Breakfast with mom — on her Leap Day birthday

Have you ever thought to yourself – “I wonder who has a birthday on Feb. 29?”

It’s an oddity for sure, celebrating a birthday once every four years when everyone else celebrates annually.

I’m sure as a kid those folks thought it was really an unfair practice.

Well, I know someone with such a birthday. I’m married to her. And, to her credit, she has never “really” complained about the infrequency of her birthday.

And the first gift she got this morning came in the form of the weather.

When we woke up, the ground was white. It actually started snowing before we went to bed, but clearly, it had continued.

There was news of school delays, which meant breakfast with the whole family.

So, mom got to go out to breakfast with her own mother, me and all three of her boys.

It’s not every day that we go out to breakfast as a family, but it was a welcome treat. Eggs, sausage and orange juice – and a two-hour break from school. I think it was a good start to the day.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. In case you’re wondering (I’m sure it keeps you up at night), he went with scrambled eggs, hash browns and sausage.

What is your teen’s relationship status? Check it out

Do you ever look at your kid’s facebook status? I think that most parents do – but, I could be wrong.

But, what about their relationship status? This is one place where privacy goes out the window – not that anyone on facebook is really looking for privacy …

Anyway, I have seen on my own news feed once or twice that “Johnny” has gone from being in a relationship to being single or that “so and so” is engaged – or that “Johnny” and “Julie” have ended their relationship.

The engaged one, that’s something to celebrate.

But most of the others suggest that a relationship failed.

So, every once in a while, maybe it would be a good idea to look at the “info” tab and see what your son or daughter is up to.

If they’ve always been “single” online and that suddenly changes, either they want to appear un-single, or they really are.

Also pay close attention if they become single. They may have a broken heart and a parenting moment – one that isn’t totally invasive – might be coming your way.

At any rate, these are good context clues for mom and dad. As you probably know if you have a teenager, they talk less the older they get – especially boys.

So, use all the tricks and tips you can to stay in the know.

They may not like it now, but they may just thank you someday.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He also has a fantastic wife of 18 years. His relationship status is set to “married.”

Help your teen feel confident about the job search

My teenager is 16 – and 17 is fast approaching.

So, recent weeks have prompted discussions about job hunting.

My best advice has been this: Once you file an application, follow up — but not every day.

“Call the manager often enough that he knows you’re serious about the job, but not so often that he would become annoyed. He doesn’t want to hire someone who he will pay to pester him every day.”

Matthew nodded his head – he seemed to think what ole’ dad had to say made sense.

The first “real” job I landed was at KFC back in 1988. It was actually called Kentucky Fried Chicken back then.

To date, it was the longest job I’ve held – not really sure what that says about me. But anyhow, I worked there for more than five years. I moved from “biscuit maker” to store manager in about three years.

I learned many things about customer service, working for a demanding boss, working in the same place as my girlfriend – and about safety.

I was held up at gunpoint in 1991. That was a “life flashed before my eyes” moment. That aside, I learned many things along the way that have helped me.

And I hope Matthew learns his fair share too.

Whether you’re a parent of a teen or a teenager, here are some helpful hints:

1)   Also drop off your application when the story isn’t busy (non-peak hours). It’s always a good idea to hand in a resume as well.

2)   After you drop off an application, follow up with a phone call within a few days. This lets the manager know you are serious about the job.

3)   Don’t over- or under-dress. Don’t go in a T-shirt and jeans. But, you don’t need a three-piece suit, either.

4)   Stay the right amount of time. If you drop off an application, don’t stay and shop (or loiter) for the next two hours.

5)   Always be polite and speak clearly.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He favors Original Recipe.

What to do when a weather storm hits

Here’s to hoping everyone stayed safe during Tuesday night’s wind storm.

It’s a good opportunity to look at how we prepare for such a situation – for next time, of course.

Here are a few things you can do to ease your own mind, and the minds of your little ones:

1)    Stay calm. Your kids are expecting you to be the calm in the room. They can and will pick up on your anxiety. So, put on a face that says: “Everything is going to be OK,” even if you’re not sure it will be.

2)    Make sure you’re prepared. Have enough food and water, as well as candles, flashlights and batteries on hand. It’s always a good idea to stay stocked up on diapers and wipes as well.

3)    Talk about a power outage in advance. Your kids will be most at ease if they know what the plan is. Make sure and talk through what a power outage is and why it happens. It’s also a pretty good idea to keep a flashlight in each bedroom in the house.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He thinks things run much smoother when there are actual lights on in the home.

Don’t get taken for a ride in the grocery store

This post is a hybrid – half parenting, half frugal dad.

It’s a simple concept, really. But be careful of displays in stores that surprise you.

And what I mean by that, is be careful of items that seem out of place. You’ve probably seen them – in the middle of walking aisle around the perimeter of the story there’s a pallet of summer sausauge, or Oreo cookies, or even diapers.

I was looking for diapers for my youngest at Walmart the other day and right in the middle of a main thoroughfare is a sign that reads “$24.96.”

On that pallet were Pampers and Huggies.

A Walmart employee asked me if I needed help and I said, “Where are the rest of your diapers?”

He pointed me to the aisle where they were kept and I found a variety of brands between $14 and $24 a box.

If your little Johnny has to have the absolute best on his bottom, stop off at the “surprise” diapers and away you go.

If you’re like me, and every penny counts, don’t be afraid to look around.

The diapers they put “out there” may well be the ones that drain your wallet the fastest.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He also buys lots of diapers … but that will end someday.

“Helping mom” … look out, those are dangerous words

For some reason, I was remembering a conversation from several years ago today.

I was in the kitchen washing the dishes and one of my sons walks in and says: “How come you’re helping mom with the dishes?”

Now, I’m not the smartest guy on the block, but I thought that a teaching moment was staring me in the face.

So, this is for all dads and kids out there:

Doing things around the house that don’t have to do with the garbage, opening a jar or turning a wrench … well, those other things aren’t “mom’s job.”

When you share a home, everyone should be responsible for helping with its upkeep.

When you have kids, their chores may be dependent on how old they are. For example, a  2-year-old won’t typically be expected to mow the lawn or run the dishwasher.

But, everyone can help.

So, there are really two lessons here.

1)   Everyone could and should help out. It keeps harmony and is, frankly, fair.

2)   Watch what you say. Maybe you’re not “helping mom.” Maybe you’re just doing your fair share.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He’s readily admits that he prefers washing dishes over doing the laundry.

Fingerpainting was so much fun

I guess I’m no different than most moms and dads — I like pictures and cool things from my kids hanging in my office cubicle.

And, there’s no end of art work that comes out of my 1 year-old’s preschool. They are they brave ones for letting Nathan dip his hands in paint.

But, it’s great because it not only gives him some important cognitive development, but it’s a good conversation piece.

Considering I’ve cleaned him up after spaghetti dinner, I’m just glad the paint dried before it got to me.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He’s trying to convince his boss to let fingerpainting be part of the work day – no such luck so far.

Car accidents: Do you really have to replace the car seat?

The subject of cars and car seats came up recently in our house.

I have heard, and you may have too, that car seats need to be replaced after an accident.

So, is it true?

According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, the answer is maybe.

If it was a moderate or severe crash, then yes, you should replace the car seats.

However, if it was just a minor accident, then you may not automatically need to, officials say.

Which begs the question — what is a minor accident? An accident is considered minor if:
1. the vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;
2. the vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged;
3. there were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;
4. the air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND
5. there is no visible damage to the safety seat.

So, there you go. And if you have any questions, I would deploy the better safe than sorry technique. You can get a good car seat for $100-$130. Metal can be replaced, car seats can be replaced, babies can not.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He’s the proud owner of two car seats – one for each car – and one smiling baby boy.

Three boys and three seats

Last Friday, I took my three boys to watch the Naches Valley-Goldendale basketball game.

We do this everyone once in a while. It sounds like a boys night, but in reality, it’s a girls night for mom – no sweaty boys, no fighting over the remote. Just a little peace and quiet.

OK, now back to the game.

When we get there, I am ready to unload my wallet for admission, hot dogs and pop. And once dinner is paid for, it happens. The running begins.

When you started to read this, you may have pictured me and my three boys in the stands eating hot dogs and cheering on the home team.

Well, not exactly.

My 16 year-old takes off to hang out with the band. He’s not in band, but has a lot of friends who are.

My 11 year-old is off to hang out with his basketball buddies on the other side of the gym.

And my 1-year-old hangs out with me – well, because that’s what 1-year-olds do.

So, there we are – four guys in three different places watching the game.

After a while, the baby gets squirmy and I take him to the lobby area where he does his own running. I follow him around to keep him out of harm’s way. He’s attracted to this orange ball everyone is passing around. We eventual head back in and watch the remainder of the game.

Yes, my kids all have their own personalities, their own friends and their own idea of a good time.

Being one of five kids myself, I’m sure I did the same thing “back in my day.”

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He likes a high school basketball game as much as the next guy, but his 3-point shot needs some work.

What do you say in front of your kids?

Here’s a little something I ready today that made me think.

Kim John Payne, author of “Simplicity Parenting,” responds to how she decides what to say in front of her children.

“Before I say something in front of my children I will ask myself three questions:
• Is it true? To this I can usually, though not always, tell myself, with a sense of righteousness, a firm ‘yes.’
• Is it necessary? Now I pause. Do my children really need to hear this? They will know soon enough the world is flawed; for now a good world will do just fine.
•Is it kind? This is altogether harder. Is it kind to this person to say this? Am I modeling being accusative rather than inquisitive, dehumanizing or humanizing?”

Wow! What great food for thought.

When it comes to things like being mean-spirited and getting involved in gossip, our kids could really use a good example.

Guess what else this brings to mind? Driving.

If you swear at other drivers in the car or even show them one of your fingers, it may not be the best thing for your kids to hear or see.

And, what about television?

Keep in mind that what you’re listening to on TV, they probably are too.

They are counting on us to filter certain information. And, well … we may not always do a great job.

Start small. Start a day at a time.

Focus tonight on what your kids hear and do your absolute best to make sure it’s in their best interest.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He has lots of choices to make and six ears to protect.

And so it begins …

My middle son plays AAU basketball. He’s in fifth grade and I knew this day would come.

We are officially past the “everybody plays and everyone’s a winner” phase.

Last Saturday, we played West Valley (my son plays for Highland) and I would say the game was pretty darn aggressive.

Micah, who is 11, banged his knee on the court at one point and sat out for a spell. There were also three different injuries to West Valley kids.

Each time, the kids left the game, but were able to return.

So, long story short, bumps and bruises, but nothing serious.

It’s fun to watch these guys flying around and learning to be competitive. They are wrestling for loose balls, taking charges and getting after it.

These are all skills they’ll need if they expect to play at the varsity level in high school.

This is also when it gets more competitive. Kids who don’t hustle are replaced by kids who do.

I think this is the grade level (or maybe it’s in sixth grade or so) where kids decide whether they’re all in or if they want to go do something else.

There are lots of good lessons for moms and dads to reinforce at home.

Teamwork, hard work, trust, execution … they are all part of the game of basketball.

And, more importantly, they all transfer to other areas of life.

If one day Johnny is running a bank, he’ll still need the values presented in teamwork, hard work, trust and execution.

So, yes, dribbling a basketball and making a free throw may not result in a paycheck later in life, but they still matter in the big picture.

Fighting for the ball is part of the growing process. That spirit may matter someday when he ‘s seeking the next promotion or needs to be a team player on a corporate negotiation.

• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth basketball dad and changes diapers. He never gets to play basketball at work. His boss frowns upon it.

Teen Tuesdays (Selah Library)

January 31, 2012

3:30 pm

February 7, 2012

3:30 pm

February 14, 2012

3:30 pm

February 21, 2012

3:30 pm

February 28, 2012

3:30 pm

March 6, 2012

3:30 pm

March 13, 2012

3:30 pm

March 20, 2012

3:30 pm

March 27, 2012

3:30 pm

Teen Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

SELAH LIBRARY. 106 S. Second St., Selah; 509-698-7345.

Preschool story time (Selah Library)

January 31, 2012

4:00 am

February 1, 2012

1:30 pm

February 2, 2012

1:30 pm

February 6, 2012

10:00 am

February 8, 2012

1:30 pm

February 13, 2012

10:00 am

February 15, 2012

1:30 pm

February 16, 2012

1:30 pm

February 22, 2012

1:30 pm

February 27, 2012

10:00 am

February 29, 2012

1:30 pm

March 5, 2012

10:00 am

March 7, 2012

1:30 pm

March 12, 2012

10:00 am

March 14, 2012

1:30 pm

March 19, 2012

10:00 am

March 21, 2012

1:30 pm

March 26, 2012

10:00 am

March 28, 2012

1:30 pm

December 13, 2012

10:00 am

December 17, 2012

10:00 am

December 19, 2012

1:30 pm

December 20, 2012

10:00 am

December 26, 2012

1:30 pm

December 27, 2012

10:00 am

December 31, 2012

10:00 am

January 2, 2013

1:30 pm

January 3, 2013

10:00 am

January 7, 2013

10:00 am

January 9, 2013

1:30 pm

January 10, 2013

10:00 am

January 14, 2013

10:00 am

January 16, 2013

1:30 pm

January 17, 2013

10:00 am

January 21, 2013

10:00 am

January 23, 2013

1:30 pm

January 24, 2013

10:00 am

January 28, 2013

10:00 am

January 30, 2013

1:30 pm

January 31, 2013

10:00 am

February 4, 2013

10:00 am

February 6, 2013

1:30 pm

February 7, 2013

10:00 am

February 11, 2013

10:00 am

February 13, 2013

1:30 pm

February 14, 2013

10:00 am

February 18, 2013

10:00 am

February 20, 2013

1:30 pm

February 21, 2013

10:00 am

February 25, 2013

10:00 am

February 27, 2013

1:30 pm

February 28, 2013

10:00 am

March 4, 2013

10:00 am

March 6, 2013

1:30 pm

March 7, 2013

10:00 am

March 11, 2013

10:00 am

March 13, 2013

1:30 pm

March 14, 2013

10:00 am

March 18, 2013

10:00 am

March 20, 2013

1:30 pm

March 21, 2013

10:00 am

March 25, 2013

10:00 am

March 27, 2013

1:30 pm

March 28, 2013

10:00 am

April 1, 2013

10:00 am

April 3, 2013

1:30 pm

April 4, 2013

10:00 am

April 8, 2013

10:00 am

April 10, 2013

1:30 pm

April 11, 2013

10:00 am

April 15, 2013

10:00 am

April 17, 2013

1:30 pm

April 18, 2013

10:00 am

April 22, 2013

10:00 am

April 24, 2013

1:30 pm

April 25, 2013

10:00 am

April 29, 2013

10:00 am

Preschool story time with craft Mondays at 10 a.m.; Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 10 a.m.

SELAH LIBRARY. 106 S. Second St., Selah; 509-698-7345.

Kids’ Zone (Naches Library)

February 2, 2012

4:00 pm

February 9, 2012

4:00 pm

February 16, 2012

4:00 pm

March 29, 2012

4:00 pm

April 5, 2012

4:00 pm

April 12, 2012

4:00 pm

April 19, 2012

4:00 pm

April 26, 2012

4:00 pm

May 3, 2012

4:00 pm

May 10, 2012

4:00 pm

August 1, 2012

12:30 pm

August 8, 2012

12:30 pm

August 15, 2012

12:30 pm

August 22, 2012

12:30 pm

December 6, 2012

4:00 pm

December 13, 2012

4:00 pm

December 20, 2012

4:00 pm

December 27, 2012

4:00 pm

January 3, 2013

4:00 pm

January 10, 2013

4:00 pm

January 17, 2013

4:00 pm

January 24, 2013

4:00 pm

January 31, 2013

4:00 pm

March 22, 2013

6:00 pm

March 29, 2013

4:00 pm

April 4, 2013

6:00 pm

April 11, 2013

4:00 pm

April 18, 2013

4:00 pm

April 25, 2013

4:00 pm

Kids Zone, featuring craft fun for kids through middle school years, 4 p.m. Thursdays.

NACHES LIBRARY. 303 Naches Ave., Naches; 509-653-2005.

Preschool story time (Naches Library)

February 1, 2012

10:30 am

February 15, 2012

10:30 am

March 28, 2012

10:30 am

April 4, 2012

10:30 am

April 11, 2012

10:30 am

April 18, 2012

10:30 am

April 25, 2012

10:30 am

May 2, 2012

10:30 am

May 9, 2012

10:30 am

August 1, 2012

10:30 am

August 8, 2012

10:30 am

August 15, 2012

10:30 am

August 22, 2012

10:30 am

August 29, 2012

10:30 am

March 20, 2013

10:30 am

March 27, 2013

10:30 am

April 3, 2013

10:30 am

April 10, 2013

10:30 am

April 17, 2013

10:30 am

April 24, 2013

10:30 am

NACHES LIBRARY. 303 Naches Ave., Naches; 509-653-2005. Preschool story time and craft Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Creative Gaming Club (Moxee Library)

January 31, 2012

4:00 pm

February 7, 2012

4:00 pm

February 14, 2012

4:00 pm

February 21, 2012

4:00 pm

February 28, 2012

4:00 pm

March 6, 2012

4:00 pm

March 13, 2012

4:00 pm

March 20, 2012

4:00 pm

Creative Gaming Club, hangout and games for teens at 4 p.m. Tuesdays.

MOXEE LIBRARY. 255 W. Seattle, Moxee; 509-575-8854.

Preschool story hour (Moxee Library)

February 6, 2012

11:00 am

February 13, 2012

11:00 am

February 27, 2012

11:00 am

March 5, 2012

11:00 am

March 12, 2012

11:00 am

March 19, 2012

11:00 am

March 26, 2012

11:00 am

April 2, 2012

11:00 am

April 9, 2012

11:00 am

April 16, 2012

11:00 am

April 23, 2012

11:00 am

April 30, 2012

11:00 am

July 30, 2012

11:00 am

Preschool story hour, 11 a.m. Mondays.

MOXEE LIBRARY. 255 W. Seattle, Moxee; 509-575-8854.

Preschool story hour (Summitview Library)

February 1, 2012

11:00 am

February 8, 2012

11:00 am

February 22, 2012

11:00 am

February 29, 2012

11:00 am

March 7, 2012

11:00 am

March 14, 2012

11:00 am

March 21, 2012

11:00 am

March 28, 2012

11:00 am

April 4, 2012

11:00 am

April 11, 2012

11:00 am

April 18, 2012

11:00 am

April 25, 2012

11:00 am

May 2, 2012

11:00 am

May 9, 2012

11:00 am

May 16, 2012

11:00 am

May 23, 2012

11:00 am

May 30, 2012

11:00 am

SUMMITVIEW LIBRARY. 5709 Summitview Ave.; 509-966-7070. Preschool story time, 11 a.m. Wednesdays.

Preschool story time (Union Gap Library)

January 31, 2012

1:00 pm

February 7, 2012

1:00 pm

February 14, 2012

1:00 pm

February 21, 2012

1:00 pm

February 28, 2012

1:00 pm

March 6, 2012

1:00 pm

March 13, 2012

1:00 pm

March 27, 2012

1:00 pm

April 3, 2012

1:00 pm

April 10, 2012

1:00 pm

April 17, 2012

1:00 pm

April 24, 2012

1:00 pm

May 1, 2012

1:00 pm

May 8, 2012

1:00 pm

May 15, 2012

1:00 pm

May 22, 2012

1:00 pm

May 29, 2012

1:00 pm

UNION GAP LIBRARY. 3104 S. First St., Union Gap. 509-452-4252. Preschool story time, 1 p.m. Tuesdays.

Preschool story time (Terrace Heights Library)

February 2, 2012

10:30 am

February 9, 2012

10:30 am

March 29, 2012

10:30 am

April 5, 2012

10:30 am

April 12, 2012

10:30 am

April 19, 2012

10:30 am

April 26, 2012

10:30 am

May 3, 2012

10:30 am

May 10, 2012

10:30 am

December 20, 2012

10:30 am

December 27, 2012

10:30 am

January 3, 2013

10:30 am

January 10, 2013

10:30 am

January 17, 2013

10:30 am

January 24, 2013

10:30 am

January 31, 2013

10:30 am

TERRACE HEIGHTS LIBRARY. 4011 Commonwealth Drive; 509-457-5319. Preschool story time Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

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