More Than Just a Game

With all the bad press about violent video games, it's understandable that some parents are taking a serious look at their child's entertainment choices. The good news is that there are high-quality software programs that not only entertain but also enhance learning skills.
Children first learn and explore through play, so why not harness that natural instinct and use it to build reading, math and critical thinking skills? This weekend we talk with Hannah Keely, a homeschooling mom of seven(GULP)who gives us her take on learning through play using the best edutainment software games.
A personal favorite of ours is the Jumpstart World series. That's why we are excited to announce a special promotion for Family Matters' listeners - just click here for $5.00 off of the featured Jumpstart World games. You may want to snag yours before the holiday rush!

Girlfriends Rock

As women who juggle work, family and the stress of everyday life, we are so grateful for our girlfriends. They listen to us whine without judgement, they support our crazy ideas and they totally get our secret obsessions. When we launched Family Matters Radio ten years ago, it was based on conversations among girlfriends.
Back in the day, email was barely a form of communication and blogs were not even on the scope of imagination. So it was out of our desire to share news, inspirational stories and positive solutions to overcome challenges that we created a talk radio program. So much has changed in those ten years but what hasn't changed is that women are still finding ways to reach out and support each other in every endeavour. We are fortunate because we can share these stories with our listeners. This weekend is no exception as we talk with Amy DuBois Barnett, Deputy Editor in Chief of Harper’s Bazaar and first-time author of Get Yours! The Girlfriends’ Guide to Having Everything You Ever Dreamed of and More. You'll want to tune in to hear her GO FOR IT! advice. Why not share it with your girlfriend too? She may need to hear that you are just a call or an email away.

Did You Hear Me?

A Mom's Day in 2 Minutes | Funny Jokes at JibJab

A common complaint we often hear about from our listeners is that their kids just won't listen to them. It seems to be a major parenting peril we all deal with no matter how young or old our children happen to be at the time - yours truly included. According to our guest this weekend the kids may not be the problem.
Lynn Griffin author of Negotiation Generation:Take Back Your Parental Authority Without Punishment, thinks that source of kids who seemed tuned out to may in fact be the parents who have surrendered their control. This show could be life-changing. At the very least, it will challenge every parent's perspective on a modern day child raising. For a lighter take on the subject, check out the above video. It's worth a view when you think parenting may have caused you to lose your voice.

Pretty in Pink

You may have noticed that your world has turned more pink in the last week or so. October is breast cancer awareness month and as always we're honored to do our part by wearing our pink ribbon and choosing products that are donating to the cause. Beyond fundraising and awareness, we also strive to provide information for women about ways to improve overall well-being and help reduce breast cancer risk.

This weekend we'll feature one of our favorite guests, researcher and best-selling author Dr. Edward Conley. He reveals secrets that women need to know to help them make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle. Dr. Conley's research includes which supplements, natural foods and antioxidants protect your breast from damage. Warning: You may never look at a brownie or a burger the same way.

How can you help?

You can join women across the country on a 31-city virtual walk across the United States to benefit breast cancer via your computer, an avatar and a $3 donation.

Participants included home design guru Martha Stewart, British actress Lynn Redgrave, actress Mena Suvari and Jorja Fox of the "CSI" television show in what organizers said was the world's first interactive virtual walk.

The "Gal to Gal Virtual Walk" is the brainchild of Oregon entrepreneur Jeanne Fitzmaurice who created a foundation in 2005 to raise money for patients in the final stage of breast cancer after two close friends died of the disease.

Supporters design their own Gal avatar for a $3 donation, add clothes and accessories and a personal story and then watch themselves walk from Boston to San Francisco against a changing daily landscape.

Fitzmaurice said the idea was to help busy women, no matter what their physical condition, lend their help in a fun, creative way during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Help them reach their goal of one million walkers by joining today. Plus, can you think of a better way to get a new outfit? It may be virtual, but at least everything will fit!

Time to Meet the Teacher

It's October. Time to celebrate the season with pumpkins, homecomings and
for many parents it also means a visit to their child's school for the first parent-teacher conference. Whether you are excited or dreading that meeting, you may want to do some homework in advance to insure you are an informed advocate for your child.

We're here to help. Coming up on the show this weekend is Dr. Adam Cox, he'll tell us about a new awareness on the frustration bright children feel when they are unsuccessful at school. Lack of organization, inability to complete assignments or poor study habits are symptoms of this issue. Tune in this weekend to hear real solutions to help your child succeed.

Just posted is our podcast with Dr. Kathy Koch on how parents and teachers can determine a child's "smarts" in order to help meet their educational needs as well as address behavior issues and boost their achievements.

Or, you could just bribe the teacher and hope for the best.