A new study shows that green spaces create healthy kids in more ways than one.

Speaking of healthy kids -- check out this article about a school that hasn't served sugar in 10 years! Wow!

Heart disease, diabetes, and other metabolic side effects of obesity affect both adults and children. Some of this may be hereditary, but sometimes it can result merely from a poor diet and lack of exercise.

When preventable, it saddens me to think that children with obesity and other related problems live shorter and less healthy lives. What happened to the good old days where people were outside and active? What became of the time before TV, before video games, before computers, and before all sorts of gadgets were created to do our manual labor for us? Sedentary lifestyles are a continuing problem with more health consequences than one can imagine - for people of all ages.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently recommended that cholesterol testing include children as young as two and provide preventative treatment for patients from families with a history of related health problems. Some speculate that future generations could develop insulin resistance and fatty liver if given cholesterol-lowering and other prescriptions too early in life. However, others may argue that screening for problems early on could save lives.

How early is too early to start monitoring your children's health?

President Bill Clinton's Healthy Schools Program had a big victory last week.

The major beverage companies have agreed to only sell juice, water, and milk to kids in elementary and middle school, and only diet soda to high school kids. Child obesity is a serious public health problem and what our children eat and drink these days is taking years off their life. While we have some momentum let's push our kids schools to drop junk food too! Get involved and take action.

UPDATE 6/13: Doctors call for 'fat tax' on Coca-Cola and Pepsi

UPDATE 12/15/08: 10 years later, school still sugar free and proud

Just when you think there isn't enough time in a day to do things you love, someone might come along and prove you wrong!

Jennifer Levinson, stay-at- home mother of 5 boys and former fraud investigator, has transitioned into a self-made community and mommy e-mail advisor.

While pregnant with identical twins in 2005, she spent a great deal of time reading magazines, watching informative TV, and researching different topics of interest. She thought sharing her findings with a small group of friends would be enjoyable and helpful.

What started out as an e-mail list consisting of only a handful of close friends has grown into an e-mail list exceeding 2,000 families in the Los Angeles area and a website. Jennifer typically sends 5 to 10 messages daily. Some of the topics she covers include: baby products, kid stores, fun things to do, toy recalls, and information on twins- because she has a two sets of her own! Jen also sends out articles and advice about schools and nannies.

What makes Jennifer Levinson so special is her selfless approach. She told me, very bluntly, that she has no interest in making money from her e-mail list and website. Instead, she works hard on them because she is passionate about helping others. She researches just about anything people ask about, and has even set up informational events in her community. Because people enjoy receiving information without exerting much effort on their part, her e-mail list continues to grow exponentially.

Jen is a great example of how with just a few minutes a day, you can turn a simple idea into a great community resource. To get on her list, or to see a great example of how you too can make a difference in your spare time, visit www.jenlevinson.com.

It's a long article in New York Magazine, but a fascinating read and well worth it. The piece is an in-depth look at research done on what kids lie about, why they lie, and how best to stop them.

I found it interesting that children can often start lying as early as two. Some tell parents to just ignore the lies, that they will grow out of it; turns out the research shows just the opposite - they grow into it. It also showed that kids witness so many white lies and were asked to tell so many white lies that deception really became a daily activity. There were a lot of helpful ideas based on the research for how to address the issue.

The article was jam-packed with great information, but the one piece of research that stuck out the most for me was a test where the child had done something the experimenter asked them not to do--67% of the kids disobeyed and of those, 98% of them lied about doing it. But here's the interesting part, with the same situation presented the child was read either the Boy Who Cried Wolf or George Washington and the Cherry Tree (both stories that deal with the issue of lying and their ramifications) before they were asked if they had disobeyed. After hearing the moral of the story fewer children lied, but you might be surprised which story worked better. The George Washington one was far more effective--the moral of that is that it is important to teach your children about the benefits and importance of honesty, not just tell them that lying is wrong.

Hope you'll check out the piece, I can't do it justice. Just remember that our kids grow up to be tomorrow's politicians, CEO's and so on and the consequences of lying only increase with age, not just for the person who tells the lie, but for society as a whole. Being a good Citizenhunter means voting and making a difference in your community, but it also means strong families. I started the Work at Home Mom Section because, though I am not a mother myself, I have 5 younger siblings and I think there is no greater service to the world than rearing children who are CitizenHunters in training to leave this world better than they came into it.

I read this Forbes article on the Best Jobs for Single Moms and thought I would pass it along.

As promised, here is the blog on how to cut waste in your cafeteria at school. Since I know that kids, when they put their mind to it, can get more done than adults I figured I would give you more than just the cafeteria to work on - I know you can do it! Parents who are reading - work with your kids to help them "green" their school.

Bad news first - there are a lot of things that your school does to waste energy and there is not tons you can do about it, so don't get frustrated. For instance classrooms are heated, lit, and cooled by and large in pretty inefficient ways. This inefficiency leads to schools using about $6 billion a year in energy, and here is the worst part - 25% of that energy is wasted! $1.5 billion wasted every year - enough to hire about 30,000 new teachers. As the daughter and granddaughter of public school teachers I grew up watching my dad try to conserve in his own classroom, but changing the whole culture in schools is even tougher. So I encourage you to talk to your administrators the way you did about cafeteria food to see if they can put lights on timers and use more efficient light bulbs, and by all means remind folks to turn out the lights when they leave a room. But let's focus on what you can do to make a difference since you have control over your own behavior and can set a good example for others to follow.

Breast Cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women and is the second leading cause of death among women. Women of all ages can get breast cancer. I have had 3 girlfriends now who have had breast cancer under 30, so I beg of all reading this to please begin self-exams today. Since risks do increase with age most recommend you get yearly mammograms starting at age 40, but talk to your doctor about your particular risks. Not all breast cancer can be picked up on mammograms so if something seems unusual--please don't be afraid to push further in terms of evaluation.

If you are able it is better to continue going to the same place every year so that your mammogram can be compared from year to year.

Self-Exams are important and you should report any changes you have noticed to your doctor. Don't use any deodorant or powder the day of your exam, as it can interfere with the reading of the mammogram by appearing on the x-ray as white spots.

For those who have never done it before and are scared -- take it from a scaredy-cat like me -- it is not that bad.

I am outraged over this story and going to try to get you guys an action item, but for now I suppose just scrutinize your loan payments. The Washington Post reports that the Department of Education has "overcharged millions of Americans with student loans during the past decade despite repeated warnings that it was breaking the law." The overcharging was apparently caused by a computer glitch.

There was some good news this year on the student loan front: The House finally passed legislation to cut interest rates for student loans in half, from 6.8 to 3.4 percent.

I think that making education accessible and affordable to all is the greatest thing we can do to close the equality gap in this nation and get closer to achieving the ideal of a meritocracy. The cost to go to college is skyrocketing - I know, as I have siblings just starting now and I cannot believe how much it has gone up since I went away to school seven years ago... OK, twelve. In the last six years tuition rates have gone up 40%. The cost of college is making it hard for many to attend and upon graduating many careers are often crossed off the list simply because you can't make enough to pay down your debt. Four out of ten graduating students and more than half of African-American and Latino graduates have what is considered by experts to be unmanageable debt.

Think this doesn't impact you? Do you think many kids with huge loans decide to be social workers, teachers, go into the peace corps? How could they?

UPDATE 4/10: More scandal on the college loan front

Here's another guest blog from Leslie Lehr.

Last week Working Mother Magazine came out with kudos for companies on their annual 100 BEST list. Finally, there are corporate role models for businesses who can adapt to flexible work programs for mothers. Which is great, but.....

I couldn't help but feel insulted when magazine CEO, Carol Evans, spoke to me personally from the virtual reality of my computer screen to gently guide me towards a family friendly career path. And while her ideas of sequencing and sabbaticals are ideal, please tell me that giving birth does not decrease IQ points as much as our patriarchal culture seems to believe. I mean, what the heck is she telling ME this for? She's preaching to the lullaby-singing choir here. Why not tell the fathers? I wonder if any men read that link. Does Ms. Evans need to don a bikini to get a few testosterone fueled clicks of the mouse?

I don't want permission to feel okay about my struggle as working mom. I want problem-solving. I want this not to be cause for celebration. I want this to be an inaliable right for anyone who wants our species to reproduce. That includes men.

In fact, the birth rate is falling in "civilized" countries so much that the future workforce of many nations will surely be compromised. America needs children born and educated (another issue) to provide for the future of America. The federal Family Leave Act helps, but it doesn't provide for the paid job security or flexibility despite the bonus these larger corporations see in terms of loyal working talent. What will it take to get smaller companies and businesses to follow suit? Tax breaks?

We need ideas. So does the government. It's in all of our best interest. Talk about this. Not just to women.

I was stuck working when I wanted to watch a 20/20 special that Elizabeth Vargas, back from maternity leave, was hosting - Can We Have It All? Can we be great moms, work, fulfill our dreams, professionally, emotionally, and everything in between? - and this blog came in from our friend Leslie and I thought, perfect. I don't have kids yet, but even in dealing with my siblings and beaus - who can be a handful:) - I can see how it is hard to juggle it all.

I forget who told me this, but since they have, it has been my self-motto that I play in my head whever I try to do a bit too much: Flavia, you can have it all, just not all at the same time. Now, hear from a real life WAHM--work at home mom:

Rx for Moms

Yesterday, during a meeting about a TV movie, I was asked when I thought I'd have the next stage of the project complete. I opened my mouth to promise the moon -- then shut my mouth quickly. As much as I want to please people and show off my productivity, I ran the risk of disappointing everyone by missing my self imposed deadline. Even though I don't get paid until I perform (and even then it takes a while), creating my own deadlines was such a luxury that I had to take advantage. Especially since, during cold and flu season, all bets are off. I finally admitted that I had no idea.

Here's another guest blog from Leslie Lehr.

I used to hate the holidays, because of all the extra work. The downside of being a Work-at-Home Mom multiplied along with the chores that needed to be done. Then I realized that this is the one time of year where we have a huge advantage. Okay, huge is overstating it. But this is the ideal time to take advantage of both the flexible hours of being at home plus the excuse that we work so no one can expect too much of us.

Here are some tips that I've learned the hard way over the last eighteen years. Which is not to say that I am able to follow them. But one can try..

1. Simplify your shopping. Make a list of everyone you need to shop for. Decide on a theme: everyone gets clothes, or everyone gets books, or everyone gets housewares. Pick another theme for teachers, business associates, and hairdressers. For instance, Godiva chocolates, Barnes & Noble, or Starbucks gift cards - often available at the same location. Then do all your shopping, as soon as possible, when the stores are empty on a weekday. (Make up the work at night or on a weekend.) When you need an extra gift, pick up gift cards on your usual route. Ship out of state gifts ASAP - or order them all online from somewhere like Amazon who carries books, music, even toys - to get free shipping.

2. Simplify your cards. Buy them now. Address them tonight. Buy holiday stamps and personalized labels by mail. But wait to mail them until the last minute, cutting down on the flow of cards sent in response to yours.

3. Simplify your decorating. Schedule it! Do it all in one day! Make your kids help!

4. Simplify your baking. Schedule it! Do it all in one day! Make your kids help! I'm talking about cookies, here, a family activity that also makes great gifts for the mail carrier and many of those you see day to day.

Now if someone could just tell me how to make the holiday dinner easier, please let me know.

Here's another guest blog from Leslie Lehr.

My friend at the LA Times wrote a great editorial about how Americans work so much - often aided by so-called "labor saving" devices - that the federal holiday honoring our workforce isn't a true holiday for most. I read the article, eagerly anticipating a mention of moms - not working moms, but all moms, all of us working 24/7 without any nod from the federal government.

Most moms I know are crowding the checkout lines at Costco right now in order to celebrate the holiday with barbecues and other family events. Monday night there will be extra clean-up and laundry and and the mental preparation required for getting the kids off to a new school year (carpools, clothes, teachers) at the same time as preparing to shove five days worth of work into a four day week. As if.

Even TV commercials show how eager parents can be to get their kids back in school - the popular spot from Staples shows a man clicking his Easy button to fill his happy children with armloads of school supplies. Wish I had an easy button. It sure wouldn't involve school supplies.

My gardener stopped by to fix my white picket fence the other day (I swear) and was telling me how he told his wife she could get a job if she wanted, but with four kids, she's happy. He said she as reading a book about how women are so empowered now (my wording) and he beamed at me, a single mom trying to figure out how to afford hiring him to fix all the other stuff around the house, a said that "women are running the world now." I fought back words about the lack of daycare and health care and women running Fortune 5O0 companies and a recent TV idea of mine that got shot down by an older male producer who didn't who feel that the premise of a woman having a work/parenting conflict was current enough - and smiled. I pointed my gardener to the fence, tossed a load of laundry in the washer as I passed through the garage, negotiated with my daughter about dinner, and sat back down at my desk to work. My white picket fence looks great.

Happy Labor Day!

Just finished reading "The Red Book: A Deliciously Unorthodox Approach To Igniting Your Divine Spark" and it is nothing less than a spiritual fire starter - a combustible cocktail of Hindu Tantra and Zen Buddhism, Rumi and Carl Jung, goddesses and psychics, shaken with cosmic nudges, meaningful subway rides, haircuts, relationships, sex, dreams, and intuition.

It's a book that encourages women to live more consciously so they can start making clearer choices across the board, from careers to relationships, politics to pop culture and everything in between. For smart, gutsy, spiritually curious women whose colorful and complicated lives aren稚 reflected in most spirituality books.

Sera Beak is a world traveled Harvard trained scholar of comparative
religions and an intrepid spiritual cowgirl.

Check out all the Book Recommendations and let us know what you read and liked.

Another guest blog from Leslie Lehr.

After taking my daughter on a tour of colleges, it struck me how much the next four years could influence her life. Since the day our children are born, most of us wrestle with the cost of tuition and our hopes for the future – meaning where they will be accepted. But after stepping foot on half a dozen campuses, the difference in the kind of students who fit in was overshadowed by what kind of graduates come out.

The big question goes beyond city vs. country, two year transfer program or four year campus, even the fancy degree versus the favorite environment. The issue that struck me concerns to the chasm between a liberal arts education or a focused specialty school. Liberal arts students have had time to explore options, to get involved in the politics, but may have to cobble together a major and come out without solid career credentials. (Hence, graduate school). A focused trade school prepares their students to go right into their chosen career. Which is the better citizen: the productive member of society or the idealistic thinker? And who gets the final say?

Here is another guest blog by Leslie Lehr.

Last night, I took my sister to the Crosby Stills Nash & Young Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Yes, Neil Young was there too, in the name of Peace, for the Freedom of Speech Tour. For nearly three hours, we reveled in anti-war sentiment. It was hard not to get teary eyed at the lyric "we have all been here before." No only with Iraq, but with Israel.

We grew up in Ohio, where my boyfriend's big brother was at Kent State when President Nixon ordered the National Guard to fire on the students, inspiring the CSNY lyric "four dead in Ohio." We were younger than the boys being drafted, but we wore POW bracelets all through high school. Our parents, young professors at OSU, had their cars rocked by student protesters. That environment is, I realize now, part of what drove me to marry a Vietnam Vet who became a Conscientious Objector and finally, one of the first V. Vets Against the War. It was patriotic.

At intermission, I called my teenage daughter and asked, "Where are the peace songs now?" She listed a few here and there - Rufus Wainwright, Kanye West - but it didn't seem the same or nearly enough. Is the tolerance level higher because there is no draft for Iraq? Does it seem like we are only directly affected if our loved ones enlist?

With gas prices hitting their second highest price ever, many are opting to fly to their vacations this summer instead of driving, creating an increase in passengers, experts say. Just read an article with some great tips on how to cut down your travel time.

Metal detector: I definitely have not mastered this one yet. I have gotten to where I never set it off, but I am the one fumbling around for jewelry and phone etc. and where to put them. Some, and I mean Penn Jillette and other libertarians and Cato institute folks, want to get stopped. I can remember doing a show with Penn and him whipping out a pocket-size metal copy of the Bill of Rights. The metal sets detector off and you show the Bill of Rights to the powers that be and complain that you should not be searched. Abracadabra and you have made a political statement.

But if you are like most of us I will assume you don't particularly care for being wanded and standing in that weird roped in line. The article says to "sort things at home, throw all change, cell phones and jewelry into a small plastic bag. Then, at the airport, there'll be no last-minute dance to empty your pockets. (This would also be a good time to weigh bags on a bathroom scale, to make sure they don't go over the usual 50-pound limit.)"

Guest blog by Leslie Lehr

Planning a college tour for my daughter raises the same issues that have been tearing at my gut since she entered kindergarten. Do I encourage her towards the cultural education of a gritty urban universities or the privileged class of students at a pastoral private college? My younger daughter is just entering high school and I have to admit there's a part of me that wishes she were going to the ritzy school across the country line - and not just because it's actually closer to home.

As I watch friends choose private schools that offer smaller classrooms and personal attention and - be still my heart - field trips, I am jealous. I want that for my kids, too. The financial excuse is easy, but if I really wanted to pull it off with scholarships and whatnot, maybe I could.

That greater part of me, the one that believes that every kid has the right to an equally good education, gives me pause. How can that utopia ever happen if I don稚 participate in the experiment? And isn't spending six hours a day immersed with children who speak seventeen different languages the best education of all?

Then again, don't I want them to get into a good college? Make lifelong friends who happen to have tremendous business contacts? Am I sacrificing my kids for the good of the country? Does the country even notice? Will my kids?

What We Can Do to Help

The study out of the University of California shows that middle school and high school age kids with depressive symptoms engaged in riskier sexual behavior.

Like many studies it just lends more specifics and empirical evidence to something that is just plain common sense. When bummed out or depressed, many will seek comfort in sex as others do in drugs or alcohol. They may think that sex will provide the escape from the isolation that depression brings. Many who are depressed self-medicate and sex can be strong medicine.

Without these higher risks caused by depression the picture is already bleak on teens and irresponsible sex. Teens make up over half of new cases of STD's and have a higher risk of contracting HIV.

Not only should this be a reminder to talk to our kids about the dangers, risks, and responsibilities that come with being sexually active, it should also remind us to keep the lines of communication open not just with our only children, but those we might mentor or know. Parents and others should be on the lookout for signs of depression so that they can lend support and also seek professional help if needed. I won't weigh in on the whole Tom Cruise Lauer interview except to say that while I have often thought our children are far too medicated in this country (ADD? I thought all kids had that), it is true that depression can be debilitating both physical and emotionally and should not be taken lightly.

Since Citizen Hunter began, mornings have now become my favorite part of the day because I get to read all of your e-mails about the great things you guys are doing in your community to make a difference. Your words and deeds inspire me more than you know.

I am particularly impressed with young Citizen Hunters like Nathan Dorfman who take action even during their summer vacations. He responded to the Fast Food issue in the action center, learned as much as he could about the topic, and took action. Thanks Nathan, I have learned a lot from our conversation, and know other Citizen Hunters will as well.

Don't forget to take action like Nathan did to help get fast food out of our public schools. In case any of you thought 15 year olds were just playing Playstation for the summer, I thought I would share his email:

Guest blog by Leslie Lehr:

It has been a whirlwind of school's-out celebrations since Mother's Day and now that Independence Day is at hand, mothers are particularly aware that there is no such thing.

On the news front, once Elizabeth Vargas retired from her network anchor spot, feminists have blamed her for absconding the glory path to making things easier for future working moms, forgetting the that the mom part has equal weight. In a perfect world, she could get that job back later, right?

Two weeks ago, political pundits were all a-twitter with a new book called Get To Work, in which the author claims that feminism isn't about a woman痴 choice to work or be a stay-at-home mom at all, it痴 about the right working. You know, a 'real' job. The author almost had me until she said women should marry down, to make sure they can't afford to stay home. Keep her away from my daughters!

Then last week, the breast milk proponents went the La Leche League one better by claiming that women who don稚 breastfeed should be ticketed. It wasn't long ago we got ticketed for breastfeeding in public. And of course the abortion debate is back in the news. Get out of my panties, my bra and my house!

What's the good of independence if everyone is telling us what to do?

It is so important as parents or siblings that we help make sure kids understand that they have the power to make a difference in the world.

Getting trick or treat boxes to raise money for UNICEF (they're free) is a fun and easy way for kids to help kids! I am sure you have seen these orange boxes around before. Order yours today!

I am proud to say this great idea, which has saved countless lives, was started by a Philadelphia youth group and their pastor in 1950 as a Halloween project called Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. It is now a nationwide, year-round mobilization of young people engaged as active global citizen hunters, helping some of the world's most disadvantaged and vulnerable children. I like that the boxes explain the concrete ways the money your child raises will help.

30｢ provides lifesaving antibiotics for a child suffering from pneumonia.

$1 immunizes a child against the deadly disease measles.

$2.50 buys basic school supplies for one child.

$10 provides enough high-protein biscuits to feed three hungry children for one month.

$150 pays for a small well to provide clean water for an entire village.

For Older kids:

Voices of Youth is a website that offers children and teens (I would say most appropriate for teens) a place they can learn about, discuss and take action on issues that affect them. There are young people from over 180 countries who participate in the site's discussion boards and live chats.

Help make sure graduating seniors are registered to vote. Join other moms and go to your local highschool to let kids know how important it is to get engaged. This site gives a helpful toolkit, a letter to send to your local highschool, and all the tips a Citizen Hunter needs.

The May issue is Green and is printed entirely on recycled paper, thanks to a sponsorship from Aveda. The entire issue is devoted to the subject of the environment. You will get fast and simple ways to green-up your homes and read interviews with enviro-leaders such as Robert Kennedy, Jr. (Waterkeeper Alliance, NRDC attorney), Tensie Whelan (Rainforest Alliance), Majora Carter (Sustainable South Bronx), and lots more. It is always great to use our wallets to make a statement - "money talks" and, well, you get the point.

For May anyway, you can have your guilty pleasure, Guilt Free!

Ever since Ms. Magazine sponsored the first Take Your Daughter to Work Day, I looked forward to that inspiring my daughters to choose fascinating careers and excel in the workplace. When boys were invited, too, it seemed only fair. Why not make it a national holiday?

The problem was, at first I didn稚 work outside the home. Should I have let the girls stay home and help with the laundry? Talk about a lack of respect for full-time moms. Should I have let them sit in a corner and watch me type? Boring! Their father seemed to always be working out of town on that special day. The one time the girls made it on to a Hollywood soundstage, they were trapped there for twelve hours, coloring and eating licorice.

Many companies sponsor special days, with group activities and childcare that hardly show what a real office workday is like. Maybe the reality would be too boring. If your parent is a firefighter, the reality could be too dangerous. In theory, it痴 a great idea, but as is too often the case, only a few kids really benefit.

Old-fashioned career days are still a good bet. Or maybe, parents with exciting jobs could take more than one child. Oh wait � that痴 what field trips are all about. Unfortunately, in my children痴 LA public school, those are far and few between. If companies really want to inspire kids, maybe they could provide buses. Better yet, they could contribute to local schools. But I digress.

What do you think about Bring Your Child to Work Day? Have your children had good experiences?

Citizen Hunters, we need your good work: Stay Healthy!

Aristotle was on to something when he talked about the link between a healthy body and healthy mind. Never be too busy to play a sport or to exercise your body, and most importantly, visit your doctor regularly.

One of my DN blogger colleagues, Kimberly Garrison, has a great check list for Check Ups, when and what. Tips to stay fit and healthy as well.

Many people give the role of motherhood a lot of positive lip service. They speak about it being the most important job there is, or comment on how vital good mothers are for the world. But for those who make the choice to be full time moms, they can suddenly be faced with the notion of being "just a mom".

You have heard about her work on the Today Show, in Vanity Fair, Newsweek, Business Week, Elle, Parenting, you name it. I am proud to say Leslie Lehr has become a citizen hunter and will be a regular guest blogger for our Work at Home Mom Corner.

Leslie is a prize-winning novelist, screenwriter, and the author of several humorous parenting books. Her latest essay, lauded by Katie Couric, is in Mommy Wars, the new Random House anthology about Working Moms versus Stay-at-home Moms. "I Hate Everybody" is excerpted in WAHM. Read her entries, share your stories, and ask her questions.

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Do your children read the newspaper? Watch the news? Have any idea what is happening in the world beyond your driveway? As Flavia says, big media is a risky source, and I'm not one to argue. My sister is a network correspondent in Santa Barbara, and I can only guess how tough it must be for a producer to choose a balanced news report and keep her job when the corporations need ratings to sell the advertising space that supports them. As for the paper chase, I read several to keep up. Okay, that's a lie, I read one, skim several others. And to be truly honest, I check my horoscope first. But when I was a kid, we were quizzed on current events starting in fourth grade.

Got an e-mail question about kids and politics (look for a blog item in the future about that) and going to cultural events. Thought I would throw the latter one out to more experienced pros on the subject since I have had little to no success getting my siblings to come with me to museums.

I went to the art museum with my dad every Sunday (the Free day) growing up - the soft pretzel stand out front was a huge draw! I do think that exposing kids to various cultural events, getting them excited about public service and civics and nurturing a love of reading are all important in preparing our next generation of leaders to be good citizens.

You have heard about her work on the Today Show, in Vanity Fair, Newsweek, Business Week, Elle, Parenting, you name it. I am proud to say Leslie Lehr has become a citizen hunter and will be a regular guest blogger for our Work at Home Mom Corner.

Leslie is the author of several humorous parenting books. Mommy Wars, her new book about Working Moms versus Stay-at-home Moms, is excerpted in WAHM. Read her entries, share your stories, and ask her questions.

On Tuesday Jan. 31 in his column, Nicholas Kristoff pointed to a Gerber study that shows that french fries are the "vegetable" American infants and toddlers eat most! One-third of young children don't eat any vegetable daily and 20% of kids 19-24 mo. eat french fries every day. He also reminds us of the outrageous fact that babies born in the U.S. are less likely to survive their first year than babies born in Slovenia.

I am not blaming it all on McDonald's, I eat there from time to time along with IHOP, Burger King, Waffle House you name it. Moderation is the key.

No need to blame yourself - if this study by Gerber describes your child's diet, just resolve to do better! Our lives have become increasing complicated, we work longer for less money, and have less family support because our relatives are spread out all over the country.

I found the strangest place to buy books I love for parents, Joseph E. Bank, yeah the preppy suit store--please don't turn me in to all my cool fashion police friends who I keep swearing to that I am weaning myself off of Talbott's Ann Taylor etc. It hasn't exactly "taken" yet. Anyway these books are my new legit cover. My top 3 picks are:

Father to Son Life lessons on raising a Boy

Father to Daughter Life Lessons on raising a Girl

How to Raise a Gentleman

The first two are both pocket size and chock full of quotes and advice that should make you think, laugh, and weak in the knees. If they don't you are a cold person and this blog can't help you, nor do we want your kind :)

The third one is not exhaustive which is what makes it great. But has lots of great tips on how to raise a kid with good manners without seeming stuffy. It also is good because you get a sense that it focuses on the real critical stuff instead of nit picking.

I hate to sound old-fashioned, but you really do your kids a great service in making sure they are polite. It will cause them to sail easier through life and get lots of positive feedback from other parents, teachers, and coaches, only reinforcing their self-esteem.

To begin our conversation on moms and the valued role they play in building our citizens of future, I wanted to share with you a blog I found called A Mom's Life, by Meredith Sinclair. As I read through her entries I really thought she grasped the importance of how mom's play a significant part in a child's being while at the same time, struggle to maintain their own identity as an individual, a woman, sometimes the "girl" in us and yes, a contributing citizen.

The first entry I feel in love with was her take on the child/mom psychotherapy exercise entitled Play-doh Therapy. (Here's My reaction to that entry.) Please give it a read and check out her site for more interesting takes on one of our unsung heroes.

This is a great site to check out for advice, ideas, products or services. I like the 100 Best companies list as it picks the 100 companies that are the most family friendly. Helpful if you are thinking of going back to work full or part time, but also as a way to support companies who do the right thing.

This month the mag has two articles I enjoyed. The first was good kid gifts for under $20. Whether taking my siblings to b-day parties or going to a party for one of my friends kids I have come to think I have to break the bank if I want to get something special. The toys they showed were not junk, in fact I liked some of them more than priceier things I have gotten in the past.

The article on being a peaceful parent was also good. Again, as you have probably figured out by now, I am not a parent, and I still find all of this advice very helpful. In my crazy life I need all the help I can get on how to be more peaceful.

This article echoed my feelings that there are times it is impossible to chill or not lose it, but the columnist and pediatrician say not so, it's just that counting to ten is not enough. Moms share their advice--some of my take- aways:

We set the tone--convert chaos into calm and others may be able to do it. Plus it provides a sense of comfort when you appear to have things under control.