So, my big guy is in Kindergarten. Now, this is obviously my first experience in 'real' public school - so I did what many virgin moms within the public school system do, attend that first PTA meeting back in September. I'm sitting there listening to this year's committee and seeing the seriousness of it all. I start to look around thinking to myself - am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous? Don't get me wrong...I understand the importance of parental involvement in the school system and I do not minimize the work that goes into it, but there is no reason that it needs to all be this serious. The voting is what pushed me over the edge. We had to vote in favor or opposition of the newly appointed treasurer. "All in favor...say I". Everyone (including me said I) no one said 'ney'. Who would say 'ney'. Why would you say 'ney'. Geez. It was all too silly for me.

Then it comes time to start divvying up the committee chairs for the upcoming year. I tried. I really did try to hide. It simply didn't work. The piranha's got me.

"Stacey Smith, don't you run a magazine?"

Me: "Um, yes."

PTA Pres: "Well then wouldn't you do wonders with our school Newsletter! Why don't you take that and run with it."

Me: "Sure."

She's back and we've got her -- in the latest episode of Laura Bennett: Case Clothed! This month, Laura Bennett (our favorite Project Runway alum) tackles that age-old question: how does one choose that perfect, do-it-all handbag? (You know, the one that should replace the shopping bag / baby bag / gym bag you've been carrying around forever).  It's Fashion Week here in New York, so we've got style on our minds. Laura knows how to keep it practical and make it fun. Check out The Case of the Troublesome Tote (and send Laura questions about any troublesome fashion dilemmas of your own).   

Sure, we love the family vacation. And in recent years, babymoons have become de rigueur. But familymoons? Conceptionmoons? Procreation vacations? Yep -- they're all there for the taking!
When you're trying to conceive, you can de-stress with a conceptionmoon. Before you give birth, enjoy those last few quiet weeks together on a babymoon. Whether you're learning to breastfeed, or adjusting to your newborn or even your newly-blended family (that's the familymoon), there's a getaway package to get things going. I'm all about daily indulgences, but when I read this piece about the many pampering possibilities out there, I couldn't decide which ones had the most appeal. 

Which getaway would you choose?

• I need a conceptionmoon.
• I'd love a babymoon.
• I'll take a familymoon.

I can't live without my weekly dose of Project Runway, so you can imagine how excited I was the day Laura Bennett came to visit the iVillage offices. She's a modern mom juggling marriage, six kids and an incredible career as a fashion designer. We just had to find out how she does it all -- and we had to share her secrets with you. So each month, Laura will apppear in Laura Bennett: Case Clothed, as a colorful crusader for all style-conscious moms. She's on hand every month (and just in time for those holiday parties) to help you turn your fashion basics into a fashion statement. Read the comic strip (illustrated by another Project Runway alum, Robert Best!) --- and send your style dilemmas to Laura! This month, enjoy "The Case of the Party Primping Predicament."

When I heard about the study that suggests students who have "C" or "D" as an initial have lower GPAs than students who have "A" or "B" as an initial, well, I just had to disagree -- and send a shout-out to all of the sensational C's and divine D's out there.

What do you think -- do initials dictate destiny?

--Diane

My parents, who spend much of their active retirement researching our family genealogy, always take some time during our Thanksgiving gatherings to present their latest family-tree findings. Thanks to their travels, their curiosity about the past and their genealogy software, we leave our dinner with ancestor charts, old photos and new stories to share about the latest historical branches on the Jones/Cain family tree.

So when I heard about Freedom's Feast, I could relate. Incorporating some history -- whether it's your family's or your country's -- into your holiday celebration, has its benefits. The elders talk about the past, the young ones absorb it all, and you're left with a rich family experience. If you need some help this year, Freedom's Feast, an activity program founded by a mom and designed for the dinner table, with fun historical facts, songs and more, will help you organize and give meaning to your gathering.

Leave a comment and let me know how you plan to celebrate -- and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Were you the kid who loved books so much that she just couldn't go to sleep without finishing "one more chapter pleeease, Mom?" Did you ever savor those last few pages of a great novel in your own little reading room -- under the covers with a flashlight? Well, it seems that fewer and fewer kids are like you were... and it's showing in the test scores.

A new study from the National Endowment for the Arts reveals that the percentage of young people who read for fun is on the decline. And so are reading test scores. But children and teenagers who read for pleasure on a daily or weekly basis score better on reading tests than infrequent readers.

Computer games, the Internet and television can take some of the blame for the decline in pleasure reading. But every mom who ever read by flashlight knows there's nothing quite like a great book. So, leave a comment and tell me: What do you do to encourage pleasure reading at home? (And don't miss James Patterson's take on a topic close to his heart!)

My kid reads for fun because...

• I insist on it.
• Her school sets aside time for pleasure reading.
• She adores books.

This week is Children's Book Week, and we can't think of a better way to celebrate than by introducing our newest iVillage blogger. Best-selling author James Patterson is here to share his passion for reading and his tips for parents who want to develop that passion in their kids. Check out The Fine Art of Pageturning -- and leave your comments for James.

And be sure to celebrate Children's Book Week at home by trying a suggestion or two from The Children's Book Council:
•At dinner, encourage each family member to describe their favorite book.
•Take a family trip to the library or bookstore, and pick out a few new books to bring home.
•Work with your child and friends to develop a play based on a scene from their favorite book. Invite everyone over to watch the production!
•Write a story based on favorite book characters. Work together as a family to develop plot ideas.
•After dinner, instead of watching TV, read aloud to each other.

Happy reading!

When Paula Radcliffe won the New York City marathon last Sunday, after training throughout her pregnancy, the issue of exercising while pregnant quickly became the topic du jour. Moms across America were amazed to learn that Radcliffe was even running the day before she went into labor!

Radcliffe is a world-record holder and a multiple-marathon winner, so she can probably do a lot of things most of us wouldn't dream of. But the jury is out on whether or not exercise is advisable for the average (non-professional athlete) mom-to-be. Some docs say those who are used to exercising can continue into early pregnancy; others are totally against it. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises: If you were a runner before you became pregnant, you often can keep running during pregnancy although you may have to modify your routine. Talk to your doctor about whether running during pregnancy is safe for you.

If you're pregnant and you've never been much of an exerciser, now is probably not the time to go hardcore -- but it is a great opportunity to start taking care of yourself. And here's a fun way to do it: take a look at the Fit & Fab 40 Weeks Calendar -- designed to ease you into building up your strength and pampering your body with fitness strategies, spa secrets, healthy eats, yoga tips and more.

Would you exercise hard while pregnant?

• I'd maintain my usual routine.
• I'd cut back on all exercise.
• Exercise? Not now. Not ever.

We've become so accustomed to toy recalls these days, you'd think nothing would surprise us. Guess again.

Scientists found that the Chinese-made craft toy, called AquaDots in the U.S., contains a chemical that converts to the "date-rape drug" GHB when ingested. The toy has just been recalled.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, children who swallow the beads can become comatose, develop respiratory depression, or have seizures. Two children in the U.S. and three children in Australia have been hospitalized after ingesting the toy parts.

We already know that TV is not recommended for children under two. But if that recommendation isn't good enough for you, here's something else to consider: new research indicates that tots under three who are watching TV might develop attention problems in the future. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington found that each hour of violent television viewed by both boys and girls under age three doubled their risk of attention problems five years later. And even non-violent shows, like Rugrats, might contribute to the problem.

The researchers also found that violent television viewing by boys during the preschool years can lead to aggressive, antisocial behavior when they reach school age. Girls, for some reason, aren't affected in the same way.

Some reports suggest that the under-three set is most affected because their brains are at such an important development stage. So what's a mom to do? If moderation is your goal, start by determining if your kids are watching too much TV. Set new guidelines for your family. Get the just-for-parents perspective with reviews and ratings for the television shows on the air today. Meet a mom who raised her kids in a TV-free home. Talk to other parents who are trying to limit their children's TV time. And take a look at 365 family activities that will capture your child's attention.

Have you limited your child's TV viewing?

• Yes -- but now he's glued to the computer.
• Yes -- and now he spends that time doing more productive things.
• No. I let him regulate his own viewing.

Yesterday, moms ruled at the ING New York City Marathon!

It was exhilirating to watch my fellow New Yorkers cheer as Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain crossed the finish line first -- just nine months after giving birth to her first child.

Paula, the world-record holder, also won the New York Marathon in 2004. Of the eight marathons she's entered, she's won seven. And last year, she trained throughout her entire pregnancy.

Twenty-three seconds after Paula crossed the finish line came Gete Wami of Ethiopia, mom of a 4-year-old, who had run alongside Paula from the beginning. With this silver-medal finish, Gete became the World Marathon Majors Champion.

While Paula and Gete were the gold and silver medalists, they weren't the only stars out there. Phenomenal women crossed the finish line all day long, and their stories make us all proud.

Good news! A new Census Bureau study indicates that parents are taking a more active role in their kids' lives than they did ten years ago. The study found that more kids have restrictions on what they watch on TV these days and more children are taking extra-curricular lessons. Is this true in your family?

I'm still not over the thrill of my little TV appearance, so I just had to share my favorite souvenir. Here's a shot of me, Kim Coles and Bill Rancic, the hosts of In The Loop with iVillage.

I've been a Kim fan since she starred on Living Single and I've been a Bill fan since season one of The Apprentice, so it was a joy to meet them and pretty fascinating to watch them do their jobs!

Yesterday, in keeping with the Halloween spirit, I did something scary.

I went on live TV -- to talk about Halloween! I've never done a TV appearance before, and I went armed with all sorts of factoids, stats and anecdotes about last-minute costumes and Halloween safety and trick-or-treat tips. In the end, I learned that I didn't have to worry so much about telling the audience everything, because the segment turned into a rollicking good time with the help of hilarious host Kim Coles and a few adorable kids.

Kim went out of her way to make me feel welcome and comfortable -- and to keep the audience roaring with laughter as we introduced princesses, pirates (and a few brave adults!) all decked out for the holiday. Take a look!

Halloween's a week away, and it's entirely probable that you've got costumes on the brain right now. Since the baby years are probably the only chance you'll get to exert total control over your child's choices, enjoy those cute costume options while you can. Once your kid has ideas of his own, you might have some negotiating to do.
What costume did you buy or make this year? (One out of every five moms makes a costume.) Did your child's costume choice make you cringe? Did you have to invoke a parental veto this Halloween?
If you did, you're not alone. We found that 51% of parents let their children choose their own costumes -- but the parents ultimately have the final say. Six out of 10 parents say there are costumes they wouldn't let their children wear. And only one parent in 10 would allow their daughter to dress up as Britney Spears or Paris Hilton. Let's all be grateful to the other nine...

Who Chose Your Kid's Costume this Year?

• I did. He'll look so cute in the costume I picked out!
• My kids and I compromised. That way, everyone is happy.
• My child chose. She decided on an idea months ago!
• What costume? I'll pick a few of those up this weekend.

Get Your Guide to a Ghoulish Halloween

Guest entry from Jennie Baird, Editor-in-Chief, iVillage.

"Imagine being destitute, orphaned and abandoned in a strange country at the age of seven and spending the next eight years of your life in foster care moving from home to home. When you’re finally adopted at age 15, what do you do?

On Thursday evening, I met a young Ethopian-born woman named Abazash, and this is her story. As a young adult adopted by an American family, she traveled back to Ethiopia and reconnected with a young cousin, a 12-year-old, HIV-positive orphan. The system in Ethiopia could provide nothing for this boy, with his age and HIV status two strikes against him.

Abezash made it her goal to find her cousin a home. She wound up renting a house and creating a home for her cousin and 17 other truly needy children. They live in a family-style environment in this home, attend school and receive medical care and support. The home is fully supported by the organization Abezash founded, Artists for Charity, which raises money primarily through the sale of artwork by its members. (In addition to supporting the home, Artists for Charity also conducts HIV/AIDS awareness and education programs.)

When it comes to baby products, sometimes there's a fine line between functional and fussy, between fabulous and frivolous, between "How did I ever live without this?" and "What were they thinking?"
When this list of ridiculous products for babies circulated around the office, it elicited hoots from everybody, male and female, parents or not. Take a look -- and let's add to the list...
Some items that cross my desk just seem like more trouble than they're worth. When I saw this highchair food catcher, I didn't know what to make of it. Would I rather wipe baby's dinner droppings off of the floor or scrape them out of this bag? I'm sure it's a matter of personal preference but... well, what do you think?
And have you seen crazy products that you just, uh, can live without? Tell me about 'em. Drop it in a comment!

Ever wonder why some moms just seem more maternal than others? Well, it looks like there may be a scientific reason for it. New research indicates that women who have higher levels of the hormone oxytocin in their systems during pregnancy, bonded more intensely with their babies after birth. They gazed, touched and spoke to their newborns with a really high level of attachment.
Until this study, only animals have proven how the hormone works, but now humans have confirmed why oxytocin has been called the hormone of "love and bonding"!

When New York City's experimental cash rewards program was introduced, everyone was talking about the pros and cons of paying parents to do their jobs -- taking the kids to the dentist, attending parent/teacher conferences and more.

Well, what about paying kids to get good grades?

This week, we decided to ask people on the street how they feel about it. Watch the video, take the poll below, and leave a comment!

Just last week, parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba told us about four risky teen activities that have become frighteningly popular. And just days ago, another child died from one of them. He was engaged in an activity that even his father, an emergency medical technician, had never heard of -- the Choking Game. Make sure you're up to speed on the latest deadly trend, including the signs to look for and what you can do to stop it.

In Japan, where single motherhood is rare, a 60-year-old unmarried woman has recently become pregnant via in-vitro fertilization. She came to the U.S. for the procedure, and is now believed to be the oldest single mother in Japan to give birth from a donated egg.
Due to her age, marital status and the potential risk involved, she had trouble finding an obstetrician willing to take her case.

File this one under "If only life were like this..."

Mattel's new Fashion Fever Shopping Boutique offers every little girl the chance to shop 'til she drops by mixing and matching clothing and accessories -- and then paying for them with a "credit card." Unlike all the credit cards we've ever seen, and all the credit cards our little girls will encounter in the years to come, the limit on this oh-so-miraculous piece of plastic resets once it hits $0.

"I love shopping," exclaims the super-excited tween in the commercial. "You never run out of money!"

If only...

Did you know... that researchers at the University of Pennsylvania studied dogs who bite kids and found that children under 6 were more likely to be bitten when dogs felt their dog food or dog toys were under threat? Older children, however, were more likely to be bitten by dogs who felt their territory had been threatened in some way.

October is International Walk to School Month, and when I saw this recent footage of kids flying through the air after a schoolbus collision, I realized that the benefits of walking can go way beyond exercise. In fact, moms around the country have begun Walking School Bus programs in which parents volunteer to lead groups of children to and from school following safe, prescribed routes. It's a workout, a bonding opportunity, an interesting way to explore the community -- and it's environmentally friendly.

Are the latest "no PDA" policies getting out of hand? Or are they a necessity at a time when sexual harrassment and hormones may run wild? Some schools are now banning hugging, hand holding and all other forms of PDA. Others have banned "extreme hugging" (picture groups of girls exchanging hugs every time they meet). When I see the teen hug trend in action, I'm amazed. It's the equivalent of exchanging "high fives," it's always friendly and when I see it on the street, it's hard to paint it as objectionable social behavior. But is there a point when it just becomes too much? Or not? Leave a comment!

All around the country, moms are adjusting to newly emptied nests. Last week, Meredith Vieira spoke to her son, happily settled in on campus, and she shared her feelings about sending her "baby to college" here. Speaking of babies at college, I've been interested in the story of 15-year-old University of Pennsylvania student Brittney Exline, the youngest black female ever admitted to an Ivy League institution. She graduated from public high school in Colorado Springs last year, and a summer spent taking courses at Harvard helped her parents determine that she was ready to leave home. It's a tough choice for a family to make. I started college at 16, a few months older than Brittney, but quite certain that I wanted to stay close to home.

The dean at her school sited her motivation, discipline and maturity as deciding factors in the decision to admit Brittney. But a new study published by Psychological Science suggests that some motivated kids might be on a perilous course.

When it comes to family travel, we haven't been at a loss for words, whether we're talking about road-trip survival tips and family travel must-haves, or the controversies over toddler travel tantrums and the clothing passengers wear.

Well, here's the latest: The Transportation Security Administration just announced that they’ll start screening passengers carrying remote control toys onto airplanes, because toys can be used to initiate devices used in terrorist attacks. So, if you're already crying with frustration because you have to take off your shoes and relinquish your water bottles, wait until all the kids on line with you start wailing too.

Speaking of travel, in our never-ending quest to get from here to there in safety, comfort and style, yet another debate-worthy topic has bubbled to the surface.

This just in: Britney Spears has lost physical custody of her kids. An L.A. judge issued an order that Kevin Federline gets Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James,1, on Wednesday -- until further notice. Her two years of motherhood have been defined by one meltdown after another, topped off with an ugly custody battle. Do you approve of the judge's order? Leave a comment!

Parenting is political. Parenting is entertainment. And whether the mom is Hillary or Britney, parents make news. And the news affects parents. Here at The Daily Mom, I'll join some witty and wise women with a lot on their minds, to bring you a daily dose of news and observation. I’ll keep an eye on issues big and small. I'll keep you posted on the stuff that comes my way as Senior Producer of the Pregnancy & Parenting channel at iVillage -- the quirky announcements, the interesting products, the newsy tidbits. I'll make sure you’re the first to know about the latest goodies on our site. And, whenever you've got something to say, jump in and say it. And if you've got a topic you think we should be talking about, feel free to drop it in a comment. Since there's not much out there that doesn't affect our kids, we'll have a lot to talk about!

Facebook has taken down pictures of lactating mamas on the grounds that it's "obscene content". They claim that photos containing a fully exposed breast violate their rules. The debate rages on amongst the breastfeeding women in our message board community. I've seen some of the banned breastfeeding pictures, and all I can say is that if you search for "breast" on Facebook now, you'll find a whole lot of non-lactating breasts that didn't get banned -- and offer an awful lot of exposure.

It may not come as a total surprise, but it's something to keep in mind: overweight moms may lead to overweight kids. A new study found that children with overweight or obese moms had more body fat than children with mothers of normal weight. Is it genetic? Is it lifestyle? Does it begin in pregnancy? Researchers aren't sure, but it’s something to think about when you sit down in celebration of National Eat Dinner Together Week. That's right -- it's such a rarity, it needs to be acknowledged on the calendar (9/16-9/22).

These days there are so many "holidays" on the calendar that it's hard to get excited about some of those wacky and obscure commemorations. But every once in awhile, nestled in there between National Chocolate Milkshake Day (9/12) and National Comic Book Day (9/25), there's a day worth noting. Sunday, September 16 acknowledges a big group that deserves a little recognition. It's Working Parents Day -- yes, you heard right -- and a shout-out is definitely in order for the over 52 million moms and dads who are bringing home the bacon every day in the U.S.