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About me - Valerie Christensen

Parenting & Pregnancy > Childhood Development How to create calming and effective bedtime rituals for children
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There is very little within the spectrum of average parenting that can't be made up for with a high-quality tuck in.The tuck in was an essential nightly ritual in my upbringing which, like my own children, I prolonged with a variety of elaborate efforts: the additional story, the drink, the extra hug and kiss, the need for mo... More..

Food & Drink > Spices, Herbs & Condiments Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): Effects on health
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You know MSG loves you, and you love it. It makes you think everything it is in is so surprisingly yummy, you just have to have more.Think about how you feel about Cheetos, or BBQ potato chips, or, in a very weak moment, maybe even KFC. You can't eat just one for a reason. You can put this stuff on cardboard and all of a sudd... More..

Parenting & Pregnancy > Child Discipline Strategies Children and chores: An alternative perspective
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Let it be known from this day forward: dinner ends when the kitchen is clean.It's the same scene, every night. Plenty of noise, but no people in sight. Lots of banging over my head. Everyone is upstairs yelling-they are playing or fighting or both. I'm alone downstairs, dejectedly taking in the carnage of another completed di... More..

Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Tips What children need from their parents
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When my children are out of their routine and spoiled rotten with endless activities and generous granparents, their behavior goes down the toilet. We understand our children need structure, but they also need purpose. This can't be served by constant entertainment.I see enormous improvements with my son Ben, now eight, when ... More..

Parenting & Pregnancy > Toddlers Tips for teaching good work ethics to children
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I have a vague recollection that I used to get paid better for working a lot less, although at the time I thought I worked very hard and felt Very Important about it. Whether that image is distant memory, an alternate reality or a complicated dream from late-night bean burritos, I remember learning an important lesson there.M... More..

Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Tips Tips for becoming a better parent
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Today's award for mama multitasking goes to my sister-in-law, who managed to 1) drive on the freeway while 2) running errands, while 3) making a baby (8 mos pregnant), and simultaneously 4) throwing up in a Target bag.Congratulations, sis, your prize consists of another bag to put that one in so you can tie it up and drive it... More..

Parenting & Pregnancy > Childhood Development Raising independent, self-motivated children
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A mother I admire once advised me to use positive reinforcement (a payoff) at least as much as negative (I'll make you pay!). But, like many parents, when I reward, I worry that I'm bribing.Somehow, when I'm constantly harping and implementing lame consequences, I don't worry that I'm being an ineffective jerk. No, I worry mo... More..

Home & Garden > Cleaning (Other) Quick cleaning tips for busy moms
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I'm talking to my son in the living room. He is almost finished with an apple. I finish our conversation by saying he may play outside. He exclaims joyfully, drops the finished apple, and darts out the door. He did this, you see, because he was done with it. And that is where he was standing. Overwhelmed by the glorious prosp... More..

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