A Passion for the Pen, Greensburg

My husband has many tattoos, and each one has a particular meaning to him. The most special for him, and for me, are the tattoos we got for our son. Having a baby was the push I needed to permanently mark myself, and for what better reason than to celebrate something as precious and amazing as a baby.

I got my son’s initials on my wrist and I look at it everyday. It’s a remembrance of his birth, a reminder of the struggle we went through with my hospital stay and his prematurity, it’s a gift to him to show that he’s forever a part of me and nothing could ever change that, and it’s a statement of love.

Although sometimes, I feel like I’m being judged for that tattoo. Read more...

Tara Darazio is a freelance writer, social media strategist, wife, and mom to a vibrant little boy. She has a BA in Advertising and Public Relations and a BA in Mass Communication from Point Park University.

Two Pittsburgh bloggers thoughtfully wrestle with the question of whether their kids are overscheduled or underscheduled: 

Blogger: Laughing Through Motherhood, South Hills

"There is something comforting to me about being on the go. I have both kids signed up for a crapload of activities. Part of it is me, wanting to be able to take advantage of every opportunity available, the other part is... Well, I guess I don't know." Read more...

Blogger: Pittsburgh Mom

"I've been thinking a lot lately about what the right amount of scheduling is for kids. It seems like nearly every child that is in the same grade as my kids seems to be involved in so many more activities than we are.  If I lived in a vacuum I'd think that we were just right.  My kids don't ask to do more, and often complain if they are involved in sports that require a lot of time. But then I look around and see how much more other kids are doing and I feel like maybe I'm doing the wrong thing." Read more...

Melinda Wedde, of Laughing Through Motherhood, has previously been featured on PlayGround for her son's Angry Birds birthday party. Heather Starr Fielder is the mom to two young boys, Matthew and Benjamin, a college professor and General Manager of PittsburghMom.

Blogger: askdoctorG, Squirrel Hill

A few weeks ago I had the honor of interviewing some major gaming experts to get some guidance about what games I should let my kids play, and how often. I learned some amazing facts about video gaming, and the good it can do our kids.

But the experts are clear about the dangers games can pose to our kids. Aggression, desensitization, isolation, fear. Certain games increase the rates of all of these in kids and adults. So what should we keep in mind?

Read more...

Deborah Gilboa, also known as Dr. G, is a board certified family physician, mother of four boys, and a professional parenting speaker. She blogs at askdoctorG.com.

Blogger: Burgh Baby, South Hills

"Momma, do you know about Bloody Mary?" the still very much so six-year old asked from the back seat.

"Umm ... " I started. How do you answer THAT? I chose my words carefully so as to not lead the witness down an unnecessary path. "Why?" I asked. It's the safest non-answer to every question. I use it often.

Alexis replied, "Because me and my friend saw her today." Alexis couldn't see my silently mouthed response, but if she had, she probably would have learned a new word. Or ten.

Read more...

Burgh Baby has also been featured on PlayGround for her posts about the equal-opportunity holiday of Halloween, strawberry-monster cupcakes and rolled tacos.