JAK CHAT

Parenting Hacks and Bad Advice from  The World's Most Okayest Mom by Just Add Kids guest mom blogger, Kaia Beyer of Union Grove When my first baby was about three years old, I told him that sesame seeds were actually “muscles dots”.  I can clearly remember him unwrapping his cheeseburger from Burger King, and gasping, “What are those?? I can’t eat this!” That’s when, like a gift from above, it came to me: “Oh, Those! Those are special.  They are muscle dots.  If you eat them, you will grow gigantic muscles!  I’m surprised they even gave them to a kid! You are so lucky.  Now, eat it and see what happens!”  It was brilliant. One of my finer parenting moments, and it stuck- twelve years later, we still call them muscle dots. It got me thinking about all of the Mom Hacks (some of which may be teeny, tiny white lies) that I’ve discovered over the years that have made my life as a mom slightly easier.  Read more... Here are ten of my personal faves:  “You won’t believe this! Your Hallo

In Memoriam by Just Add Kids Founder,  Paula Herrmann Life. It seems like in recent weeks, we've lost some very notable people. David Bowie, Glen Frey, and my friend Paul. Wait! You didn't know Paul? Had it not been for his untimely death, you likely would have. But then again, you may have been touched by his creative work and did not even know it. An amazing artist, born and raised right here in Kenosha, who had a vision to bring his talents and creativity (back) to you...parents and kids in southeastern Wisconsin and beyond!   Read more... Some people just make an impression on you from the get go. A cute, young family in church that is so well put together.  A Dad, a mom, a little girl, and toddler boy. Pretty ideal by our American standards! Collectively and individually they're able to light up the room. You know those folks. Dateline: April 5, 2014, we're at Case High School, it's the 5th Annual Just Add Kids EXPO! Paul tracks me down at the event singing the

Awareness. Information. ACTION! by Just Add Kids Founder, Paula Herrmann Child Sex Trafficking. Just typing it almost makes me want to vomit. The industry of human sex trafficking, up until only over a year ago, was a reality I thought was only known in third world countries. The United States? Heck no. SE Wisconsin? Yah, right. (snicker). My eyes were opened upon a presentation and screening that I attended in which the subject dealt with the dangers of the internet as it relates to children (and the vulnerable). It's a freaking scary world out "there" for our kiddos. I know. Mine had been lured.   Read more... [caption id="attachment_4248" align="alignleft" width="470"] Source: Exploit No More Facebook page [/caption] My kids. Not your typical high risk target, you'd think. Internet predators scour through chat rooms (your kid's games/gaming devices have them) and social network sites looking for children.  They will build a relati

Developing A New Normal    Sponsored by Sozo Chiropractic   It is always interesting to me what people define as “normal”. It is definitely a relative word and each person has their own perspective of what normal means in their lives. One of my favorite things is to help people realize a new normal in their health. When doing an initial evaluation with a new patient, I will ask lots of questions of his or her current symptoms and health concerns. Many times people will refer to their pain or headaches as normal. From my perspective, headaches are not normal, back pain is not normal, leg pain is not normal, fatigue is not normal. The reason it is viewed as normal is because it has gone on for so long. There is a point when the pain or symptoms start to feel normal. People accept the pain and don’t know they can live a life free from that. Read more... Chiropractic care is such a great, safe and natural way to realize and embrace a new normal. You can live free from headaches and pain, a