Little ones don`t exactly live up to Emily Post?  Give in and get peace.  If you want to get through your dinner, something has to give, either your restaurant choice or your table rules.  If trying to live above the McDonald`s line, bring SOMETHING for the kids to do while you are there.  Create a `restaurant bag` of toys, books, pens, quiet activities (not loud mechanical ones!) and ONLY use the toys at restaurants.  Keep them in your bag, pull them out when everyone starts to lose it.  The minute you leave, collect the bags back and firmly say they are ONLY for in restaurants so the toys stay interesting!

Every thing you read says that establishing a love of reading fosters a love of learning...but what happens when the little one thinks playing is more fun than sitting and reading? 
* Read age appropriate books...even if the book seems simple, give it a try, they want to understand and don`t want to be intimidated.
* Read books about topic they love-- love trucks? even if you`re sick of the Digger book, it`s better than nothing...Princesses make you crazy?  It`s still reading!
* Wiggly one?  Check out our "busy baby books section" for some reading fun!

* Check out our Events Calendar, it`s chock full of FREE fun every day!

* Instead of expensive baby classes, check out your local library`s storytimes.

* Quit the gym, take a hike!  Check out the many local nature preserves, parks and walks around the county.

* Trade toys and clothes on our Classifieds Page.  Recycle, reuse, reduce all at the same time!

My kids are avid readers but their love of writing is something more questionable...so this summer I have encouraged them to become "reviewers" -- wending their way through the summer reviewing restaurants, books, movies, sporting events...anything that will tempt them to set pen to paper. I invite you to encourage your kids to become Essentialmom reviewers and email reviews to us. Read more...

BEST REVIEW BY SUMMER`S END WILL RECEIVE A $20 BORDERS GIFT CERTIFICATE!