Parental Guidance – we can all relate

Billy Crystal and Bette Midler have never before been in a movie together. Can you believe it? Well now they are finally together in a film for all ages, Parental Guidance. Billy Crystal conceived the idea for the movie after spending some time with his own grandchildren. His daughter gave him a laundry list of rules about what they kids can eat, how to discipline them and special terminology to be used when speaking to them. This zaniness makes it into the film, along with many other “modern parenting” styles that so many of us are prone to when raising our children.

The hilarious film also features Marissa Tomei and Tom Everett Scott as the parents of three busy children. One day they realize that they have not had a vacation alone since their youngest was born five years ago. They decide to enlist Tomei’s parents, who live in another state, to fly in and watch the kids for a week, while the parents attend a business trip for Scott.

The chemistry between Midler and Crystal is remarkable and leaves everyone wondering why they haven’t made a film before. There is also a musical number, which surprisingly, Midler was initially against doing because she felt it did not fit the feel of the movie. During a recent interview my husband attended, she explained that only after Billy Crystal and the director convinced her of a place in the film where it did seem a natural fit, did she agree to do it. This required the creation of an impromptu musical studio being created onsite to the make the scene happen. It’s a show stopper!

A pivotal scene is when Billy Crystal’s character attends his grandson’s baseball game, only to learn that they do not keep score and every game ends in a tie. Anyone who’s had their child in at least T-ball understands this concept and that nowadays, this is standard. Much like in the movie, Crystal says that in real life, he does not feel this is fair. “Life is a competition,” he said and the children we are raising should be aware of this. This is one of the main things he wants parents to take from this film.

Parental Guidance is rated PG and opens Christmas Day.

Snow Play Day at Pretend City

Looking for something fun and festive to do this Friday? Have a couple of kiddos that are starting to get antsy during the holiday break? If your kiddos love snow and really what kiddo doesn’t love playing in the fluffy white stuff, make sure to take them Friday to Pretend City for a snow play day.

Pretend City’s forecast for Friday appears to be very snowy. The museum will turn into a winter wonderland. There will be falling snow, experimenting with snow footprints, building snow forts, creating snow angels, and making snowballs. (Guests will be provided with specific time slots for children based on age. Only a certain amount of children will be permitted into the snow play area at once based on the discretion of Pretend City staff)

Snow Play Day will be included with Museum admission and will take place between 10am to 3pm. Make sure to get there either early in the day or later in the afternoon. Mid-day tends to be the busiest.

For additional info head here.

Tips for Living with Chronic #Pain #Spon

I often joke with my husband and my friends that I know I’m getting old, because I can usually tell when it will rain because my body starts to ache. It can be a little funny sometimes but most of the time it really isn’t. I’ve suffered from lower back pain for a few years now and although I love winter, my back and body pain seems to get worse during the winter. I really noticed it this weekend when I was out with the kiddos at Legoland. My body was aching more than normally and I have to think it had to because of the cold weather and rain.

Last week I had the opportunity to participate in an online webinar with Dr. Jennifer Caudle, D.O. She is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and shared some great tips and information for those of us living with chronic pain.

More than 76 million Americans live with pain every day
The winter months can mean more pain
While the holidays are hectic, ignoring or under-treating your pain comes at a high price because it can lead to more pain
No matter what time of year, it is important to talk to your physician about the cause of your pain
Find a doctor that listens and that you feel comfortable asking questions
Going to a doctor is expensive. Multiple visits means it’s going to cost more money. If you have financial restrictions, talk with your doctor so you can come up with a plan that works.
MDs and DOs, in terms of medical knowledge, skill and standard of care, are the same. DOs can use Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) – hands-on manipulation – to treat most types of pain. Anything from back pain to knee pain to pain from pregnancy, etc.
You don’t have to use medications or only medications. There are other options such as; aqua therapy, physical therapy, ultrasound, aerobic exercises. Remember that with chronic pain, often times a multi-factorial approach is great. Having a dialogue with your doctor is important.

Visit osteopathic.org/pain to take the “Living with Pain?” quiz and download a pain checklist to discuss with your physician.