No Doze

Many of my friends have their college kids home for most of the month of January. This is a good test of patience for most of them. A few parenting articles I've read give guidelines to this time recommending parents allow their returning kids who have had a nice taste of freedom the opportunity to sleep in for the first week during vacation then no more after that. The writers of these articles must not have teenagers. I've found that whether they are in college or not sleep is on a teens top three list of favorite things to do. My pediatrician says its normal as their bodies are growing so much. I fight resentment knowing there is no way they could be more tired than a working mom. However it's the moms roll the guide and lead by direction so I digress.

My friend Tracy struggles with wanting to do everything for her college kid while balancing life to make her son fend for himself. It's a difficult line that many are challenged with this month. Me, I pretty much stay close to my regular schedule and text a list of things that need to be done before I'm home; doctors appointments, laundry etc. As long as that list is finished before I get home and grades are being kept up as is a good attitude I really don't care when my college kid sleeps. And I've found that making a few favorite meals can rustle even the most exhausted teen from their Bat cave.

She buzz words

• Nap
• Facial
• Sonogram
• Leather Gloves

Right now she could be

• Making soup
• Booking air travel
• Checking her tire pressure
• Coloring her hair

She could be a

• Hairstylist
• Make up salesperson
• Cub Scout Den Mother
• Newspaper Account Exec

She likes it when...

• Hand-me-downs are still in fashion
• Anyone entering her house remembers to wipe their feet
• People enjoy her food

She finds next year's Christmas presents for bargain prices

She Health

There's a good chance that she's taking some sort of medication to control any medical problem from high cholesterol to depression. Doctors will typically outline the pros and cons of any drug they recommend, but it's a good idea for her to do her homework and to make sure her medicine does not and will not interact with any of the food, drink, or other medicines she may take. For example, grapefruit juice can really compromise the absorption of some medicines. For a quick reference, check out www.pdrhealth.com and click "Interaction Checker. And, as always, check all information with a doctor.

She Diet

What else is new? She is trying (again) to lose weight, and the types of diets she has to choose from are extreme: the yogurt and soup diet, a ditch-the-carbs diet, the no-alcohol diet, the raw-foods diet, the writing diet, and a keep-the-sleep diet all seem somewhat self-explanatory. Then of course there's Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and services that will deliver every morsel of food she can eat straight to her door. Education is key, as is a meeting with an MD when it comes to dramatic weight loss. With so many options, it's no wonder she gets frustrated and heads for the nearest drive-thru.

What is the craziest diet she has ever heard of or tried?

She Baby

• "Do I pass the sniff test?" "I'm told I like my sister." "I wasn't born yesterday." These are just a few of the cute or sassy onesies she can get for baby. For more information, log onto www.sassyonesies.com
• She can keep baby the perfect temperature with the right type of blanket; all seasons can be accommodated at www.secure2me.com.
• She can give any new baby a big welcome home with a seven-foot stock or yard sign available at www.storkdelivery.com.
• Mexico is the destination for babymoons and boot camp. Amansala of Echo Chic Resorts in Tulum, Mexico, offers two programs: one for before the baby-it's a special retreat for the moms and dads to be; and another that helps mom shed her baby weight with exercise and spa treatments. If she can afford it, she can click www.amansala.com.

She Health

• Germaphobe alert! Pure-Go is a "revolutionary" device that will allow anyone to sanitize their hands anytime. This device looks like a bracelet with hand sanitizer filling the center watch-like portion.
• According to the American Society of Microbiology, 23% of people don't wash their hands after using a public restroom.
• The International Journal of Environmental Health Research states that the germiest places are playgrounds, bus rails, public restrooms, shopping cart handles, and escalator handrails.

She Food

• How much easier could Pillsbury make it to break that New Year's resolution to lose weight? Their product, Simply Bake, is so convenient. Luscious dessert bars come ready to bake in a pan with yummy flavors like Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk and Turtle Supreme; now available in the refrigerator section of her supermarket.
• On the flip side...
• Pillsbury's Reduced Sugar Cake Mix and Frosting is sweetened with Splenda and offers 50% less sugar. She will have to mix it herself, which might burn a couple of extra calories www.pillsbury.com

She quote

"As long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you otherwise might." - Marian Anderson

• Get more She Prep at www.ShePrep.com