The Chatterbox

The Chatterbox

News and views from the staff of FamilyEducation.

archives

February 25, 2011
Child stars are lucky if they turn out normal. Many of them end up failing in the business -- and in life (I know I don't need to go into examples here). Miley Cyrus is at a crucial moment in her career, as her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, recently recognized in a GQ magazine confession of his parenting mistakes with Miley. He told GQ that doing Hannah Montana drove a wedge in his family (he and wife Tish recently split), and being more of a friend than a father figure to the now 18-year-old Miley put her on the wrong path. We all know those parents who have tried to play it...
February 10, 2011
I LOVE chocolate cupcakes. And what's even better than using sweet frosting and sprinkles from a canister is slathering on my own favorite decadent toppings. Warning: These are not healthy recipes -- but hey, it's Valentine's Day weekend! I guarantee you will love these indulgent ideas for your chocolate cupcakes or brownies. They seem fancy, but they're really easy and will get your kids involved in the kitchen: S'mores cupcakes - Top them with marshmallow Fluff and crushed graham crackers (besides Valentine's Day, these are also perfect for summer birthday...
February 4, 2011
I've just about had it with winter -- and it's only early February. The snow banks are taller than me, and more big snowstorms are on the way. Yuck!! I know you've had your share of shoveling backaches and despair over lost mittens and hats. So, short of resorting to a very early (and impossible!) retirement in Boca, what's a woman with the winter blues to do? Here's an idea that might be fun to try with your kids: Pretend you're in a tropical paradise. Sounds odd, but stay with me for a minute here: Plug in and pump up a space heater....