It’s been fun telling people about my KIDFUN blog and getting so much wonderful support. Thank you to all of you who have written. An extra big thank you to Scott Herman, who was inventive enough to put KIDFUN on KYW Newsradio in Philadelphia years ago.

And, who would expect that a financial planner would have a great suggestion for KIDFUN. Kevin Nicholson always sends birthday cards to his clients. But, then his firm decided to send a card to his client’s kids and with kids, the more birthday cards they get, the better! Even if they don’t know the person who sends it.

One of his clients told him how this led to an interesting discussion about Kevin, about financial planning and the child’s college fund. In fact, one client made another suggestion to Kevin — why not throw a $1 bill in the card? So, he tried it. NOW, that birthday card became much more special and conversations about money just continued in many households. Plus, Kevin’s firm’s wall is filled with adorable thank you notes from the kids.

This all reminded me of my Aunt Phyllis and my Aunt Selma who used to tuck a few dollars in my birthday cards. Maybe I should try that for my friend’s kids and grandkids along with a piggy bank for a birthday present. It’s never too early to learn to save! And, it’s never too early to have money conversations with children.

Thank you, Kevin, for this wonderful KIDFUN idea! (I think I’ll give your firm a plug … Walsh and Nicholson Financial Group.)

Have a great day everyone!

We all have a tendency to buy too much for kids. Just go to a young person’s house filled with toys … filled with stuff either they “had to have” or we “had to be sure they have!” But, ya’ know, a little plastic cup with a favorite character on it can be just as special. So can a pen, a pad of paper or stickers! Something simple!

Try collecting some simple little things and saving them for surprises. In fact, try this. Buy an assortment of books at the dollar store, wrap them in colorful paper and save them for a rainy day or a visit to the doctor’s office or a day when a traffic jam could be a possibility. What could be better than an unexpected present! Pull out this simple little surprise and there’s a really good chance, you have just turned that frustrating moment into a much happier one!

Here’s a tip that may be helpful with kids who either don’t look forward to the bath, don’t love having their hair shampoo’d or love to make bathtime funtime! It’s called Paint the Tub, but it’s not using bathtub paints it’s using the lather from shampoo.

The other night I gave my granddaughter Ryan a bath. She’s 2 1/2 and has the most beautiful long hair but shampooing is far from her favorite thing. Her mother, my daughter Amy, had some brand new paint brushes in the house — some narrow ones, a middle sized foam one and a slightly larger one. When I babysat, Ryan and I took the paintbrushes to the bath so we could “paint the tub!” She definitely thought her grandmother was confused! She complained as I put the shampoo on her head. She didn’t want me to lather it but when I finally squeezed some lather into my hand, I said, “Look, it’s paint! Put your paintbrush in it!” She was intrigued …. she painted the walls, her toys, the side of the tub, anything she could and, of course, we needed more “paint,” so what could I do? I had to lather her up. We used a clean spray bottle filled with water to spray the lather off everything and, then as quickly as possible, I got the shampoo out of her hair.

And, it’s like magic!! We got her hair shampoo’d and she had so much fun she can’t wait to paint the tub again!

Okay, it’s all confirmed. Starting in June, 2010, I’ll be part of the New York Family Magazine team. I almost feel like I did so long ago when my first KIDFUN column appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News! Ya’ know how long ago that was?? It was January 1979!!! And, I’m still excited! I feel like KIDFUN has new life, and, thanks to Michael Traupman, my logo is so great that it just all feels right!

So, check out newyorkfamily.com. They have a great online (and in paper) magazine and soon I’ll be part of it.

Plus, my KIDFUN website will be done soon!

You’ll see next to my logo, a photo with Elmo and Bert. That’s a very sentimental picture for me. They are characters from Sesame Place, the nation’s only theme park based entirely on Sesame Street. They were my PR client for 26 years … well, until July 1, 2010. I think starting KIDFUN keeps me connected to the world of kids and now I’ll do it on my own!

My best, Sharla

Hi!

Here I am! Writing my first blog! I’m actually excited to get started and, also, a little timid!

What I plan to do in this KIDFUN blog is share ideas on how to have fun with young children, kids who are between 2 and 8. Much of the material will come from my KIDFUN books (published by HarperCollins and available on Amazon.com). Others will come from you — readers — and friends and family who want to share a simple idea that may have led to a moment of laughter for you and a young child.

After all, what could be better than giggling with a child, than truly having fun together and building happy memories!

But, KIDFUN may be more — I may indulge myself and write a cherished moment I share with my two year old granddaughter, Ryan! It may be a tip on parenting, a bit of wisdom shared with me by another … What’s so much fun for me is that we are calling my new website www.kidfunandmore.com, because KIDFUN can be anything we want it to be!

Look for my new KIDFUN column in New York Family Magazine in June in print and online at newyorkfamily.com.

Have a great day!