JAK CHAT

Finding Easter Bunny             Compiled by Just Add Kids Calendar Mom, Shannon Barsch (updated 3.26.2015) You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I'm telling you why. Santa , that is, Easter Bunny's coming to town! Although with this weather, it seems more like Christmas! Read more... **DENOTES**activities & events that are designed for and/or welcoming to families of children/dependent young adults with special needs Southridge Mall - 5300 S. 76th Street, Greendale March 13 th – April 4 th Monday - Thursday 10am-8pm, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-8pm, Sundays 11am-6pm. Get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny starting on March 14!  Visit him in his oversized "Veggie Patch" located in Center Court! A variety of photo packages are available and each child visiting the Easter Bunny will receive a complimentary Activity Book.  The Easter Bunny will be available for photos and visits. http://www.simon.com/mall/southridge-mall   Mayfair

Of THE CLOUD (A Love Story, of Sorts) by Just Add Kids Founder, Paula Herrmann Okay, so you have to promise me, if you know me and my family, you say NOTHING! We are a modest type of family. Pretty square, I'd say. But, I just can't keep this one to myself, friends. As always, when I disclose the family secrets, there is a lesson to be learned. So here goes. Last week. I betcha it was exactly a week ago when I was working on deadline, on a Thursday on this newsletter. I work from home, right? Kids all off to school, and I'm hard at it . My husband, AKA Hottie Boy, descends from the upstairs sportin' his red thermals. Read more... I believe he was on his way down to the laundry room to get some work clothes out of the dryer when he decides to strut his stuff in front of me. Okay, ya know, Valentine's Day is in the air just a few days off.  It's totally appropriate. (And kinda funny). Only I had A LOT to do that day and my schedule was tight. Needless to say, HB k

Been There, Done That    by Just Add Kids Founder,   Paula Herrmann "Last of", once again.   Alas, it's the last of my four kids to make his way through elementary school. So here we are wrapping up our "Fifth Grade Take Your Parents to Lunch" yesterday. Next year, I suppose depending on where he goes to school, they probably won't have a "take your parent to lunch day" and if they did, would he even want me to come?   I'm still hanging on the fact that this one, at age 11, still looks forward to seeing his mom come to school. He's open to giving me a welcoming hug in public.   Things could be different, he is my only son, and boys are suppose to be different, right? Read more...   It is said (by whom?) moms and sons have a unique relationship and I believe that to be true. Not that my relationships with my older three girls; now 20, 18, and 12 are bad; they too are unique. I've been thru (still dealing with) the teen girl adolescent ph

Dating. Teen Dating.  Teen Dating Violence. by JAK's guest mom blogger from Racine, Olivia Osborne February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. It is now in its fifth year and awareness and prevention is growing strong. This month provides an excellent opportunity for our community to demonstrate its commitment to ending teen dating violence and support the numerous victims and survivors who are among us. One in ten high school students have been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.  Read more... These violent relationships have serious consequences for victims - putting them at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, suicide and adult re-victimization. Now is the time to educate ourselves about the seriousness of teen dating violence and the prevalence of this epidemic in our lives.   SafeStart, a program of Women’s Resource Center (WRC) geared specifically toward teens,  is organi