) Moms Promoting Moms www.joemamaproductions.com Ann Diaz of Joe Mama Productions in Littleton, Colorado, has a great idea:She provides a business opportunity for parents who want to work from home -and the opportunity involves having that parent create opportunities forother parents who want to work from home. It's a real win-win. Says Ann, "Iam in the business of helping other work-at-home moms to be more successful,by presenting them to their local communities as a group, giving them aunique co-op type of marketing venue. I do this by publishing a bookletcalled Moms Inc.: Business Directory of Work-at-Home Moms T." For a modest upfront fee, Ann provides essential materials, businessguidebook and marketing support that a person needs in order to create adirectory in her own city. "One of the great features of this businessopportunity is that your out-of-pocket expenses are very low. "When I wasdoing my first directory, I started from scratch and with no workingcapital. I didn't go to the printer until I had generated enoughadvertising income to pay for it. That way, there was no risk. If Ifailed, I would have simply returned everyone's checks. Fortunately, ittook off!" Interested in creating a Moms Inc. directory for your city? For informationabout becoming a licensed publisher of Moms Inc.: Business Directory ofWork-at-Home Moms in your local area, or to find out if there's a Directorycoming soon to your area, contact Ann Diaz at (970) 593-0604; or e-mail: joemamapro@aol.com . You can also visit her web-site at www.joemamaproductions.com . 16) Mothers More www.mothersandmore.org Mothers More is an international not-for-profit organization supportingsequencing women - mothers who have altered their career paths in order tocare for their children at home. The organization addresses women'spersonal needs and interests during their active parenting years, promotesrecognition and respect for sequencing women, and respects the right ofevery mother to choose if and how she will combine parenting and paidemployment. Mothers More also acts as an advocate for public andemployment policies that accommodate sequencing. Visit their website orcall (800) 223-9399 to find a chapter close to you. 17) Mothers at Home www.mah.org Mothers At Home is the first and largest national non-profit organizationdedicated to the support and encouragement of at-home parenting. Founded in1984, Mothers At Home publishes an award-winning monthly journal, WelcomeHome, as well as books and information on at-home parenting issues. MothersAt Home serves as an advocate on behalf of at-home parents through mediainterviews, public policy analysis, and presentations to parenting groups.For more information visit our website, e-mail us at: mah@mah.org , call(800) 783-4666 for a free information packet, or write Mothers At Home,9493-C Silver King Ct., Fairfax, VA 22031. 18) Stay At-Home Dads www.Slowlane.com The Slowlane web site is a friendly online environment to help support,advocate and inform dads, with particular attention given to stay-at-homedads (SAHD). The site is a comprehensive collection of resources includingthose that handle the common issues like starting a playgroup with otherdads and running a home business as well as the tough issues (divorce,death, custody, etc.), so a dad who needs specific information will easily beable to find a resource to fit his personal search criteria. 19) Work-at-Home Moms www.wahm.com The Online Magazine for Work-at-Home Moms ( www.wahm.com ). This site ispacked with useful information about succeeding in the work-at-home mom(WAHM) arena. Excellent links and resources, plus a smattering of cartoonsand light commentary, make this an excellent resource for current WAHM's orWAHM wanna-be's. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com. More >>

One Habit At A Time Copyright 2003 Deborah Taylor-Hough Used with permission on DrLaura.com. All rights reserved. hometown.aol.com/dsimple/ I've been told it takes four to six weeks for any action tobecome a habit. So, keeping that in mind, one way I'mgoing to insure my success at keeping my New Year'sresolutions this year is by working on only one newhabit at a time each month. Then, every time I turn toa new calendar page, I'll work on developing a differentgood habit. At the end of the year, I could easily have twelve newpositive habits in my life. Once something's becomea habit, it's simply a part of my life and not somethingI'll even have to think about anymore. Here are some sample goals and habits I'm planning toimplement throughout the coming year (in no particularorder -- taken one at time, one per month): Use both an aerobic video and my exercise equipment 3-4 times per week Spend 20-30 minutes reading aloud to my children everyday Get up at 5am for personal prayer, and Bible study Work on my next book for half an hour everyday Spend ten minutes each day decluttering If I had started the New Year off by attempting to doall of these things at the same time, I know I would'vebecome overwhelmed, and then given up long before anyof these activities became habitual and second-nature. What's the area of life you're most concerned about?Exercise? Weight loss? Healthy eating? Gettingorganized? Saving money? Spending more time withyour kids? Break your goal down into simple steps thatyou can easily manage, and then start working your wayto your goal, one small step at a time. As the old cliche' says: How do you eat an elephant? ...One bite at a time. By making small and consistentchanges, it's possible to change your health, your body,and your life. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deborah Taylor-Hough (free-lance writer and mother ofthree) is the author of several books including 'FrozenAssets: How to cook for a day and eat for a month ,' andthe brand new 'Frugal Living For Dummies(r)' (Wiley,mid-January '03). Debi also edits the free Simple Timese-newsletter: subscribe-simple-times@ds.xc.org Visit Debi online at: hometown.aol.com/dsimple/ More >>

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Shopping For Groceries Jodie Lynn www.ParentToParent.com "Mom, can I push the cart?" "Can I do it this week mom -- you PROMISED!" "It's my turn -- nooooooooooooo...MOM!!!!!!!!!" With everyone's eyes glaring at you, you know THOSE eyes from the other 92 grocery store customers, (yeah, those eyes) -- you feel like disappearing. Does this scenario sound and feel familiar? Well, if it does, it's only just the beginning -- really, right as you step inside the door this fiasco begins. Right? This is especially nerve wrecking on work-at-home moms because you never get a break from the kids. Here are a few doable tips that might work for your crew: Tell them what behavior you expect and the consequences if they don't. Follow through on the consequences. If they begin to cry or throw a fit, leave the store and come home with nothing. Help them make a wish list and they can bring it into the store. Make your own list. Tell them you are going to buy only what is on your list because they are the things you need to make meals. Tell them you will buy one thing off of their wish list if their behavior is acceptable but do not use the word "promise." Don't give into whining. Let them help to add things to the cart. Make it a fun time by asking them to find an item -- this also helps them to learn to read. If they are old enough, let them bring a hand held calculator and add up the items -- this teaches math skills as well as responsibilities. Go early in the morning or late in the evening when crowds are smaller and you can spend a little more time asking and answering questions. If you are in a rush, leave them at home with dad, baby-sitter or friend. Remember, all moms are working moms and are the real CEOs in life. Check out my new Mommy,CEO totes, cups and T-shirts on the ParentToParent.com website and order yours today. They are beautiful, practical and washable. Come on moms -- tell and show the world who you are! Jodie Lynn is an internationally syndicated parenting/family columnist. Her latest paperback book is Mommy-CEO, revised edition, Martin-Ola Press . (It's not just for moms!) -- check out her new e-book, "Syndication Secrets" at ParentToParent.com for more details. We now have new Mommy, CEO merchandise and logo! copy:2004 Jodie Lynn. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com. More >>

Welcome to Stay-At-Home on DrLaura.com The most frequently asked question on my radio show is "How can I become a stay at home mom?" So, in response to everyone who wants to know the steps to take to stay home or for parents who need moral support, tips or advice, we are debuting a new section on my website, devoted to YOU and your needs. yuml; You'll find success stories from parents who are committed to staying at home and making it work-- they'll tell you in their own words how they did it. You can also get ideas and information on how to make money at home to supplement the family income, as well as seminars, associations and more! I promise you, you'll want to keep visiting my website for new tips and to read about people like Lisa Barnes, who started Baby Bee, Inc. Lisa found a way to stay at home and to help less fortunate children at the same time. There are only two types of mothers. The ones who happily stay at home and the ones who wish they could. Will Rogers once said, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." I hope my website will be the vehicle to help you take charge of your life. So if you stay at home or just dream about being home with your little bunchkins take a look at the entire Stay-At-Home section on my website. -- Dr. Laura More >>

PARTY AT A PROGRESSIVE DINNER By Cheryl Gochnauer The best banquet in town won't be found at the buffet down the street. Ifyou want a great blend of friends, food and fun that won't cost you abundle, try a progressive dinner. THE MORE, THE MERRIER. Round up a couple of dozen of your buddies anddivide them into four groups. From each group, choose one person tovolunteer their home as a stop on your tantalizing tour. Usually, it's best to choose houses close to each other, so drive time isminimized. Draft mini-van owners to ferry people from point to point, soyou don't freak your neighbors out with 20 cars in your driveway. VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE. Split the party menu into appetizers,salads, entrees and desserts, then assign each course to a different house.A group of 20, for instance, would break out like this: House No. 1: five appetizers. House No. 2: five salads. House No. 3: five entrees. House No. 4: five desserts. Avoid repetition by coordinating with others assigned the same course.Brownies are great, but you don't want to face five or six pans of them whenyou could have pie...and cake...and cookies...and ice cream sundaes...andcobblers...and whatever other goodies your imaginative friends cook up. Hosts furnish ice and soft drinks; everyone else provides their favoritetreat. Make enough of each dish so everyone can have a sample. PROGRESSIVE PRE-PLANNING: When they sign up for the dinner, have each familypitch in a dollar or two to cover the cost of paper goods and utensils,which will be transported to each location. Drop off dishes at the respective houses ahead of time, simmering in CrockPots or cooling in refrigerators. Choose heated foods that can bemicrowaved or otherwise warmed quickly. You don't want to be stuck cookingan entree at House No. 3 while everyone else is munching on appetizers atHouse No. 1. GRUB AND GAMES: Tie a group activity to each stop. While everyone snacks,draw them into a rousing round of Pictionary, Charades, Truth or Dare, orother favorite game. Peg the last house as the place where everyone goesbelly-up for a movie marathon or other low-key activity. T.J. Stephens, who's chomped through many a smorgasbord with his Lee'sSummit church group, offers this advice: "The key to these dinners is, youkeep standing up. That way, you can eat more." And when you're done pigging out, and you've got to sit somewhere? "Youdon't," T.J. says. "You just lay down." (Cheryl Gochnauer is queen of her castle in Kansas City, Missouri. You may write her at Cheryl@homebodies.org , or visit her website at www.homebodies.org . Her book, " So You Want to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom ," isavailable through Dr. Laura#146;s Reading Corner . Copyright2001 Homebodies.Org, LLC. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com.) More >>

You Can Be an At-Home Parent Too! At-Home Parent Profiles Name: Stephanie Schultz Home State: Wisconsin Number Ages of Children: 3#151;4 yrs., 2 yrs., 5 months Stephanie and her husband Steven live in a small town where family is a high priority. Steven is a full-time firefighter. At-Home Parenting Obstacle Encountered (e.g. income, self-esteem from job, husband not supportive, etc.) : When their second child was born Stephanie desperately wanted to stay home full time. She was working as an administrative assistant at a small insurance firm. Steven was resisting because they had just purchased a house and Stephanie#146;s income was essential in making the payment (or so he thought). How They Overcame this Obstacle : With her maternity leave nearly over Stephanie decided to find out for herself just how much her income was contributing to the total family income. She carefully recorded all of her work expenses including the obvious child care that would increase with the new baby, car expenses traveling to work, wardrobe; and less obvious expenses such as office gifts, lunches out, more convenience foods and eating out for the whole family, etc. When she subtracted this amount from her net pay, she was shocked to find out that the total amount of actual net income she would be providing was only $35/week! Stephanie was certain that she could save at least this amount by buying less pre-packaged foods, paying attention to sales and coupons, etc. For two weeks she tested her theory and ended up saving over $75 on groceries and household purchases alone. Stephanie turned in her resignation the next day, and since then has found numerous other ways to save on utilities, refinancing their mortgage, and so on. She has also started selling a very unique line of dried flower wreaths, gift boxes, etc. at a local consignment shop which has provided a small but steady additional income. The Schultzes estimate that they are financially ahead about $250/month over what they were when Stephanie was working, plus they have the added priceless value of having a parent home full-time with their children. For more information on Your REAL Take Home Pay, click here . Parents profiled in this feature are members of the National Association of At-Home Mothers. For more information or if you#146;d like to be profiled click here . Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com. More >>

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Getting Your Kids to Brush Their Teeth By Armin Brott www.mrdad.com Dear Mr. Dad: Our five-year old refuses to brush his teeth-almost every night my wife and I end up screaming at him (and each other) and he ends up in tears. We're thinking about bagging the whole idea. Does he really need to be brushing his teeth at this age? If so, what can we do to make the process a little less miserable for all of us (and our neighbors, who probably think we're torturing our son)? A: Okay, here's something you probably didn't know: dental caries (better known as tooth decay or cavities) is a disease, not just a hole in a tooth. Actually, it's the single most common chronic childhood disease-far more common than asthma and obesity, according to the California Dental Association. And to make matters worse, tooth decay is contagious, just like the measles, the flu, and small pox. The bacteria that cause decay can be passed from one person to another by kissing or sharing drinking cups or silverware. Pain and suffering due to untreated tooth decay can lead to problems in eating, speaking and paying attention in school. In other words, cavities hurt. And having them filled hurts too. (New laser treatments are promising to make cavities and fillings pain free. But don't tell mention that to your child.) One way to avoid cavities is to make sure your child brushes twice a day, every day with a soft brush. This comes directly from the top, the ADA. Unfortunately, until your child is about six years old, he won't have the coordination to brush his teeth on his own. He can get the process started, but you'll need to give his mouth a once-over to make sure the job gets done right. As your child gets older, show him how to brush with a fluoride toothpaste and floss on his own. There are all kinds of flavored flosses out there that you can buy to make to task less onerous. You also might want to pick up some disclosing tablets or drops at your local pharmacy. You may remember these tablets from grade school. When you chew them or swish the drops around any unbrushed spots on the teeth will show up red. Use the tablets or drops every day for the first week that your child is brushing solo. Then cut back to once or twice a week. If your child refuses to brush, you've got a few options. Sticks. Taking away some privileges or treats until the teeth start gleaming. Carrots. Incentives and rewards for doing the job right. This is generally more successful then punishment. Scare tactics. Caring for your teeth and gums does more than improve your smile and your breath. The bacteria that cause tooth decay can get into the bloodstream, where they increase the risk of ulcers, pneumonia, digestive problems, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. This is absolutely true. Gum and candy. Yep. But not just any kind. It has to be sugar free and sweetened with xylitol, a natural sweetener that keeps bacteria from sticking to teeth. Chewing gum with xylitol for five minutes after each meal has been shown to reduce cavities. Sealants. About 80 percent of cavities in kids are on the tops of their molars, and studies have shown that sealing these teeth with a special kind of resin is extremely successful in preventing cavities. Armin Brott bestselling books have helped millions of men around the world become the fathers they want to be-and their children need them to be. His most recent is Fathering Your School-Age Child. Armin has been a guest on hundreds of radio and television shows , writes a nationally syndicated column, "Ask Mr. Dad," and hosts a weekly radio show. He and his family live in Oakland, California. You can contact him at armin@mrdad.com . Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com. More >>