It's all about the company you keep, really. And this company is pretty incredible!

Many of you have heard me talk about the BlogHer conference, and how incredibly HUGE it was, and how incredibly WONDERFUL it was. Each person I met who was affiliated with this community was warm, personable, friendly and pretty great. (BOTH years I was lucky enough to go!)

But in these last few years have I taken the time to really talk about BlogHer, and the community it represents? No, I think not.

Fortunately, they have a great website that really speaks for itself. It’s over here. Please, take the time to visit and check it out!

Personally, I always enjoy the pieces highlighted in the What's Hot section, and I never miss all the chances to win giveaways, gift cards and other items on their exclusive offer section. (YOu can't win if you don't play. Right? right.)

Enough of my rambling - go on over, read it for yourself and them join us. Trust me, you won't be sorry. Oh, and just for checking out their new and improved site? A chance to win a FREE pass to the San Diego conference! Now go on, get over there.

Coffee, and a Little advice from Bitchy.

This is sponsored content from
BlogHer and LG Text Ed

I’m here today with Bitchy, our 21 year-old college junior, who is probably the technologically savvy member of our household.

“And prettiest.”

Yes, well, as you can see is not shy about sharing her thoughts and opinions, and we will be talking about texting, sexting and other issues that might come up.

“Ewww, mother. Try NOT to say that word in my presence The sex word.”

“So, Bitchy, is the cell phone used for evil purposes in college, or by people you know? Do people send horrible pictures or terrorize each other?”

“No! At least not anyone I know. I use my phone to stay in touch with my friends, and all that, but I also use it to go online and check homework, and stuff like that. I don’t give out my number to everyone, so anyone who HAS my number wouldn’t be rude, or anything like that. And I need some money.”

“We’re trying to find out what the hazards are when you have a phone, and how you can protect yourself against dangerous or bad situations.”

“A cell phone, really, is more about keeping you safe. My friends always know where I am, and thanks to my annoying MOTHER, so does my family. So, I really think that it’s so much more about you knowing where I am, than worrying about someone sending me a nasty text. I think maybe online stuff like Skype is probably a more likely way for someone to get themselves in trouble. You have to be careful WHO you Skype with. It has to be someone you trust.”

“But how can parents help their younger kids, kids not as brilliant and as perfect as you – be safe?”

“That’s easy. Never, never give your number to anyone who is questionable, never - never send any stupid pictures of yourself to ANYONE, even if they say they will not show ANYONE. People lie. And just be smart. If something doesn’t feel right, then it ISN’T right. And I still need money.”

And so you have it -be smart, and FOLLOW your gut.

Have you had a conversation with your kids (or nephews/nieces, grandchildren) about texting, sexting and safety? BlogHer is matching LG’s donation of .50 to dosomething.org for every comment on this post, so please tell me about your conversation with your kids in the comments. Or if you haven’t had the conversation yet, what’s holding you back? Maybe another reader will have the perfect suggestion for how you can get your conversation going. It’s important for all our families, and dosomething.org will get a $1.00 for every comment, question or suggestion.

And my personal advice from the mother of three texting children to other mothers and fathers? Talk ALL the time. Talk, talk, talk, until you can’t talk no more. Something is BOUND to sink in.

We are ALWAYS ready for some football...

This is a sponsored post by BlogHer and P&G.

I was watching the kids attempt to play a game of football one afternoon at recess. Anyone who has been around five year olds KNOWS that an organized game of ANY kind is typically out of the question.

At some point during the hysterical “chase whoever picks up the ball” game, one young boy ran up to me and stood panting. Finally, after catching his breath, he asked, “Mrs. Smythe, WHY do they call it football when we use our HANDS?”

I shared this story that Sunday, during our Sunday football marathon, and got to wear the “Official Football Necklace” for the duration of the day. This, my friends, was quite an honor.

The Necklace was purchased at a Flea Market in New England- a gargantuan, sparkly, gaudy, coveted necklace worn only by the winner of the “best true story” contest.

The contest, in which each family member brings the funniest story to football Sunday, determines who wears the good luck necklace. It has, for years and years, brought incredible luck to the bearer of the necklace and the team that this person supports.

For me? There is NO question- the Philadelphia Eagles. I have been a loyal fan since I was old enough to understand what football WAS. I would spend time at my father’s feet and listen as he spoke of his favorite team.

As the years went by, I can to watch and admire the coaching of Dick Vermeil, and thus an Eagle Fan For Life was borne.

Here’s a great opportunity to get some great prizes from one of the NFL’s sponsors, Procter & Gamble. Check out their “Take it to the House” program and photo contest, where prizes include a $10,000 community donation to support NFL PLAY 60 and an at-home visit from a local NFL legend! One lucky Grand Prize Winner will even win a trip to the 2011 Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Show us how you and your football family bring NFL game day to life at home at www.facebook.com/TakeItToTheHouse (click on the contest tab)!

Promote Your Page Too

Also, please be sure to check out the rest of the football fanatics over here!


And now, as I wear the necklace and watch them play their hearts out on Sundays I not only cheer for those playing on the field, but those who have played before.

And if I ever get the chance to speak to ANY of those strong and talented men, I would ask them the same question that Jack asked me.

“Why DO we call it football?”

Welcome to the dark side, my friends; where Texting is King.

This is sponsored content from
BlogHer and LG Text Ed

I’ve spent the last three years of my parenting job communicating primarily through text messages.

Now, don’t you go and judge me people, until you’ve walked with my cell phone in your pocket.

While I scoffed, scorned and rolled my eyes at the parents who handed cell phones to their children in preschool, I have since fried up those thoughts and served them to myself for dinner.

Yep.


I’ve crossed over.

When you are the parent of a teenage who has successfully convinced themselves that they are “adults”, it’s either jump in the pool with them, or watch them swim away alone. I chose to swim.

This joining of the dark side has proven very, very worthwhile. I am riddled with text messages while at work, while running errands, cleaning house, making dinner and laying in bed with a good book. Is it a bother? Absolutely not. I am thankful beyond measure that my teenage children are communicating with me.

They share details about where they are; who they are with; items they need from the store; and other useless information that I may or may not ignore. I offer you Exhibit A from Bitchy, who is currently a junior at a well known Big Ten University on the East Coast.

Exhibit A: (A random sampling of several texts I’ve received in the last two weeks.)
1. People who walk faster live longer.
2. Chips are not a food group.
3. I need my “allergy medicine” picked up.
4. Why won’t you pick up the phone. I need to go to the mall.
5. You can’t possibly lose weight after 50. Give up.

While I laugh out loud at most of the messages, as a parent I am always on edge about the dangerous possibilities when your children have phones; especially ones that connect to the internet. What can we do to ensure their safety? How do we know, in our hearts, that they will make smart choices?

We don’t. However, we have to let go and trust that the lessons they’ve learned while in our care will guide their hearts when they are forced to make choices.

I am going to take this opportunity to interview my children - Bitchy (21 and a junior in college), Sassy (18 and a freshman in college) and The Golden Boy. He’s 12, has his first phone and is texting everyone and their brother; whether he knows them or not.

Do you have questions I should ask? I would LOVE your thoughts and suggestions, and will answer them in my next post.

Because this topic is so important for our kids and their futures, BlogHer really wants to get the conversation about texting, sexting and safety going – both with our kids and among parents. It will match LG’s donation of .50 to dosomething.org for every comment on this post, so please give me your suggestions on questions for my kids. Dosomething.org will get a $1.00 for each and every one.

So, are we joining hands in our attempts to keep all young people safe in this technological world? Can we join the amazing Jane Lynch in her efforts in this regard??


I think we can.

So, for each comment, questions, suggestion I will do at LEAST one jumping jack. And perhaps a push-up or two. Go on - make my day.

Texting + Driving = HORRIBLE and DEALY Equation.

This is sponsored content from
BlogHer and LG Text Ed

Sassy called me late last Sunday night from college. We talked about this and that, catching up on the details of college life. We encouraged her to take her car to help make her treks to the athletic field easier, and we knew that many of the others girls on this small campus had their vehicles, as well.

After a few minutes talking about random things, she began to talk about the real reason she called.

“We didn’t have (field hockey) practice Friday night. Instead, they showed us a film about a great high school athlete. He was very talented, cute and popular, and going to college for football. Then they showed him being in a horrible car accident and how he was killed. It was so depressing!”

I knew in my heart what was coming.

“I really didn’t need to see that. I realize that most people don’t really understand how it feels when it happens to someone you know, but it was so hard to watch. I already KNOW about alcohol and driving. I already KNOW about not using your phone, or doing anything when you are driving. I know what it’s like to live with that every day. I wish I didn’t know, but I do.”

I listened to her talk, but I was remembering the fine young man we lost when he was a 16 year-old driver. My heart ached with the memory of him, and I knew that hers did as well. We have all prayed that other families never have to live through that kind of trauma, but I know they will.

My children (Sassy and Bitchy in particular) are fully aware of the dangers of distracted driving- and are adamant about that danger with anyone and every one who will listen. Frankly, I DO think they’ve impacted all their friends, and anyone who has ridden with them these last few years.

IN this small, small way they hope and pray that even just those few lives that they touch with this important message are kept safe and secure.

I have asked Sassy why she is so incredibly adamant with her friends about the phone issue in the car.

“Mom, no one knows; no one but us. But you know what? I don’t WANT anyone else to know what this is like. So, I do what I do. I yell at YOU, I yell at dad, and I’ll yell at anyone else who thinks that driving distracted is cool.”

That’s my girl.

We may LOOK ordinary, but we are fabulous...

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and ABC's No Ordinary Family.

I’ve spent many a night in bed wondering where I went wrong.

I’ve spent a billion nights schlepping through every hill and dale delivering my children to soccer games, track meets, field hockey tournaments, football games and play dates. I’ve forgotten field trip permission slips, yearbook money, birthday parties, and many important papers.

I’ve embarrassed my children in front of teachers, friends, parents of friends, my co-workers and potential suitors.

My children (Bitchy, Sassy and The Golden Boy), despite all my best efforts, apparently still love me. I offer this as evidence, and will forever refer to it as Exhibit One:

Fortunately for us (can you see my eyes rolling?) Bitchy lives close enough to our house that she can take her evening billion-mile run and come right to our back door.

She walked in the door the other night for a short visit from her college campus and noticed a birthday card on my counter.

“Oh my GOD!” She exclaimed as she grabbed it. “Is that from SASSY? But I thought she HATED you!”

“Me, too!” I said. “Apparently we were wrong.”

And now I have finally realized that this family, this amazingly normal, yelling, fighting family is really INDEED extraordinary.

And each of these surprising moments is a lovely reminder about how wonderful normal really can be.

ABC’s No Ordinary Family hosted a video contest to find the most EXTRADORDINARY family in America and starting September 27th you can help vote for the winner! Between September 27 and October 1, watch the top 5 video submissions and vote for your favorite. Click here for details and be sure to vote!

If given a chance, I will TOTALLY mess you up...

This is a sponsored post from 8th Continent and BlogHer.

I like to pride myself on the fact that I’ve stumbled upon every conceivable method know to man to screw my kids up.

I’ve made every wrong decision.

I’ve bought every heinous piece of back to school clothing.

I’ve alienated every teacher, coach or friend’s parent in my attempts to “help” my child along the way.

I like to think it’s a talent; my children, however, declare that they are cursed.

While the two older girls are happily away at college, Golden Boy is now the one at the receiving end of my wisdom.

Here is yesterday’s Parenting Lesson number 4,503.

While arranging an “Air-Soft Battle” as the end of the summer celebration, I received a phone call from on of the mothers involved. (Unfortunately, I forgot that tween boys hear everything within a ten mile radius.)

“Golden Boy does NOT want to have the battle unless John can come. Can we perhaps find another day this three-day weekend that will work? He was devastated that John was grounded. Uh huh. Uh huh. Okay. THAT will work. Thanks! Bye.” Click.

At this point I heard what sounded like a herd of elephants charging into the room.

“OH MY GOD!!!! I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU SAID THAT!! You said I was DEVASTATED? Crap. You made it sound like I LOVE him or something! MAN! I am not GAY you know. Good job, Mom. You’ve done it again.”

“I did NOT! I was just talking. I never…”

“Geez mom! Okay. From now on just let ME do the talking.”

Was I sad the girls were gone at college? It appears I still have some major damage I can do right here at home.

Let the fun begin.

The great part of this whole disaster? I know I am NOT ALONE! The good people over at 8^th Continent have gathered hysterical videos of moms JUST LIKE US! You know- the human ones; the moms that make mistakes, that try their best, that love their kids but always feel as if every move they make is the wrong one!

Do you have a story? Can you share something that will make the rest of us feel normal? Tell me here, and you will have the chance to win an amazing price from 8^th Continent, and along with that the respect of every other “normal” mother out there. In order to qualify you can post your idea here on Facebook, or Follow on Twitter here; and leave a comment below! And if you leave a comment HERE, you can win a $100 gift card from ME!!! Yes, I will be doing a random drawing for a prize RIGHT HERE.

Also, be SURE to visit BlogHer.com special offers page" at Blogher for a chance to win more!

Yes. Let the fun begin indeed.