Make your internet searches count! By using Goodsearch as your primary search engine and selecting Mommies Network (Charlotte, NC) as your charity, you will donate a penny to
us for each search you make!
ClarksvilleMommies is always looking for guest bloggers. CLICK HERE to check out our guidelines.
Welcome to ClarksvilleMommies!
As part of The Mommies Network, ClarksvilleMommies.com is a free community for moms in Fort Campbell and Hopkinsville KY and Montgomery County, Houston County, Stewart County, Tennessee. We realize that all moms need local support -- and who can't use another friend? ClarksvilleMommies.com offers a simple way to connect with local moms for friendship, support and fun. Members meet on our private discussion forums to share information on everything from where to get the best haircut to tips on transitioning to a "big kid" bed. Each month, we also offer many face-to-face events for our members, their children and their families.
Register today to access our discussion
forums, events calendar and more! It's free and we'll keep your info secure and private. ClarksvilleMommies Blog
My Eeyore Experience I have been thinking of going back to graduate school for years. School was always really enjoyable for me, even though I was not the most diligent student, and taking some classes at the graduate level is really appealing at this point in my life. Now that we are in Charlotte and settled here for the foreseeable future, it's the perfect time. Back in September, I got my application all together and applied to the Masters in Liberal Sciences program at UNC Charlotte. I was accepted and am all ready to start!
As a SAHM, I naturally have to find something for my children to do while I am away expanding my mind. After calls to all my regular girls and asking around, I was lucky to find someone who was a full-time nanny for a friend but now has time available right when I need it. Perfect! She came over and met the kids, and I am all set.
I ordered my book for my class (I'm only taking one?don?t want too much pressure my first semester back in a decade) and when it came in the mail, I was a bit surprised by its weight. Books for graduate school are quite big, I soon learned. And in-depth. This is much more reading than I have done in a while. But I got my first assignment and delved in. I certainly want to be prepared for my first day!
After nearly falling asleep several times, I managed to make it through all 73 pages to prepare myself for the first day. Upon reviewing it with a friend, I explained the pages were completely full of words, two columns worth, and were very dense. The sight of a chart was exciting, as it meant less to read.
So here I am, the week that class starts. I am more excited than I have been in quite some time. My homework is done, I have a new computer, and my kids are taken care of. Until I get a text message from the sitter that I arranged, that is.
First of all, it is completely inappropriate to quit a job via text message. Second, regardless of what kind of emergency has come up, a person should always live up to commitments made. Third, I am incredibly upset. My anger subsides and turns into complete deflation. (Here is where Eeyore comes in.)
In Chapter 6 of Winnie-the-Pooh, it is Eeyore?s birthday. Pooh is going to give him a pot of honey. However, Pooh eats all the honey, as he often does. Piglet is going to give Eeyore a red balloon, but while running to see Eeyore, Piglet pops the balloon.
So here I am, with an empty pot of honey and a busted red balloon. All dressed up with no place to go. A dog that doesn't hunt.
But, in this story, Eeyore is quite pleased when Pooh shows up with the empty pot of honey. It is because his popped balloon fits perfectly inside of it.
Sometimes, things fall apart so that others may fall into place.
Post submitted by Katie from The Mommies Network's Content Team
February Is Cultural Awareness Month!
February is Cultural Awareness Month at The Mommies Network, and we're thinking globally! Share a love for foreign language and different cultures with your child in our Multicultural Mommies forum on our National Chapter. Each week, we'll feature several languages and cultural tidbits. You may also participate and strengthen your language lingo in a special webinar. Additionally, our sponsor will provide information on how you can continue your language-learning experience after the month is over.
According to Associated Content, brain research shows that children are at an optimal age for language learning. Although language study is effective at any age, some studies suggest that the human brain is more open to learning a foreign language from birth to preadolescence. Fortunately, researchers have not found an age in which the language window closes completely, especially in the areas of grammar and vocabulary.
Take advantage of this opportunity to think globally, and join us as we learn about foreign languages and different ways of life during Cultural Awareness Month at TMN!
Websites to Keep Your Health Goals on Track Staying healthy and active can be fun, easy, and even free! We all need a little nudge from time to time to stay the course. Motivation, inspiration, and support can be found within our families, friends, and ourselves. However, it can also be just a mouse click away!
Below, you'll find some visitworthy sites to assist you in your journey to your most optimal health and wellness! What's even better is that they are all free resources!
Do you have a few hours of extra time each week? Do you love your local chapter? Would you like to be more involved with The Mommies Network? TMN could not run without the help of volunteers like you!
Please check out the Help Wanted section on the National Chapter for all our current open positions. It is updated regularly, so check back! Posts will note if positions have experience requirements, certain skill requirements, or time requirements. If you have a particular knowledge or skill that you think might be beneficial to The Mommies Network, click here.
If you have any questions regarding our current vacancies, please email hr@themommiesnetwork.org!
Science Mom: Static Tinsel Levitating Orb I have decided to start doing science experiments with my daughter. She loves learning and doing crafts, so I knew they were going to be a huge hit. I searched online for easy experiments and came across Science Bob. This is a great site for basic experiments to do with kids. We decided to try the Static Tinsel Levitating Orb experiment.
Supplies
1-inch-wide PVC pipe about 24 inches long: You can also use a regular balloon if you do not have PVC pipe. I got my PVC pipe at Lowe's, which will cut your pipe for free.
Mylar tinsel for Christmas trees: There are many types of tinsel. You should look for the thinnest and narrowest possible. For the tinsel I used, I was just lucky and found it in one of my Christmas presents. But Science Bob also sells tinsel on its website.
A head of clean, dry hair
Scissors
Tape (optional)
Lay out six strings of tinsel, and tie one side of the tinsel into a knot. I found that if I took three strings and taped the ends together, and did the same with the other three strings, it was easier to tie the knot.
Repeat, and tie a knot on the other end of the tinsel, making an orb. Cut off any excess string on both ends.
Take your PVC pipe, and charge it up by rubbing it on the back of your hair or your child's. Virginia was not sure what I was doing to her. I told her that the PVC pipe is her magic wand.
By rubbing it in your hair, you are making static electricity.
Then take your PVC pipe, and drop the tinsel orb high above it. The orb should repel when it gets near the pipe. If it doesn't repel, then your tinsel is too thick. For me, I noticed that sometimes the orb would stick to my pipe. But if I dropped the orb high above the pipe, I got the best results. Virginia had a blast doing it.
How Does It Work?
It is all about static charges. Similar static charges repel each other. When you rub the pipe in your hair, you give the pipe a negative static charge. The orb is attracted to the pipe at first because the orb has a positive charge. As soon as the orb touches the pipe, it picks up a negative charge. Since the pipe is negative, and the tinsel orb is now negative, they repel each other, and the orb levitates! The orb will also take on more of a ball appearance when charged, since all the tinsel strands are repelling each other. Did you notice the orb is attracted to other objects around you ? including you? That is because most objects (including you) have a positive charge. ? Science Bob
Make It an Experiment!
The project above is a demonstration. To make it a true experiment, you can try to answer these questions:
Does the number of Mylar strands affect how well the orb levitates?
Do different materials (hair, fur, and wool) build up better static charges?
How long does the static charge last, and how can you make it last longer?
Do different widths of pipe affect the floating ability of the orb?
? Science Bob
Post submitted by Kathy from The Mommies Network's Content Team
