The Kids Are All Right

In honor of National Coming Out Day, I wanted to highlight the growing number of families that are made up of same sex parents and remind readers about the film by Focus Features that had me smiling, laughing, crying and reflecting on my own unique family. The Kids Are All Right played at independent theatres a few months ago and is due out on DVD in early November.

Now that I’m a part of a blended family, I find myself having to explain our situation on a regular basis. Several of my son’s classmates are having a hard time believing that his father is not the father of my unborn child. I’ve had to correct assumptions with other adults about the fact that I am no longer married to my son’s father.

I try extra hard not to make assumptions about other people’s situations since I know many families made up of single parents, same sex parents and blended families like my own. Some single parents are single by choice, have had a spouse who has died, or have a co-parent who is involved as much as mine is.  Some of these parents have adopted their kids, or have used other methods to bring their children into the world and may or not share their child’s last name. Each of these families are as special as the next.

No matter how your family was created, The Kids Are All Right provides a great look at life with teenage kids, a relationship with a partner that may not be as perfect as you would hope, and what it means to be a family.

Annette Bening and Julianne Moore are the parents in this film, a lesbian couple who used a sperm donor to bring their two children into the world. Mark Ruffalo plays the donor who the teenage kids end up searching for in order to find out a little more about their family history and to thank him for making it possible to be here.

While much of the film focuses on the relationship between the two women, it’s a powerful reflection  of life as a teenager (and life with teenagers) as the young characters handle awkward, yet everyday situations,  from friends who might not be the best influence, to managing romantic relationships for the first time.

The film is Rated R  so parents should be cautious before seeing this film with their kids. It had me laughing out loud in several scenes and brought me to tears in many more (dropping off their daughter at college brought back bittersweet memories of my first day on  campus). I highly recommend you add this to your Netflix queue if you haven’t had a chance to see it yet.

National Coming Out Day might be once a year, but there are things we can do each and every day to help support the LGBT community. The Coming Out Project helps LGBT, as well as straight-supportive people live openly and talk about their support for equality at home, at work and in their communities each and every day. Get involved today.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Building a Strong Marriage

I know how this is going to sound to some people, but after seeing Sex and the City 2, I started to feel better about my long-distance marriage and stopped trying to analyze what it could mean for the future of our relationship. I gave up trying to explain it to others while worrying about what they might think.

Without spoiling the film (too much), I am referring to the fact that Carrie and Big have a  heavy discussion about the dynamics of their marriage that has her thinking, doubting, and hoping her friends will understand and support her. Of course, this is the major theme (that I took, at least) throughout the movie as other relationships are examined, judged and discussed as the girls enjoy their adventures in the Middle East (even though these scenes were were filmed in Morocco).

Regardless of the film’s reviews (not so good overall), I do have to say it got me – and many others, I’m sure – thinking about the dynamics of their own relationship with their significant other.

These days, there is no such thing as a traditional marriage and I’m pleased to share my experience with others since we’re all trying to navigate and define our own marriages or try to figure out what makes our relationship work.

Each couple is different. Obviously trust plays a huge role in any situation, but what else? I know for us, humor is a major factor. Being able to laugh together – even from far away – keeps us grounded and reminds us that even though we’re not together every day, there are things we can still build memories around on a regular basis.

What makes your relationship work?

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

BABIES recharged the batteries in my biological clock

Last week, I was invited to a screening of the film, BABIES, by Focus Features. I have always enjoyed the films this production company puts out and BABIES was no exception.

Without much dialogue and with very little adult interaction, the cameras captured the first year in the life of four babies from four different regions of our world.

From Japan, San Francisco, Mongolia and Namibia, four very happy, healthy, and I dare say, hip, babies captured my heart, bringing me to tears many times. I found myself smiling beaming throughout the film as I recalled the early days of my son’s life.

The images captured in the movie poster (to the right) are just a small glimpse behind the emotions displayed by each of the four babies throughout their daily lives. Watching how each one of them interacts with the pets and animals in their surroundings along with the older children and adults is priceless; watching them sleep even more so.

I watched the official trailer a few times before the screening. I’ve watched it a few more after seeing the film. Is there anything cuter than naked babies exploring their new world?

Anyone who has ever had a baby, or been a baby will enjoy this film.

BABIES opens in theatres on May 7th, in time for Mother’s Day weekend.

Learn more about the BABIES iPHone app, Facebook contest and how to share your own stories about your baby on their interactive website.

Oh, and don’t worry. The batteries of my biological clock have since been removed.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Do You Care for Valentine’s Day?

I  cringe when thinking about the time my ex-husband gave me a Vermont Teddy Bear for Valentine’s Day – over six months after he moved out and filed for divorce.

Even though the card said that it was from my son, I couldn’t help but gag at the idea. I mean, it’s not like our son (who was only 3 at the time) actually picked it out or even suggested that he get me a gift at all. In fact, when I opened the box, my son grabbed the bear, assuming it was for him. I didn’t argue.

Sad to say this is the memory that first came to mind when reading about this contest from Care.com (the largest and fastest growing service used by families to find high-quality caregivers) .

They have put together an awesome Valentine’s Day contest which allows people to share their most romantic or funny Valentine’s Day memory. I’m guessing if you have a story to enter, it’s much funnier and way more romantic than mine.

One lucky Grand Prize winner will receive a trip for two to Los Angeles, including round-trip airfare, a two-night hotel stay at the luxury SLS Hotel with dinner for two at SLS’s Bazaar restaurant and a private VIP tour of the Warner Bros. Studio lot, where “Valentine’s Day” was filmed.  Twelve finalists will each receive two tickets to see the film.  In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Care.com will also provide the winners with a free one-month premium membership to find that perfect babysitter.

HOW TO ENTER: Enter at www.facebook.com/caredotcom, and share your most romantic or funniest Valentine’s Day memory. All entries should be rated PG. The twelve finalists will be selected during the months of January and February 2010. One Grand Prize Winner will be selected from among the 12 finalists in February. Three Finalists will be selected by a panel of judges on or around each of the following dates: January 23, 2010, January 30, 2010, February 6, 2010, and February 13, 2010. One Grand Prize Winner will be selected from among the 12 Finalists on or around February 13, 2010.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Brothers and Wives

Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Tobey Maguire star in Brothers (directed by Jim Sheridan), an amazing and intense story of a young man fighting to survive after being captured in Afghanistan, and upon return home, fighting for his old life back.

The movie trailer depicts the anger, resentment and anxiety that Sam (played by Maguire) brings home after his experience as a POW, but it’s the chemistry between the characters played by Portman (Grace) and Gyllenhaal (Tommy) that truly sends Sam over the edge. After returning home, he watches every move, follows every sound and literally falls apart when he discovers that his daughters and wife feel more safe with and loved by his brother, Tommy, who had just been released from prison before Sam was deployed for the fourth time.

Maguire lost a great deal of weight for the role, training several times a day while only consuming 1,200 calories to prepare for this project. He talks about it in an interview with Access Hollywood and speaks of the marines he met with at Camp Pendleton and the research that went into the development of his character.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects military families in devastating ways. There are resources available to help but as Maguire so genuinely states in his interview, it is those of us who have not served that need to be open to the discussions that typically remain unspoken.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Where the Wild Things Are

My son adores books and anything having to do with reading or writing. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak was one of the first books we added to his home library. We also managed to build up his DVD collection and luckily, many of the same videos that kept his attention then still hold his interest now.

Just the other night, he was going through his DVDs to pick one out to watch. Since school has started we haven’t really been spending that much time watching TV or having the TV on at all, so he started pulling out DVD after DVD and was having a hard time trying to select one.

I nearly had a heart attack when he pulled out an orange box and jumped in excitement to show me what he had discovered. It was the Scholastic DVD collection of Where the Wild Things Are and a few more picture books by Maurice Sendak.

We used to watch this DVD every day, sometimes several times a day when he was a toddler. There are some fun, catchy songs by Carole King that I downloaded several years ago onto my iPod but for some reason, the video and the music had long been forgotten.

With all the hype lately about the new film – you know which one I am referring to – I thought I’d point out that this original collection, from Scholastic, is great for younger viewers and those who enjoy sing-a-longs that won’t soon get out of your head.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

The Time Traveler’s Wife

I read The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger back in 2002, when I received an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) from the publisher. The book stayed with me long after I finished reading it. It was unlike anything I had ever read before, or since! Part science fiction, part romance, this is a story of love and longing.

I lent the ARC to my sister, if I recall correctly, and never did end up reading the final, published version of the book although I assume that little was changed. I had a difficult time explaining the storyline to others and I was thrilled when I heard that Jennifer Aniston & Brad Pitt (who were still married at that time) purchased the film rights before the book was even released. It was an immediate best seller and I nearly forgot about the project until they began filming a few years ago.

The Time Traveler’s Wife is the first book that I mention to people when they ask me to list my favorites. The film did not disappoint, although I was prepared and made sure to bring plenty of tissues. It was amazing and brought me to tears with practically every scene.

I did hear some people around me trying to figure it all out (during the film and afterward), so I do think that reading the book ahead of time left me a little more prepared for the idea of this time traveling, tear-jerker of a story. It was beautifully portrayed by Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams.

I won’t spoil the movie for those who haven’t seen it, but I do highly encourage you to read the book first. It’s an amazing adventure that will keep you turning the pages, falling in love with each of the characters and leave you wondering what your life would be like if you could travel to the past or into the future.

It left me with many questions, such as what would I tell my seventeen-year-old self if I could? What would I tell my grandchildren if I could travel into the future? Or would I just want to be there to witness and observe?

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Asking Stupid Questions

Last week, I received a free trial for the mobile service which allows users to text message the KGB Team specific questions that are in need of immediate answers.

At first, I wasn’t quite sure what types of questions I would be able to think of, but after I got the hang of it (aka, addicted to the service), I started using it at all times of the day (and night) to answer the weird and wacky questions that came to mind.

Having access to (nearly) immediate and accurate answers was fun and exciting! At times, I treated it like the magic 8-ball, attempting to have my future told to me but the answers KGB provided made me smile and completely made my day!

After a few days of using the service, I asked my son what the one question is that he would like answered. His immediate response: “Why do they say the word ‘crap’ in the Transformers movie?” Well, I knew this wasn’t a question that KGB could answer but I did find out, thanks to the KGB team, that the Transformers movie which came out last summer was rated PG-13 (and not PG like my ex-husband insisted). I was planning on having a little conversation with him about this and the appropriateness (sarcasm) of letting our five-year-old watch it….but my time is valuable and I digress.

To give you an idea about the KGB service and what they can do to help you, or entertain you, here are the list of questions and answers that I asked – and they answered.

Q: Where is the closest public parking lot to Wine Cabana in downtown San Diego?
A: We’re very sorry, but every day we get a few questions we can’t answer. This is one of them. No Charge. (Apparently, I was mistaken. Wine Cabana is not downtown so no wonder they couldn’t help me.)

Q: What is the definition and origin of the word cabana?
A: Cabana is small cabin or tentlike structure for use as bathouse, esp. on beach or by swimming pool.

Q: Which actor played Batman before Christian Bale?
A: The actor who played Batman before Christian Bale was George Clooney in 1997.

Q: What’s the name of the TV show starring Anthony Michael Hall?
A: Anthony Michael Hall starred in 2 tv shows in 2007, Final Approach and The Dead Zone. Busy guy!

Q: What is the average temperature in San Diego?
A: The average annual temperature in San Diego is 64.2F. The average temp for the month of Feb. is 58.6F.

Q: Should I move to Denver?
A: You will move when you have packed up your belongings and found a new place to live. Good luck!

Q: What is the world’s deadliest creature?
A: The world’s most deadliest creature would be the Mosquito. Some mosquito carry the disease Malaria.

Q: Why are the Academy Awards referred to as the Oscars?
A: The root of the name Oscar is contested. One biograpahy of Bette Davis claims that she named the Oscar after her first husband, band leader Harmon Oscar Nelson; one of the earliest mentions in print of the term Oscar dates back to a TIME Magazine article about the 1934 6th Academy Awards. Walt Disney is also quoted as thanking the Academy for his Oscar as early as 1932.

Q: How many iPhones were sold in 2008?
A: Apple sold 10 million iPhones in 2008, surpassing Steve Job’s original stated goal.

Q: Who was the first woman to appear topless in a mainstream American film?
A: Annette Kellermann (an Australian swimming champion) in the film A Daughter of the Gods (1916).

Q: What is the secret to a successful marriage?
A: Never assume, compliment more than you criticize, always make time for each other and try to be fair!

Q: Do men who wear a suit and tie to work have more sex than those who don’t?
A: Not necessarily. Quite a few women are attracted to the rugged outdoors look. Depends on the woman. (Apparently, KGB is slightly homophobic.)

Q: What is the most monogamous animal?
A: Zoologists now have solid evidence that monogamous pairs of animals are not always sexually exclusive.

Q: What is the most romantic city in the world?
A: Paris, France is the most romantic city in the world. It is a place that you must visit at least once!

Q: Why is the mother not present in fairy tales such as Snow White and Cinderella?
A: Original Grimm’s story actually listed Snow White’s mother as an evil, jealous mother. Disney changed!

Q: What is the easiest houseplant to take care of?
A: Devil’s Ivy, aka Pothos: This plant is hearty at a vast array of light and moisture levels.

Q: Will opened alcohol go bad?
A: Alcohol does spoil when left open. It spoils due to oxidation in the same way fruit spoils. (I immediately threw out the ABSOLUT vodka bottles leftover from New Year’s Eve…I typically don’t waste alcohol like that…)

Q: Who will win as Best Actor in the 81st Academy Awards?
A: Should Win: Heath Ledger (‘The Dark Knight‘), Will Win: Heath Ledger (They were right!)

Q: Who will win as Best Actress in the 81st Academy Awards?
A: As the show has not aired yet, but should win = Meryl Streep (Doubt), Will win = Kate Winslet (The Reader). (Interesting…)

Q: When was sushi first introduced to the US mainstream?
A: The 1980s saw an increase in health consciousness, so sushi bars have increased in the United States.

Q: How long has Sean Penn been married to Robin?
A: Sean Penn has been married to Robin Wright Penn since April 27, 1996. They have 2 children together. (Asked as Sean Penn accepted his award for his role in Milk.)

Q: How many calories per day should one have when trying to lose weight?
A: Use the formula to figure it out: women: 655 + (4.3 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) – (4.7 x age in years). (Um, what? You lost me at hello.)

Q: Should I wear red or black?
A: You can wear black all year round. It will make you look slimmer and black never goes out of style.

Q: When is Barack Obama’s birthday?
A: Barack Hussein Obama II was born on August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is currently 47 years old.

Q: Is [insert man's name] “the one?”
A: Love is the mix of intimacy, passion, and commitment. If you feel these things for [man's name] – then maybe!

Q: What size does Beyonce wear?
A: Beyonce doesn’t often share her clothing size but she auctioned two size 6 dresses for charity on Ebay.

Q: How old is Angelina Jolie?
A: Born Angelina Jolie Voight on June 4, 1975. She is 34, an actress and Goodwill Ambassador for the UN.

Q: When is the best time of year to visit Morocco?
A: Best travel time for Morocco is Sept – Oct, March and May. Worst time is July, Aug. It gets up to 104F!

Q: Who created the tooth fairy?
A: The tooth fairy tradition came from ancient folk methods of disposing of lost teeth and superstitions.

Q: How does one become a member of the KGB Team?
A: If you are 18 or older you can log onto kgbkgb.com and take the test to become a kgb Agent. Good luck!

Q: Will I have another child?
A: If you and your partner are trying to conceive you may be having a child soon. Good Luck!

Q: WWJD?
A: WWJD became a popular phrase in the 1990s as a personal motto for thousands of Christians.

Q: What is the best cure for insomnia?
A: Not medical advice. To help insomnia avoid caffeine, have a warm bath and a milky drink before bed.

Q: What is the name of the book by the lead singer of Korn?
A: The book is “Save Me from Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs & Lived to Tell My Story“

Q: What is the age difference between Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher?
A: Demi was born in 1962, Ashton was born in 1978. She is about 15 years older then [sic] him.

Q: Was Seven Pounds nominated for any awards?
A: The movie Seven Pounds, with Will Smith & Rosario Dawson, is not nominated for any Oscars this year.

Q: Has anyone been married more times than Elizabeth Taylor?
A: On Jan 4th, 2007, it was recorded that Kamarudin Mohamad had married 53 times. Elizabeth Taylor had 8.

Q: Where do hip thirty-something career women shop for clothes?
A: Chicos, Dillards, Macy’s, and J.C. Penny are a few; but it really depends on your style and body type.

Q: Where did Annette Bening attend high school?
A: Annette Bening attended Patrick Henry High. She studied drama there before wining [sic] multiple awards!

Q: Who is the youngest person to ever win an Oscar?
A: Shirley Temple won a juvenile Academy Award at age 6. Tatum O’Neal won a competitive Oscar at age 10.

Q: What is the lowest airfare from Minneapolis to Las Vegas for travel in March?
A: Depends on exact date, but a one-way ticket from Minn to Las Vegas starts at $137.21 for March 9, 2009.

Q: What is the best-selling import beer?
A: Corono Extra and Corona Light are the two most popular brands of Corona Beer. It is the #1 import in US.

Q: What’s the difference between a trademark and copyright?
A: Trademark: used to protect a word, symbol, or name. Copyright: protects original works like books.

Q: What’s the lifespan of a hummingbird?
A: In captivity, hummingbirds can survive for more than 10 years. In the wild 3 – 5 years is more likely.

Q: When does the Lunar New Year begin and what animal represents 2009?
A: The lunar new year began on Monday, January 26, 2009. This year is the year of the ox.

Q: What is the Transformer movie rated?
A: “Transformers: Revenge of th Fallen” opens in theaters on June 24, 2009 and is not yet rated.

Q: What was the last Transformer movie rated?
A: The most recent Transformer movie is rated: PG-13.

Q: What’s the best remedy for adult acne?
A: Not medical advice: For home treatment for acne, apply an oatmeal mask at least once or twice a week.

Q: What’s a good dog breed to introduce to children?
A: American bulldog, American foxhound, American mastiff, American pit bull terrier…

Q: How long does pink eye usually last?
A: Not medical advice. Pinkeye needs to be treated by a dr, if it hasn’t improved in 2 – 3 days tell them.

Q: What does KGB stand for?
A: kgb: Knowledge Generation Bureau. We can answer most anyting. Text us again & let us show you!

Q: What were the most popular baby names last year?
A: The most popular baby girl’s name for ’08 was Emma. Aiden took the top spot for a boy’s name.

Q: What were the most popular baby names of 1979?
A: In 1979, the most popular names were Michael & Jennifer, followed closely by Christopher & Melissa.

Q: What were the most popular baby names of 1989?
A: Michael & Jessica headed the name charts in 1989, followed by Christopher, Ashley, Matthew & Brittany.

Q: What were the most popular baby names of 1969?
A: In ’69, Michael & Lisa were the most popular baby names followed by David & James, Michelle & Jennifer

Q: What were the most popular baby names of 1999?
A: In 1999 the most popular girl’s name was Emily. The most popular boy’s name was Jacob.

Q: Who are the seven arc angels?
A: Traditionally the 7 arch angels re Uriel Raphael Raguel Sariel Gabriel Remiel & Michael. This may vary.

Q: When did pink and blue first start representing the gender of newborn babies?
A: History is not clear but before 1940, the opposite was true: blue was for girls, pink was for boys.

Q: What is the tallest point in the 48 states?
A: The highest mountain in the 48 contiguous U.S. is Mt. Whitney, California at 14,494 feet/4418 meters.

OK, so now you see the many lame and sometimes very personal questions that came up during the last few days and how KGB answered them so gracefully and professionally.

I love this service. It was fun, convenient and provided accurate information in just a few minutes. I highly recommend this one to anyone looking for ways to prove who’s right in an argument, stats for sports teams or players, or interesting facts to help start a conversation with that cute guy or gal in line at Starbucks.

To send a message to the KGB team, simply text to 542542 (kgbkgb) with your first question to get started. You will be charged 99 cents for each answer.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Brendan Fraser in Inkheart

School Library Journal praises Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, which is now being released on the big screen, featuring Brendan Fraser. This fantasy adventure involves Meggie, a young girl and her father who enjoy reading together and escaping into books. Meggie discovers, however, that her father can “read” characters out of books and real people can disappear inside the pages as well. Excitement and intrigue follow when she learns just who has been capture by the story and what villains have escaped.

Inkheart comes to theaters on January 23rd, but I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of the book before you see it. Just like Harry Potter films capture the story with great images and enhance the reading experience, I have a feeling that Inkheart will provide the same effect.

Enjoy this trailer for the upcoming release:

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

The Other Woman

There are two types of women in the following scenario. Those who have been cheated on by a man and those who are the other woman. I have little respect for both of them if they are aware of the man’s behavior. Continuing a relationship based on lies and deceit is not healthy. I encourage any woman who is involved with a cheating man to move on. She deserves the chance to find a true relationship built on honesty, devotion and mutual values.

I follow Lena Chen at many of the social sites she is a part of. I first learned about her through Twitter and immediately grew fond of her graphically detailed, and honest commentary about her sex life over at her blog Sex & the Ivy. As a Harvard graduate, Chen is educated and well aware of the reputation she has built for herself. What I admire most about her is her openness and her ability to express herself without concern as to who she may offend with her language or the details that she shares.

I was pleased to also discover her at The Frisky, one of my favorite sex blogs. The other day she wrote about her experience as the other woman and how she went about revealing her relationship to the women that were committed to the man involved.

While I don’t always agree with her or relate to many of her experiences, I do think that what she has to say in this particular article serves to empower women everywhere to raise the standards that they expect from the men in their lives.

The Women is a new movie produced by Mick Jagger and Diane English, who also directs the women-only cast. Diane is also the screenwriter of this story of Mary Haines, a woman who is forced to deal with the wide range of emotions experienced from the most ultimate betrayal: that of her cheating husband followed by an even more astounding deception from her close, female friend.

Without a single man in this all-star cast, The Women is bound to be the ultimate chick flick. Betrayal of any kind is a powerful thing and changes a person’s life one way or the other. Having women in my life that I rely on to keep my most intimate secrets and desires, I would have to argue that being betrayed by one of them would kill me in a more devastating way than a cheating man ever could.

Featuring Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes, Jada Pinkett Smith, Annette Bening, Bette Midler, Cloris Leachman and Debra Messing, the gossip and buzz surrounding this dramedy should be enough incentive for women everywhere to be the first ones to see it for themselves.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home