A collection of our free-with-meal toys, headed for the recycling bin.

Toys.  I don’t even know where to begin.  Seven years ago (i.e. before our daughter was born) we had zero toys.  Zero.

Now we have more.  A lot more. If it was up to the toys, the toys would be winning in our house.  Thank goodness I have low tolerance for clutter and sentimentality.

Over the years my feelings about toys have changed.  I used to think toys were fine and fun, and felt generally positive towards toys.  Now I think that most toys that can be bought just take up space, create waste and I feel agitated about them.

I always have to be vigilant about toys… playing with them, thanking people for them, culling them, throwing them out, donating them, reselling them.  I always feel like I might get hit by a toy tsunami, or a toy tornado.

Toys, leave me alone!

In reading up on the ‘toy problem’, I learned that the United States has 3.1% of the world’s children and 40% of the world’s toys.  It does seem like, in the U.S. at least, we are letting the toys win.  To boot, the toys (and all the other clutter) are distracting us from things that really matter in life (i.e., not toys) and are stressing us out and perhaps making us sick.

Perhaps I should rephrase:  Toys, leave US alone!

I want to get angry at the people who make the toys, and sell the toys, and resell the used toys, and market the toys to my kids any way they can.  However, while I feel they should make more ethical decisions and they do share in the blame, they are just doing what business people have always done.  Try to make a buck.

Then I want to get angry at society.  After all, we as a collective group are buying the toys that the makers/marketers/sellers/resellers are peddling.  We are perpetuating that more toys is better, that ownership and possession are important.  Yes, society is to blame.

But the journey of a thousand steps begins with just one.  The only way society will change is by individuals deciding to change, one by one.  And the only way manufacturers will change is through the laws of supply and demand.  If we demand less, they will supply less.

So the change starts with me.

I vow to do a better job at giving non-toy gifts.

I have started ordering non-toy-containing food for our kids at restaurants or requesting that the toy be left out.

I re-gift many toys gifted to our kids that I know they won’t play with or value.

Toys:  Hear me now.  You will not win.

Children require structure and routine to feel safe, build character, and promote responsible behavior. Although the benefits of structure cannot be denied, is there such a thing as too much structure?  Should there be a limit on the number of extracurricular activities a child should participate in?

Children should be encouraged to try new activities and ideas.  Mastering a new activity creates self-confidence, and boost self-perception.  If this is true then structured activities should be a great idea.  When we over schedule children in structured activities we limit their autonomy in creating ideas, problem solving, and making decisions. We also reduce their ability to initiate tasks independently. These are critical skills that children will need as they become adults.   The right balance of free time and structured activities helps to promote executive functioning skills.  Executive functioning skills may include planning, organizing, and creating solutions to problems.

What can parents do?

Assess the balance.  Does your child have an adequate balance between structured activities and free time? Does this balance include academics, time spent with family and friends (outside of the structured activity), free and structured time?

Listen to your child.  Listen to the concerns your child may raise about things that are going well with the structured activity as well as any dislikes. It may be time to reassess the balance particularly if their interest has waned or other areas are falling behind.

Make room for down time or free time.  This is important in fostering creativity and may reduce the “I’m bored,” conversation over time. As the child has free time, he or she has to make decisions about how to spend that time. Hobbies and special interest may generate from this time.

Priscilla Wright is a licensed professional counselor practicing at Commonwealth Behavioral Health Inc. located in Midlothian, Virginia. Ms. Wright holds a master’s degree in Counselor Education and is currently completing a doctorate in Counseling Psychology. Ms. Wright is also a National Certified Counselor. AtCommonwealth Behavioral Health Inc., Ms. Wright works with children, adolescents, and adults on issues to include stress management, co-parenting, as well as anxiety and mood disorders. Ms. Wright believes in a holistic (looking at the person as a whole) approach to practice. Ms. Wright’s research interest includes topics on intellectual disabilities, stress management, and topics regarding family systems.

Staying dry at night can be challenging for many reasons, including children’s bodies developing faster than their bladder, making excessive urine at night, or even that they sleep so soundly that they do not awake to realize they need to urinate. Click here for other reasons for bedwetting.

Children who wake up with wet beds may also show signs of decreased self-esteem. Add extra loads of laundry into the mix, and bedwetting can be frustrating for both child and parent.

Strategies to assist* with bedwetting include:

• ensure your child (and other family members if they are aware of the situation) understand that bedwetting is not their fault
• restrict liquids before bed time
• encourage your child to go to the bathroom right before bedtime
• consider waking your child up 1-2 hours after falling asleep for a quick trip to the bathroom

If these strategies are not effective after 1-3 months, you may want to consider a bedwetting alarm or medication. Alarms sense the first sign of urine and help your child know that it is time to head to the bathroom. Medication may also be prescribed by your doctor, that when combined with other strategies, could help your child be successful in starting their day off with a dry bed.

A variety of barrier protection is available, including child sized briefs, and waterproof mattress liners. Buying these products in bulk online can mean significant savings. It can also offer a more discrete shopping experience for your child, rather than being embarrassed by the box of briefs in your shopping cart at your favorite big box store. Additionally, some supplies may be covered by your Flexible Spending Plan, with a doctor’s authorization.

A positive approach to handling this issue is most helpful. And the good news is that most children outgrow bedwetting. If your family has experienced this situation, feel free to share strategies that helped your child in the comments below.

*Every child and situation is different. Please consult with your child’s doctor for strategies and treatments most appropriate for your child.

For many students, the first day of school doesn’t only bring new teachers and new friends – it can also be a source of anxiety with homework assignments and tests just around the corner. Starting the school year off on the right foot can help minimize students’ stress levels throughout the year.

Get Cleaning. A dirty, cluttered room is not conducive to studying. Get organized before homework starts piling up.

• Remove seldom-worn clothing.
• Pack away belongings not used on a regular basis.
• For smaller children, label areas so they can easily see where belongings should go.

Carve Out A Homework Spot. Whether it is in your bedroom, the basement, or a family office, find an area where you can work distraction-free and claim it as your official workspace.

• Pick a place that is always available and where you feel comfortable doing schoolwork.
• Stock the area with all of the supplies and tools that are needed to complete homework.

Get Organized. Organization is key to ensure you stay on top of the requirements for each subject.
Use separate, labeled notebooks for each class.

• Create files for each subject. The folders can hold assignments, essays, handouts and notes taken during classes.
• Purchase a planner or calendar to keep track of important dates and deadlines.

Set Educational Goals. Whether it is striving for an A in a certain subject, handing in all homework on time or preparing for tests well in advance, setting goals can help establish a routine for the new year.

• Set goals that are measurable, specific, reasonable and have personal value.

Stay On Schedule. Minimize last minute cramming or deadline mix-ups by creating a detailed school schedule.

• Include all classes, assignments and key dates, such as project deadlines and test dates. Fill in new dates as they arise.
• Schedule specific times for studying, projects and extracurricular activities. The more thorough the schedule, the more helpful it will be to you.

Know The School. If you ever feel swamped with back to school madness, ask for help. Schools assist students with transitioning from one grade to another. Meet with your guidance counselor and/or teachers. If you are still nervous, ask your mom or dad to drop you off at school on the first day of class.

Be Adventurous. Step out of your comfort zone this school year by trying new things academically and in terms of extracurricular activities.

• Try every type of class and/or activity. You never know what your strengths are until you experience as much as you can.
• Challenge yourself. If you have the opportunity, take the hardest classes – not the easiest subjects.
• Ask questions. There is nothing wrong with not always knowing the answer. Asking questions is the best way to learn!

Think Positive. Yes, going back to school means homework and early mornings. It also means reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people, resuming fun extracurricular activities, learning more about your favorite subjects and improving on your last year’s performance.
For more educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, please visit www.SylvanLearning.com or call 804-782-2377

Steve Green is the Executive Director and Owner of the Richmond Sylvan Learning Centers, which is the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels with more than 30 years of experience and nearly 800 centers located throughout North America. Sylvan’s trained and Sylvan-certified instructors provide personalized instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills and test-prep for college entrance and state exams. Sylvan also hosts MomMinded.com, a blog offering tips and resources from moms and education experts. For more information, call 1-800-31-SUCCESS or visit www.SylvanLearning.com

This Article is Sponsored by Sylvan Learning Center of Richmond

It’s official: back to school time is here! Time to save your 5.3%.

School supply items with a retail price of $20 or less and clothing and footwear with a retail price of $100 or less can be purchased tax free August 1-3, 2014.  And while 5.3% may not be all that much, it’s always nice when the price you see on the tag is the actual price your paying at the register (

According to Virginia.gov:

Articles of clothing include any article of wearing apparel and typical footwear intended to be worn on or about the human body. Clothing does not include accessories, sporting equipment or footwear designed primarily for athletic activity or apparel designed primarily for protective use and not usually considered appropriate for everyday wear.

School supply items are limited to items that are commonly used by a student in a course of study and include “school art supplies,” “school instructional materials, and school music supplies.” School supply items do not include computers or any “school computer supplies”.

Stores may chose to absorb the tax on all other items, but you’ll have to check with the retailer first.

Think about all the times you’ve said, “Please stop splashing/dripping outside the tub,” as kids play with sopping wet toys on that irresistible, yet slim, tub ledge.

Joy Jones, a local mom of two came up with a solution: Shelfie. 

Shelfie attaches to the side of the tub to make that narrow tub ledge into a safe area for kids to play and contains the water from dripping over the edge.
We got a chance to chat with Joy about Shelfie, being a momtrepreneur and an inventor, and what the journey has been like for her creating the Shelfie.

What inspired you to create the Shelfie? Did you have a eureka moment?

Yes!  One night my youngest daughter, who was about 15 months old at the time, slipped on a wet floor after her bath and got a nasty bump on the head.  I thought to myself, ‘If only the tub ledge had a lip on it to contain the water…’ and that is when the idea for Shelfie was born!  I built the first one out of cardboard and duct tape, and eventually took it to a local product design firm to help me build a prototype.

What is one lesson you’ve learned about starting your own business?

That as much as it helps to have a business plan, you have to expect that there will be speed bumps and road blocks you don’t see coming ahead of time.  As much as you plan, you will still learn as you go.  There is always a pathway to possible; sometimes you just have to ask different questions in order to find it.  If you’re anticipating some speed bumps along the path, they won’t be as jarring when they inevitably occur.

Joy Jones: Business Owner, Inventor, and Mom

How have you been able to balance being an entrepreneur and a mother? 


I’m not sure how well I balance it…being an entrepreneur can drain you of energy in the same way that being a parent can.  But it’s that special brand of ‘tired’ that also feeds you; you draw your inspiration and energy from the source of your labor.  Just like raising children, your pour your heart and soul into your business and feel both challenged and rewarded with each little step.

Logistically, ‘balancing’ it can sometimes be a challenge.  I’m not at a point where I’m going to an office for set business hours. I accomplish what I can while the girls are in preschool in the morning, and then go back to work after they’re in bed.  At some point if the demands of the business increase I will need to build in some additional support.

Have your daughters been involved in the business?

Yes and no.  They were Shelfie’s first testers and have been playing with it since we developed the first prototype two years ago.  So they know that it is mommy’s project.  They were home when the big truck came to deliver them to our garage.  So they know that I’m trying to start a business.  I try not to talk to them about it too much.  Like any other adult concern, I don’t want it to preoccupy them.  And yet, they are excited about it, and I want to embrace that.  It’s a bit of an unusual adventure that we’ve undertaken.  I just hope that whatever the outcome, that the lessons for my girls are positive lessons about work and risk, and success and failure.



What’s the best piece or parenting advice you’ve ever received?

That your children won’t do as you say—they will do as you do.  I try to be cognizant of this as I make commitments with my time, deal with disciplinary issues, use my iPhone…….  I know that someday they will model my behavior, and if I’m a stressed out train-wreck who can’t say no to work obligations or is always looking at my phone, then they are likely to someday also spread themselves too thin.  I think it’s something that is universal to parents—not just entrepreneurs.  It’s a struggle to be present for our children the way we want to be, and still handle the obligations of daily life as an adult.  ‘Balance’ is a moving target;  I just try to be aware of being present with them.

Do you plan on expanding the Shelfie line?

Yes!  We are focused on proving sales with the initial run of the product.  If we can do this, we do have “future embodiments” (fancy inventor words for different versions) of Shelfie that we will hustle to patent and produce!

Where can we find the Shelfie?

Right now, Shelfie is available at The Toy Center on Patterson Avenue, and at Pigtails & Crewcuts at both their West End and Midlothian locations.  We’ll also be available soon via Bumblebean—an online boutique packed with inspiring products for moms and kids.  And you can purchase them from us directly online!

This article is sponsored by Shelfie.

ComedySportz is pleased to offer 2014 Youth Summer Camps program – an intensive version of popular classes. Years of teaching and performing make each camp an experience our students never forget. Improv training fosters creativity, teamwork, confidence and poise both on and off the stage.

Summer Camps are a great way to learn about improv and the stage in a fun and supportive environment.

All 2014 ComedySportz Summer Camps meet at the ComedySportz Improv Theatre

What is it?

Early intervention can help make things easier later.

At Gardner and Jones Orthodontics we would love to see kids by their 7th birthday. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children be receive an orthodontic screening by age 7.

“Why so young?”, you may ask. Well, the fact is that permanent teeth generally begin to come in at age 6 or 7, and it is at this point that orthodontic problems become apparent. Although we rarely take begin treatment at age 7, we still recommend a visit to the orthodontist at this time.

When needed, early intervention allows us to take  advantage of the fact that a child’s jaw is still growing. In some cases we take no action, and rather just wait and keep a close eye on the patient. In other instances, we use a “palatal expander”. This device is used to widen the upper jaw, so that the upper teeth line up properly with the lower teeth.

A big advantage of early treatment is that it makes the second round of treatment quicker and easier!

If your child is over the age of 7, and has never visited an orthodontist, we recommend that you schedule an appointment today! In addition, if your child has a crossbite, overbite, underbite, protruding teeth, or thumb sucking habits, it is also a good idea to pay a visit to the orthodontist!

At Gardner and Jones we take the time to understand each patient’s needs and create extremely patient specifictreatment plans. We look forward to helping you!