Category Archives: Personal

Elementary School Homework Anxiety – What can I do about it?

Homework Tips Needed!
Homework Tips Needed!

My eleven year old son is in 5th grade and is experiencing a bit of what I call “Homework Anxiety” lately.   He already appears to have what I call “Test Anxiety” as even though he does (or did) well on his homework, he would not always do well on his test scores.  I had test anxiety so severe in high school, my teachers put me in a room by myself during tests.  That’s pretty strange now that I think about it 20 years later.

Anyway, I hate for my son and I to be stressed during homework time every day and it’s been happening for a few weeks so I’m trying to make some changes but could really use some other parent’s advice on this as well.

How I’m trying to help my son:

  • Communication –  I emailed his teachers to let them know that we are working hard on getting him back on track and to ask them if they have any tips and advice for me regarding homework time.
  • Scheduling – I am trying to adhere to a more strict schedule with him so he knows when he has to sit down to do his homework and won’t get upset about it because he’s expecting it.
  • Stay calm – I’ve noticed that the second I start to get worked up and stressed about his homework, he would do the same. I’m trying to keep my cool and let him know that he needs to do the same.

Do you have homework tips you can share with me? Please leave them in the comments below.

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor

Something I Want to Try This Year – I Want To Drive A Race Car.. on a Race Track!

36 years ago, I was brought home from the hospital at two days old in an orange Porsche 911.    Ever since then, well maybe not until I was about 8, I have loved cars.  I thought Jaguars were the coolest car for the longest time and I can tell you what just about any car (make) is just from a side view.  I can even out-do my husband in that game!  My dad used to take my sister and I to the Daytona International Speedeay and I loved watching the races but was scared of the loud noise.

I loved cars up until about ten years ago when I had a car accident which left me fearful of driving and of being a passenger in a car, for a long time. My son (1.5 years old at the time) was in the back seat of my parked SUV when the SUV started rolling down my steep driveway.   I had already gotten out of the car and had opened his door when it started rolling down the driveway. I tried to get back in the front seat to push on the break but I didn’t make it and instead was trapped under the car rolling down the steep driveway for about 100 feet after which the car landed on top of me.   I was later told that I suffered a mild stroke during the accident which may be why I’m so crazy these days.  I was pinned under the front wheel of the SUV for some time until Firemen got to me and were able to get me out from under the car.   I was in physical therapy (and regular therapy) for some time after the accident due to nerve and muscle damage and have some residual issues but for the most part, I’m fine now.. physically at least.

Just in the last couple of years I’ve become more comfortable with driving and with being a passenger again. In fact, I took a big step by attending a Honda Ride and Drive event in San Diego last Fall, where besides driving the Odyssey through the hills of San Diego myself, I got to ride on a closed course at Qualcomm Stadium with a professional driver.  Riding on the closed course at Qualcomm Stadium, going 60 mph around sharp turns (safely) gave me an adrenaline rush that I hadn’t felt in a long time and helped me get over some of my fear of being a passenger and of driving in risky situations.

I want to drive a race car

Since realizing that driving isn’t all that bad, I want to try something.. I want to drive a race car on a real race track! This would be a huge step for me mentally.   Like I said earlier, I am more comfortable with driving now but am not all the way there yet.  I still look at cars as accidents waiting to happen and have got to get over that completely which I think a race car driving experience will do for me.  I may have to wear some Pampers (yes, a P&G plug!) while driving the race car but darned it I’m not going to make it happen!  I’m not sure how I can make that happen but now that I’ve realized that I CAN DO IT, I am going to look into how I can accomplish this, this year.  Maybe I’ll even have a special pink and purple slip on a firesuit made just for me to wear during my race car driving experience!

The Divine Miss Mommy - P&G giveawayI was inspired to write this post in response to The Divine Miss Mommy‘s article about a P&G Media Event in Miami.  P&G products are part of our every day lives here in the Hagan household.  We use the Swiffter WetJet, Gillett razores, Pantene shampoo and conditioner, Charmin toilet paper (too personal?), and will ONLY use Cascade dishwasher detergant.. all P&G brands, but there are several P&G brand products that I haven’t tried yet but would love to try including Lacoste Fragrances and Cover Girl’s Eye Enhancers 4 Shadow Kit (drama eyes) because I need to learn that it’s OK to stand out a little sometimes.. with purple eye shadow!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and let me know what you want to try this year in the comments below!

Alicia Hagan, Mom Blog editor

A Story: The Backwards Laundry Switch

I asked my 11 year old son to switch his laundry a little while ago and just realized that he didn’t bring the clothes that were in the dryer, upstairs.  I asked him what he did with the dry clothes and he said he put them back in the washing machine.  I asked him why he did that and he said “Mom, they were in the dryer for like a week”.  “Huh?”, I said.  He said “Mom, you always tell me to re-wash clothes if we left them in the washing machine over night because they’ll smell”.   I couldn’t get on to him after saying that.  I just couldn’t.   I didn’t know what to say.
He was either seriously not thinking about the difference between clothes being left in a washing machine for a few days and clothes being left in a dryer for a few days or he was being really lazy.  Either way, I laughed it off because it was actually pretty funny and I’m sure he won’t do it again.  Or will he?

Hilarious and True article by Elizabeth at DaMomma: “The Safe List — And Why You’re Not On It”

BlogHer Twitter - The Safe List article

I saw the above Tweet this afternoon for an article featured on BlogHer so I jumped over to the article and unlike a lot of articles I come across, I actually read it in it’s entirety. It’s hilarious and true.. for me at at least. The article titled The Safe List — And Why You’re Not On It, is written by Elizabeth Soutter author of DaMomma.com, and tells of a series of worries that is often kept silent by many a mom.

Would it be considered offensive if I emailed a link to this article to all of my friends, who’s houses my kids might be invited to?
Just kidding.. I don’t think I’m that paranoid. We are lucky enough to really know most of the parents of the kid’s who’s houses my kid’s might go to (really strange sentence), so I’m not worried about the parents being coke snorters (except for you.. you know who I’m talking about! – just kidding again! – Sudafed is making crazy today), pedophiles, or gun toting freaks. But I love the article all the same and feel some justification in my often paranoid thinking, after having read it.

Brilliant article Elizabeth!

Relaxing in my room at the Montage Beverly Hills – Here for Power of Women luncheon tomorrow!

I’m relaxing in my room at the Montage Beverly Hills after enjoying a nice walk down Rodeo Drive with Jamie from Blonde Mom Blog.  Why am I here you ask?  Well, I was chosen by Honda to present one of this year’s Power of Women honoree’s with keys to a 2011 Honda Odyssey at the Variety Power of Women luncheon here in Beverly Hills tomorrow.
Yes, I’m nervous, but I’ll be OK.. right?  I’m assuming you said “right Alicia”.  Thank you. 🙂

Montage Beverly Hills suite
Montage Beverly Hills suite

Jamie Reeves (Blonde Mom Blog) and Alicia Hagan (The Mommy Insider) at Montage Beverly Hills
Jamie Reeves (Blonde Mom Blog) and Alicia Hagan (The Mommy Insider) at Montage Beverly Hills

About the Variety Power of Women event:

Variety hosts our exclusive event celebrating the Power of Women and their impact on philanthropic and charitable causes. Variety honors a select group of women in entertainment who, through their efforts, have made a significant difference to their chosen causes. 400 invite-only guests made up of Hollywood insiders and A-list talent come to celebrate, support and pay tribute to the philanthropic efforts of these amazing womenVariety’s philanthropy bizarre provides an interactive area for guests to engage with the participating brand sponsors and the featured charities. The goal of Variety’s Power of Women is to inspire and encourage people from all walks of life to get involved, give back and make a difference.

2010 Variety Power of Women Event Honorees

Hmm.. I can’t help but wonder if Tom Cruise will be at the luncheon tomorrow to support his wife, Katie Holmes as she’s honored for her philanthropic efforts for Dizzy Feet Foundation?  I’ll be sure to let you know!

I am so honored to be attending this great event and to be in the same room as such wonderful people.  These women have worked hard to achieve their status as celebrities and philanthropists and deserve to be honored.

Other bloggers attending the Power of Women luncheon: