Welcome readers to this month’s installment of Hey Heylee, our monthly parenting advice column!
From Blah to Huzzah!
Hey Heylee,
I am sick of the white stuff. It’s everywhere and even though I keep hoping to make it go away, it never fails. There’s always more. I’m bored. My kids are bored. Please help!
Dandruff is a major hassle – I totally get it. All that white stuff covering your sensible sweaters and slacks? Don’t let it bore you and your kids, though. There are still plenty of things to do even if you have dandruff. Wait–are you talking about snow? Geez, that’s embarrassing.
Add color to your white wonderland, girlfriend. I know you’ve got extra balloons floating around in one of your closets. Fill up those floppy friends with some water, add a couple of drops of food coloring, tie ’em up and toss ’em outside (gently). Once the water has completely frozen, cut off the balloon and…. voila! You’ve got yourself ice gems to pop that colorless landscape of yours. Kids love it and so will you as long as you’re not allergic to latex. Or fun.
Check out Jean Van’t Hul, who has a fantastic blog with other great family-friendly cool art activities right here.
Goose Clips
Hey Heylee,
My kiddos HATE haircuts. I have gone to every salon, every stylist, and tried every trick from bribery to home haircuts, to shoving a bald cap on their heads and it’s always a fight. Anytime I even mention the word haircut, they run away like a gaggle of lunatic geese and I’m done with it! Help!?!
Well, you’ve got that right. Geese are total lunatics. Why must you they insist on being the loudest birds ever? We get it. Tuck your tail feathers in. You’re impossible to miss.
See, kids are like geese. They’re highly protective of their territory, can be sloppy, rude, and will always win in a fight. Next time your kiddos are due for a haircut (or consider calling it something Hair Recess), start a conversation about the experience. What do they like/dislike? How do they feel about going? How can you make it better? Listen and be open to what they share.
Now it’s time to Goose ‘em. OUCH. No, not like that. Geese are social creatures by nature so activate your creative brain with a little pretending. Put on your playful cap and act out the scene. Walk through all the steps of going to the salon and getting a haircut. Add flair and fun with character names, and voices. Take turns giving and getting the haircut. Rinse and repeat as necessary.
Tic Tax Season
Hey Heylee,
I typically do my own taxes, but this year things got more complicated with the tax credit and other personal stuff. I could use help with them this year, but don’t want to break the bank. Know of any places in Cedar Rapids that can help a gal out?
Look at you, being all responsible. In all my adult years, I have never filed taxes for my lake home, beach properties, bitcoin investments, or the Tic Tac Patch (trademarked) I inherited from my Uncle Larry. I privately farm and grow Tic Tac candy.
Certainly, there are wonderful people out there willing to lend a hand without costing you both your arm and leg. Did you know that the United Way of East Central Iowa offers free income tax assistance? And did you also know that you have to file taxes? Thankfully someone from the IRS just gave me a courtesy call. Wish someone had told me sooner. Anyhow, find out if you qualify, learn more, and sign up on their website.
That’s it for this month, folks.
Need parenting advice? Got more questions? I’ve got relatively acceptable answers. Send your parenting questions to: info@crmoms.com and I’ll do my best to help you out.
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