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Reminder: Teacher Appreciation Week is May 3-7
Heads up, parents. Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, a fine time to thank the people who are our partners in raising great kids. Nothing is better than a heartfelt letter from you and your child thanking that teacher (or day care provider) who has helped your child learn and grow. If you want to throw in a little extra, at Christmas time, we gave you this list of 10 teacher gift ideas that won't break the bank. ... Read more
A mint julep recipe for the kids
The Kentucky Derby is always a fun event in our house. We get out the morning paper and look over the horses and pick our favorites based on the very scientific method of who has the coolest name. And they're off.
The 136th "Run for the Roses" -- the nation's oldest continuously run sporting event -- is this Saturday. Post time is 6:24 p.m.Maybe this year, I'll even wear a big hat.
As everyone knows, the Mint Julep is the signature drink of Derby Day. I came up with a kiddie version that a lot of adults like too, especially since the adult version has a heckuva kick. ... Read more
Are you a new mom over age 45 -- we want to hear from you
We've all heard it before -- being a parent is a job for young people. But with some women waiting a longer time to have babies and some needing medical assistance to get pregnant, older moms are a big part of the landscape. Our friend, health reporter Richard Martin, wants to talk with women who are 45 or older who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. If you're willing to share your story, please contact Richard at (727) 893-8330 or at rmartin@sptimes.com.
Follow us on Twitter @WhoaMomma
Free and cheap things to do with your kids this week
Anybody else getting burned out by the school grind and counting down the days to summer vacation? I'm not just talking about the kids. While we pine for a slower schedule, here's some free and cheap ways to pass the time with your kids. ... Read more
Sandra Bullock becomes new mom, getting divorced
It's been the best year for Sandra Bullock and it's been the worst year for her. All the highs surrounded her Oscar-winning performance in The Blind Side and all the lows followed when it was revealed that her husband, Jesse James, had had several affairs. ... Read more
Say cheese (but can I share it on YouTube?)
My daughter’s preschool recently had a spring bonnet parade. I left work early to stand in the 
parking lot with other anxious parents waiting to get a glimpse of their little ones. Most parents came equipped with still cameras, camcorders and cell phones – all pointed at the children. ... Read more
Talking "Furry Vengeance" with Brooke Shields
Its hard to believe that its been about a decade since Brooke Shields was on the big screen. Images of her in The Blue Lagoon and Pretty Baby are so stuck in our minds that it seems that she has always been making films. But this week she returns in the family comedy Furry Vengeance, a look at how wildlife strikes back when a new housing development threatens their homes. ... Read more
Early bedtimes, naps help nighttime sleep for babies
It seems counterintuitive but to get a kid to sleep better at night, you should have them on a regular nap schedule and an early bedtime. That's included in this excellent roundup of sleep recommendations in Slate that had me nodding my head.
Part of the problem, the article notes is we look at kid sleep issues through adult eyes. But babies who are overtired do not fall asleep, they get jumpy and wound up. ... Read more
Take your kids to the park -- and leave!
I know how this is going to go, but I definitely think it's worthy of discussion. The founder of the Free Range Kids blog wants to make May 22 a national “Take Our Children to the Park … And Leave Them There Day,” and the reaction is already swift and hysterical. ... Read more
My Mommy turned 40 and all I got was this lousy potholder
My mother used to have a red and white picnic-checked potholder hanging in the kitchen over the monolith of a microwave that read, “I’d rather be 40 than pregnant!”
I didn’t get it.
At 14 years old, both of those things seemed to be equally as horrifying in my adolescent mind.
Fast forward a couple of decades and four pregnancies later, and I think I’m being let in on the joke. ... Read more
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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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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.
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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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