Moms in Massachusetts can put away their measuring cups and mixing bowls because they won't be up all night making cupcakes for the school bake sale anymore. As the Boston Herald reports, starting August 1, bake sales, candy bar and pizza fundraisers will officially be banned from public schools. In an effort to combat childhood obesity, lawmakers are taking a hard line on selling highly-caloric treats at school functions. Right now, the law will just restrict daytime activities, but there is a push to extend it to banning junk food sales at everything from football games to door-to-door candy sales. While some parents are undoubtedly relieved to retire their aprons, others aren't so happy about the ban. Many parents and PTOs are worried that it will be hard to raise money for clubs and sports once the ban goes into place. As one mom said, “The goal is to raise money. You’re going to be able to sell pizza. You’re not going to get that selling apples and bananas. It’s silly.” Do you think this ban is a healthy move for kids or will it ultimately wind up hurting sports teams and clubs?
Limos out, rickshaws in at prom this year
Prom is all about style. Once you've got the dress and the hair locked down, you need to make sure you arrive in style. Back in the 90's, limos were all the rage. In the 2000's, stretch Hummers were the ride of choice. But teens today are getting way more creative when it comes to their prom rides. As the Wall Street Journal reports, the trend towards wackier prom transportation is growing and kids are renting everything from fire trucks to rickshaws to get themselves to the dance. The owner of a company that rents World War II military vehicles, says he gets dozens of calls a year from teens, asking to rent tanks for the prom. Most kids back out once they hear that the tanks can't be driven on public roads and cost a small fortune to rent, but they're definitely thinking outside the 'ol box. Racine, Wis., which hosts a city-wide big prom party, has a tradition of wacky rides, including one couple showing up atop a baby elephant one year. Last year, organizers of Racine's big prom, had to tell kids they couldn't take a helicopter to the dance, as there wasn't a landing pad on site. Elsewhere, groups of kids rent out double-decker party buses, complete with dance floors and non-alcoholic bars. A group of economical and environmentally-friendly kids in Oregon banded together and rented out a school bus for the big night, at a frugal $7.00 per person.
A tanorexic mom action figure doll -- really?!
Questionable parenting will get you on TV and maybe even get you your own action figure. In case you haven't heard, Tanorexic Mom now has her own action figure -- although we're not exactly sure what sort of actions a tanorexic would do... Maybe the doll rotates, rotisserie-style to ensure even tanning? The uber-tan mom is accused of putting her five-year-old daughter in a tanning bed long enough to get burned. But, mama says her little girl got burned from being outside without the proper protection. As NBC10 Philadelphia reports, the makers of the doll are charging $30 for the scary, little likeness. Aye-aye-aye...
Before kids, we were awesome moms. After kids, well, now we're okay with the five-second rule
Before we have kids, we know exactly the kind of moms we'll be -- good ones. Expecting our first child, we might even rub our belly smugly as we watch another mom yelling at her kids. We'll think to ourselves, "I would never do that. I would get down on that kid's level and speak in a calm, authoritative voice. Yup, I'm going to be a good mom." Fast-forward a few years and chances are, we'll have yelled at our kid at least a few times. We might even feel guilty for having judged that mom so long ago. In a funny and relatable post over at Blisstree, one mom fesses up to doing some of the things she swore she'd never do. Pre-kids, she swore fast food would never pass their lips. Post-kids, it's pretty much a weekly dining option. Before kids, she swore she'd never let herself go and would still be hip and coiffed, now there are days when doing her hair means wearing a baseball cap and sometimes never even gets out of her pajamas. Before kids, she imagined herself allotting her kids one 30-minute show a day (on PBS, of course). Now? Eh, forget it... What did your pre-mom self swear you'd never do that you now do all of the time?
Mother's Day decidedly less awesome for stepmoms
Stepmom has to be one of the hardest and least-appreciated jobs on the planet. That lack of appreciation makes Mother's Day one of the hardest day of the year for many stepmoms, especially those who don't have their own, biological kids. Although so many Americans have bonus moms, it seems that, on Mother's Day, few people think to recognize them for all of their hard work and love. Even when the relationship between the steps is good, that extra mom often gets overlooked on the big day. As the Huffington Post reports, teachers in schools and churches often work with kids to make a special card for mothers, but forget about the stepmothers. One kid even apologized to his stepmom, explaining that he couldn't find a special, stepmom card at the store. Plus, chances are, stepmoms are left on their own for the holiday, as kids spend the day with mom. Aside from just overlooking their stepmom on Mother's Day, many kids struggle with feelings of guilt and loyalty towards their mom if they acknowledge their other mom on that day.
Dana Macario is a TODAY Moms contributor and Seattle mom to two sleep-depriving toddlers. Once properly caffeinated, she also blogs at www.18years2life.com.