Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D. is a psychologist, school consultant, and author or co-author of eight books. Many years ago when I was volunteering with a children’s group, I was given his classic bestseller, Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys. Fast forward to March 2008 and Dr. Thompson has a new book It’s a Boy!: Understanding Your Son’s Development from Birth to Eighteen published.

Over the last few months, there have been so many articles written about young boys and the challenges in raising them. Personally, I feel like I have had a relatively smooth adjustment in raising my two boys, but I still have questions (i.e. regarding having realistic expectations; educational questions; etc.) So, I reached out to Dr. Thompson and asked him if he would answer ten questions from Mom in the City readers that dealt specifically with preschool aged (five and under) boys.

Well, initially he declined (he does have an extremely full schedule!). The great thing though is that I never received that email response. I did receive his second e-mail. His It’s a Boy! co-author Teresa Barker had encouraged him to reconsider. It turns out that I’m the first “mommy blogger” to reach out to them, so…long story shortened… Dr. Thompson is going to answer our questions (yay!). Sometimes, you luck out just by being first, right?

Here’s where you all come in …what question would you like to ask Dr. Thompson? Please leave your question in the “Comments” section below or email your questions to me at kimberly@mominthecity.com by August 31st.

**Everyone is welcome to participate in this “call for questions” including other bloggers — I’m totally alright with other bloggers asking their readers for questions and posting the completed Q&A on their blogs once it’s done in September…I think that Dr. Thompson is that helpful!**

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In case you’re interested…

Are you a hopeless cook? Or is someone you know totally incompetent in the kitchen?

Food Network is looking for the most disastrous cooks in the country to participate in a very different
culinary competition show!

This is the opportunity of a lifetime—to work with the best chefs in the country and learn to cook like a professional. Seeking outgoing people with a genuine inability to cook, but a need and desire to improve!

NOMINATE YOURSELF
• Do your kids beg to eat out, after you’ve worked hard to make a family meal?
• Has your husband/wife told you it was probably better if you ordered take out?
• At the big potluck dinner, are you always asked to “just bring the napkins?”

NOMINATE SOMEONE YOU KNOW**
• Is someone you know constantly offering you food that you have to turn down?
• If you know a mom who can’t scramble an egg, a colleague who can’t convince
anyone to try their culinary creations, or a friend who tries but can’t seem to get it
together in the kitchen, this is your chance to get them the help you BOTH need!
**Nominators: you must attend the interview with the person you nominate

HERE’S HOW TO APPLY:
• Email hopelesshomecook@optomenusa.com
• Tell why you (or the person you are nominating) is the most disastrous cook in the country
• Include name, age, hometown, occupation, contact phone number, and a recent photo of the hopeless cook

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Recently, a mom shared the following grocery-saving information with me. (It doesn’t necessarily work out for me and my family, but I still thank that it’s a great deal!).

“I just want to share with you all about Food Angel Ministry. I came across this website through a sampling website where some people were talking about the cheaper food they (received) from FAM. Anyway, I decided to check for myself once the food was posted for a very low price. I thought that maybe it was not good food. Well, I was wrong! (It’s) the same thing we get at the supermarket.

This is how they work:
They are located in many states of the country and they have their pick up, we don’t buy them online, I mean, you can buy online (there’s an extra charge for credit card’s payment) but you have to go pick it up.

You can only order once a month at the beginning of the month and the pick up date is usually close to the end of the month (one day only). Payments (are) done ahead of time.

(My husband) went to get the food last Saturday and this is what we got for just $30.00.

JUNE 2008
1.5 lb. Rib Eye Steaks (4 x 6 oz)
1.5 lb. Hamburger Patties (4 x 6 oz)
2 lb. Pork Riblets
4 lb. Individually Quick Frozen Chicken Leg Quarters
2 lb. Breaded Chicken Tenders
20 oz. Supreme Pizza
1 lb. Mild Italian Sausage
2 lb. French Fries
16 oz. Sliced Carrots
16 oz. Mixed Vegetables
32 oz. Borden 2% Reduced Fat Shelf Stable Milk
6 oz. Pancake Mix
15 oz. Pork and Beans
14 oz. Ketchup
7.5 oz. Macaroni & Cheese
Dozen Eggs
Dessert Item

ALL THIS FOR THE LOW COST OF JUST $30

You can’t choose the food. They post what they will be selling that month. The menu changes every month.

This is not enough for the month for us but it’s a great help. If anyone wants to check them out, here goes their website: http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

One last thing: the pick-up location (for Manhattan) is downtown on Greenwich Street.”

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In case you’re interested…

Villanova University is doing a study about what mothers want from the workplace. They are specifically interested in what stay-at-home moms will need if/when they decide to eventually pursue work outside of the home (e.g., what will they need as they transition back into the workforce? Onsite childcare? Flexible work hours? Supportive boss?).

If you’re interested in taking their survey, click here.

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In case you’re interested:

The Tyra Banks Show  is looking for guests!

Are you a couple, either married or dating a few years? Does your boyfriend or husband never notice when you lose weight, dye your hair, or buy new clothes? Maybe you dressed up for an evening out but you normally wear jeans and your man didn’t notice? 

On your wedding day, did your husband not tell you that you looked beautiful? If you fit into any of these categories, please call Julie today! (646) 638-5629.

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I ran across this section in Trendwatching which mentions two services that I like to use. You might want to try them out. They’re informative (and you get to try out free products!).

“Women in the United States can now sign up to test-drive new products in exchange for their honest opinions and reviews at SheSpeaks. Here’s how it works: when users sign up, they complete a questionnaire about their interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes. SheSpeaks selects an appropriate product match, which the members receive in two to three weeks. Products are theirs to keep, and to try out in their own homes and as part of their everyday lives. In exchange, members provide their candid feedback online on the SheSpeaks website. Discussion boards allow testers to exchange views and opinions with other women who have tested the same products. After the review process, users can get the scoop on how their reviews may have impacted a product before it goes to market, which creates a nice feedback loop. Over 30,000 women from across the country have already signed up.

Procter & Gamble’s Vocalpoint has a similar set up, but obviously focuses on P&G products (”for moms”) only. According to BusinessWeek, Vocalpoint had more than 600,000 members in 2006. Time to partner with these folks?”

Source: http://www.trendwatching.com/briefing/

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In case you’re interested…

“The inimitable Tim Gunn, from Project Runway is making a new show. He will share his fashion wisdom with women and teach them how to create and maintain their personal style.

ksargecast@gmail.com or guidetostyle@hotmail.com”

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In case you’re interested….

“Barbara McNamara (Devil Wears Prada, Sex and The City) a casting director based in New York City, is currently casting for the new feature film “Baby Mama” starring Tina Fey (30 Rock) and Amy Poehler (SNL). We are seeking expectant mothers to do background acting for the film. This would be a great opportunity for you and your friends to experience working on a professional feature film set with two of the most prominent women working in the industry today. Interested mothers should contact John or Emily at the email address: talent@barbmcasting.com. We look forward to working with you soon.”

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In case anyone is interested…

"(We are) trying to connect with parents that have kids between the ages of 2.5-3.5 years old that are interested in participating in our study on language and literacy in kids 2.5-3.5 years old. The study is harmless,short and very fun, and will help us better understand the way language develops in children. Interested parents can contact Lizzie at (212)998-5546 to set up an appointment."

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Get a FREE Good Dog plush toy* with every order over $50!!
From December 15th through December 21st all orders over $50** will receive a FREE Good Dog plush toy! All orders over $50 will also qualify for a shipping upgrade: 2-Day Expedited Shipping for the price of standard ground shipping! With offers this good, that last minute holiday shopping will be done before you know it!

Visit http://shop.zutano.com/ to find the perfect last minute gift…

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