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Free and cheap things to do with your kids
We can see our very own dolphin movie star at a free screening on the beach, or take advantage of low light for star gazing or see what artists have done to turn PODS into a portal into their imagination. We have these and more are cheap family diversions this week. Read on for more:
A hometown hero is the star of the free movie Friday on Clearwater Beach. Dolphin Tale tells the story of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s own Winter, the dolphin with the prosthetic tail. Bring blankets, low lawn chairs or towels. Movie starts at dusk. Concessions for sale; no alcohol. 10 Pier 60 Drive, Clearwater Beach. ... Read more
Can Komen recover from grant furor?
News is breaking today that the woman who was thought to have been behind Susan G. Komen for the Cure's move to defund Planned Parenthood grants has resigned.
Karen Handel, the charity’s vice president for public policy, told Komen officials that she supported the move to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood. She said the discussion started before she arrived at the organization and was approved at the highest levels of the charity.
“I am deeply disappointed by the gross mischaracterizations of the strategy, its rationale, and my involvement in it,” Handel said in her letter. “I openly acknowledge my role in the matter and continue to believe our decision was the best one for Komen’s future and the women we serve.”
Think this will help? I doubt it since the fury over this decision doesn't seem to be subsiding. Having done many of these races including the first one in the Tampa Bay area in 1999, I find this so sad. Running those races was an awesome feeling, like girl power in action.
What would it take to get back to a united front against breast cancer? ... Read more
HPV vaccine now recommended for boys, too
In a new immunization schedule published last week in The Annals of Internal Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the first time recommended HPV vaccinations for boys age 11 to 12 and catch-up vaccinations for those age 13 to 21. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the country, but this vaccine has been mired in controversy since it was first recommended for girls in 2006.
There's already a growing number of parents who skip childhood vaccines altogether. The numbers are small, but health officials are nervously watching the trend for fear that opt-outs could lead to outbreaks. ... Read more
For bullies: Tattling hurts, telling helps
It was interesting to read this interview with author and activist Jodee Blanco who travels the country helping schools deal with bullies and the bullied. Having been a bullied child herself, she has a unique perspective on the issues. And she's especially wary of zero tolerance policies because the bullies know that the victim can't fight back because they'll both get in trouble.
... Read more
A new way for moms to meet other moms
But how do you go from hi-bye in the parking lot to asking someone out on a (play) date? ... Read more
New ice show opens at Busch Gardens
We certainly appreciate the critical plot point of the new ice show opening Thursday at Busch Gardens: A little boy is told to put down his smart phone and disover the world around him. As our colleague Susan Thurston reports here, it's an ambitious new ice show (elephants on ice?) and at a half hour, a good fast-paced show that will keep the attention of little ones.
Free and cheap things to do with the kids
This week brings the return of Monster Jam, a spy exhibit lurks, there's a $2 admission deal at a children's museum and all kinds of trucks will be available to climb on as we peruse all the free and cheap things you can do with kids.
Monster Jam roars back on Saturday. Giant custom-designed trucks crush lesser cars and even school buses in competition. Go early for tailgating and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and get a close-up view of the trucks and meet the drivers. Free Pit Passes will be available at participating Southern Ford Dealers through Saturday, while supplies last. $15-$35. Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Toll-free 1-800-745-3000. 7 p.m. Saturday. ... Read more
Cute snack, craft ideas for Groundhog Day
Will Phil see his shadow on Thursday? We'll find out on Groundhog Day (which is Thursday) and if you want to have some fun with the kids, check out this really cute snack idea from the Playtime With Mommy blog. Using pudding snack cups (or use your own small clear bowls) and add pudding, crushed oreos and graham crackers with an emerging Teddy Graham popping out of the "dirt." I just love clever moms like that!
For an easy craft, check out this cute pop-up groundhog from All Kids Network. It's basically a peek-a-boo toy that you can make seasonal. ... Read more
Gadgets and apps to monitor kids on the computer
If you ask me, the very best tool to monitor a kid surfing on the Internet is the kitchen counter. Let Junior surf, but it has to be on a laptop in the kitchen or some other very visible place where mom and dad are wandering by frequently. But let's face it, we aren't going to always be at their elbow and sometimes an innocent search query like "Dora the Explorer" will pull up videos with obscene images or racist spoofs you would never willingly expose your child to.
As a result, the market is full of apps and gadgets that play backup for distracted parents. ... Read more
Kids welcome to Hunter Hayes concert
A country cutie is coming to Tampa, and even the kids are invited, as our colleague Jay Cridlin reports on his music-lovers' Soundcheck blog.
Listen, we know all you country fans are foaming at the mouth about Little Big Town coming to the Dallas Bull on March 23. But we’re here to tell you, THIS is the show you should be excited about: Country-blues prodigy Hunter Hayes, whose single Storm Warning makes him seem like the next coming of John Mayer, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban rolled into one, is coming to the Dallas Bull on March 11.
The best part? It’s an all-ages afternoon show, and kids are welcome. Tickets are just $5 for kids 12 and under, $10 for 13 and up. ... Read more
About the bloggers
Raising children isn't easy. Whoa, Momma! is here to help you with parenting tips and discussion of all parenting issues. We think there's no such thing as TMI, so our blogging moms aren't shy about the hot topics and won't back away from a good debate. Bottle or breastfeed? Public, private or homeschool? And sex -- it's all open for comment. Don't sit on the sidelines -- pull up a bouncy seat and join the chat.
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THE AUTHORS
Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.
E-mail Sharon Kennedy Wynne:
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Freelance writer Courtney Cairns Pastor wasn’t so sure about having kids and how she would balance child-rearing with her journalism career. It turned out that her journalism training went to good use. As the mom to a funny, active toddler, she learned to handle him like she did her sources. Never ask yes or no questions (the answer will always be no), get him to be specific (are you crying because you’re wet or your tooth hurts?) and be prepared for anything because no two days are the same. When she’s not playing trucks, Courtney crams for her book club, trains for races and occasionally bursts into showtunes. E-mail her at 
Suzannah DiMarzio has it bad for the Mouse. Although she grew up outside of Boston, she took her degree in tourism management down to Orlando just to work at Disney and the travel industry. Of course, when she married her high school sweetheart, the reception was at Disney. She’s now a seasoned stay-at-home mom to two tweens and a toddler – and yes, that is as crazy as it sounds. Suzannah has her own blog, Comment Policy
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