One of the places I love to hang out at in the summer is Ikea (College Park). I started going there one summer a few years back when our A/C was broken. That's when I discovered how wonderful that place is.
First off, they have 99 cent breakfast. It comes with two pieces of pork bacon, eggs and potato wedges. Now, I don't eat pork, so I ask for it sans bacon, but it's still a pretty good deal. And if you go for breakfast in the half hour before the store opens, you get free coffee. So, that's a wonderful perk.
Also, for parents with kids between 37 and 54 inches in height, there's free babysitting. They have a supervised play area, where parents can leave children who meet the height requirements and are potty trained. Ikea gives you a little buzzer and you can go shop in peace. They'll buzz if there's a problem and when it's time to pick up your kid. There is a time limit (I believe it's 2 hours), but it does give you a little me time. I've seen many parents in the eatery sipping coffee and reading the paper with their buzzer sitting on the table in front of them.
If your kids don't meet the requirements, there are several play stations for kids as you shop. My children love playing in the kids area, especially the slide. Plus, they love to sit on all the beds. So, lots of fun. Unfortunately, my kids also love the ice cream cones they sell downstairs for $1 each. If I'm not in the mood to buy ice cream, I tell the kids beforehand, no ice cream today, and we're still able to go and have fun.
I stopped in for breakfast and coffee the other day without the kids, and learned they have a wonderful food special on Thursdays. You can get a quarter of rotisserie chicken and mashed potatoes for just $1.99. What a deal. So, I may stop back in this upcoming Thursday.
If you haven't been to the Ikea College Park with your kids, you should definitely check it out. Here's the website of the store, for pertinent details like hours and address: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/college_park.
-Hyattsville Mom
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Short Summer
Back in March, I signed up my children for two, two-week sessions of camp. The camp they're attending offered four two-week sessions. So, I figured by only signing them up for two of those sessions, I'd have lots of time to spend doing fun things with the kids.
I was wrong!
I just sat down to try to figure out what we'd do with our free time. And I realized we don't really have any. We're taking two weeks to visit family and my son asked to do a week of half-day basketball camp, which we agreed to. And now, there's no time left in summer. Bummer!
PG County schools don't end until June 17 and restart on Aug. 22. That's just under two full months of summer break. It's so little time. I really wish we had more time away from school so the kids could really get a break. These short short summers are no good.
What do you folks out there think? Is the summer break (based on county school calendar) just right, too short, or too long?
-Hyattsville Mom
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Weekend - May 28/29
Well, it's Memorial Day Weekend. Whether you'll be staying home this weekend, or heading out of town, I hope you have a safe weekend.
Our family will be in town this weekend, and we'll try to do something fun, though we don't have anything in particular planned, as of yet. (I know, the weekend's already here, and nothing planned. Sad.)
This is a weekend post, so it will be short. Just one quick tale. Yesterday, my 4-year-old daughter asked me to give her a piggy back ride. I looked at her, and said, "Honey, I'm too old and weak to carry you around." Of course, she looks at me and says, "Mommy, you're old, but you're not weak. You're strong." Hmmm. I guess 35 is the new 85.
Alright, everyone, have a great weekend.
Our family will be in town this weekend, and we'll try to do something fun, though we don't have anything in particular planned, as of yet. (I know, the weekend's already here, and nothing planned. Sad.)
This is a weekend post, so it will be short. Just one quick tale. Yesterday, my 4-year-old daughter asked me to give her a piggy back ride. I looked at her, and said, "Honey, I'm too old and weak to carry you around." Of course, she looks at me and says, "Mommy, you're old, but you're not weak. You're strong." Hmmm. I guess 35 is the new 85.
Alright, everyone, have a great weekend.
Friday, May 27, 2011
A financial blow to Moms who earn less/stay-at-home
I received an e-mail the other day that left me quite appalled. Apparently the Federal Reserve issued a new regulation in March that will stop spouses from using "household" income to apply for new credit. Under the new reg, which takes effect in October, credit issuers can only consider "individual income" when you apply for new credit or seek to up your current credit line.
That's right: if you stay-at-home and earn no income or work a lower-paying job (so you can have more flexible hours) to better care for your children, you can't get new credit! Yeah. Appalling. (Read more here: http://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/53028816.aspx?MsdVisit=1)
Your husband can co-sign for you, but really, that's a step back to 1950s America--and not in a good way.
Just because a person (man or woman, though it is still disproportionately women) chooses to stay home or work fewer hours so they can care for children, doesn't mean they have to be completely financially at the mercy of their spouse. While we all agree that they are relying on their spouse a lot when they choose this path, the federal government should not put those spouses further under the thumb of the primary breadwinner. It puts the final nail in the coffin of the spouse's opportunity to have some financial independence. Now, if a person is planning to leave their spouse, but wants to open a line of credit before hand, they need their spouse's permission to do it.
Even if a spouse doesn't mind co-signing, it's demeaning to require the other to ask this to get new credit.
We all know one key reason people stay in abusive relationships is a lack of financial independence. When the federal government comes in and says you can't get financial independence without the abuser's permission, that's wrong. And don't fool yourself, that's exactly what the government is saying when they require nonworking spouses to use "individual income" in order to get or extend their own credit.
-Hyattsville Mom
That's right: if you stay-at-home and earn no income or work a lower-paying job (so you can have more flexible hours) to better care for your children, you can't get new credit! Yeah. Appalling. (Read more here: http://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/53028816.aspx?MsdVisit=1)
Your husband can co-sign for you, but really, that's a step back to 1950s America--and not in a good way.
Just because a person (man or woman, though it is still disproportionately women) chooses to stay home or work fewer hours so they can care for children, doesn't mean they have to be completely financially at the mercy of their spouse. While we all agree that they are relying on their spouse a lot when they choose this path, the federal government should not put those spouses further under the thumb of the primary breadwinner. It puts the final nail in the coffin of the spouse's opportunity to have some financial independence. Now, if a person is planning to leave their spouse, but wants to open a line of credit before hand, they need their spouse's permission to do it.
Even if a spouse doesn't mind co-signing, it's demeaning to require the other to ask this to get new credit.
We all know one key reason people stay in abusive relationships is a lack of financial independence. When the federal government comes in and says you can't get financial independence without the abuser's permission, that's wrong. And don't fool yourself, that's exactly what the government is saying when they require nonworking spouses to use "individual income" in order to get or extend their own credit.
-Hyattsville Mom
Thursday, May 26, 2011
How's your summer planning?
I'm in the thick of planning what to do this summer. Or, more accurately, how to fit it all in this summer.
With PG county schools not getting out until June 17, and returning to school on Aug. 22, the kids have less than two months off. I thought I'd go light by only signing them up for two, 2-week sessions of camp. However, now that we're going on two week-long trips to visit family, it looks like now that's pretty much the bulk of their summer gone.
I have a lot less to plan for. I was thinking of going to the museums, or maybe event six flags a couple of times, but now I've got to figure out when to squeeze it in. Kids--and parents--definitely need a longer break.
So, how's your summer planning going? Any unexpected surprises--good or bad?
Hyattsville Mom
With PG county schools not getting out until June 17, and returning to school on Aug. 22, the kids have less than two months off. I thought I'd go light by only signing them up for two, 2-week sessions of camp. However, now that we're going on two week-long trips to visit family, it looks like now that's pretty much the bulk of their summer gone.
I have a lot less to plan for. I was thinking of going to the museums, or maybe event six flags a couple of times, but now I've got to figure out when to squeeze it in. Kids--and parents--definitely need a longer break.
So, how's your summer planning going? Any unexpected surprises--good or bad?
Hyattsville Mom
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Free Play
Sorry, I haven't posted in a while. Will become regular again after Memorial Day.
However, did want to let folks know that the Publick Playhouse (5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly, MD) is offering free tickets to it's next production: The Great Zucchini, on June 2, for both the 10:15 a.m. and Noon show. Tickets had been $3, but are now free.
The production is aimed at kids aged 3-8. It's described by the Playhouse as follows: "One of the area’s funniest and most magical entertainers performs a colorful magic show where every child is a star and guaranteed to laugh. This “Kid Whisperer” keeps tots laughing with his magical antics."
To check availability or reserve tickets, call the Playhouse at 301-277-1710. For more information on the Publick Playhouse, visit it's website: http://www.mncppcapps.org/pgparks/art_events/events_and_performances.aspx?q=publick#ev39.
-Hyattsville Mom
However, did want to let folks know that the Publick Playhouse (5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly, MD) is offering free tickets to it's next production: The Great Zucchini, on June 2, for both the 10:15 a.m. and Noon show. Tickets had been $3, but are now free.
The production is aimed at kids aged 3-8. It's described by the Playhouse as follows: "One of the area’s funniest and most magical entertainers performs a colorful magic show where every child is a star and guaranteed to laugh. This “Kid Whisperer” keeps tots laughing with his magical antics."
To check availability or reserve tickets, call the Playhouse at 301-277-1710. For more information on the Publick Playhouse, visit it's website: http://www.mncppcapps.org/pgparks/art_events/events_and_performances.aspx?q=publick#ev39.
-Hyattsville Mom
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