About Cafe Kierna

Sure we have a new president, but these economic times are still scaring the crap out of me. Nothing feels quite secure once you tally up what we've collectively spent to save mortgage companies, banks, insurance firms and car makers from going under--and it all makes me obsessive about my kids' tomorrow. Saving for the kids' seems impossible, especaily now, but as my tuck-his-wallet-in-his-sock dad would say, you gotta do it.

Fight clubs--groups of guys (and sometimes girls) who fight violently for sport--are gaining popularity all around the country. But not just among adults, teens are taking to this brutal sport too.

Check out this video of one fight club in Texas--meeting in a school bathroom. It's a scary thing, but with the growing popularity of mixed martial arts and "Ultimate Fighting Championship" the prospect of kids trying this themselves was almost predictable.

In fact, on today's episode of Dr. Phil, a 16 and 17-year-old who both belong to an underground fight club came face to face with real UFC fighters, including president Dana White. Not to fight, of course.

Bobby Flay and Rachel Ray might want to hold on tight to their cooking shows. There's a new kid on the block, and I do mean kid.

Chef Julian Kreusser, 5, has his own show on Portland public access, "Big Kitchen With Food." His mother is the "director," his dad (who works at the station) is camera man and editor.

photo by home-sweet-home

Sunset or the promise of a new day?

The weirdest thing just happened. I just wrote a really long response to my "Am I a Bad Mom?" post, as it has engendered a lot of conversation (that's putting it politely) about what a Daily Buzz writer should and should not say. I never write long responses, if any at all, because I usually figure I've said my peace. I just genuinely like to enjoy reading the often insightful, inspirational things you moms have to say.

Anyhow, I polished off my note (defending my position and clarifying that I certainly do not believe that one negligent act is the same thing as being a "neglectful" or "bad mom") with a group hug Sweet Pea, and thought I hit "submit." But when I checked back, it wasn't there. I'm really bummed about that because I definitely wanted to make some things perfectly clear.

Madonna's having adoption drama. Why not adopt a foster kid right here?

Adoption is something that I can't stop thinking about. I'm not really ready for another child right now, but in my mind, I see myself with one more. When I think about pregnancy, I just don't think I can do it again. I love to see pregnant women and I remember what was totally amazing about it, but unfortunately I also remember how rough and tough pregnancy was on me.

When the thought of adoption comes to me though, I get overwhelmed, okay, turned off by the idea of going to another country to make it happen. Aren't there thousands of foster kids in this country? How come we don't hear more about them?

IMO, this was one of the bravest questions I've seen posted here on CM.

"How do I help my 9-year-old who may be leaning towards being agnostic or atheist to adjust and "find her place" within a world of non-religious intolerance?" asks pr0udm0m_0f_3.

What makes this compelling to me is that this mom and her husband--and their extended family--are all Christian.

pr0udm0m_0f_3 explains the situation:

Ramen noodles, mac & cheese, and chicken nuggets. Those are the only foods cleo2582 says her 9-year-old will eat. Processed foods--often high in sodium and saturated fat-- somehow taste awesome to kiddie palates. In cleo's defense, they can seem like an easy answer when your children are picky eaters--and you don't have a lot of time to cook from scratch. I cook yellow rice from a box pretty regularly and always feel guilty about all the salt.

Is the solution as simple as not providing these things for your child? AmiJanell thinks so. "I wouldn't let him have those things...he'll get hungry and eat what you make him. Just don't give in for anything... he won't let himself starve," she says.

photo by Nicholeb211

An anonymous mother asks, "Am I a bad mom?"

In her words...

"My son, yesterday, asked me, "We can do it tomorrow?"

I said, "Yes."

He said, "But you're never awake in the morning. You're always asleep."

We were talking about making a video of him and his toys. It was late at night, around 8:30PM, and I said we should do it the next day bc it was close to bed time...I admit, in the mornings, I do often stay in bed and rely on him to feed himself. He is very independent, so I thought he didn't mind.

Hi, Cafe Kierna here!

A woman in Dallas, Texas knew there was something very different about her 11-month old fraternal twins Justin and Jordan--and was she ever right. She took her boys to a DNA lab and learned they have different fathers!

photo by Anndie

Imagine this. You pay for your smart, responsible 17-year-old son to attend a small, private religious high school for four years. His girlfriend is also a high school senior, but at a local public school. Her prom is coming, and of course your son plans to be her date.