GainesvilleMoms.com

My 20-month-old invented a new game this morning, probably one that your own child has played from time to time. It's called "Run Away From Mommy," and it can be played at home, in the middle of a crowded store, even in a parking lot as happened this morning when I let go of my little boy's hand for just a second.

Never once has my older son asked why my nephew's skin is caramel-colored while his is pale, or why my niece's hair is dark and curly while his is blond and straight. But his color-blindness will not last forever. It's easy to think that race is just not an issue in our family, but a magazine article I read recently made me wonder for the first time if it is something I should be discussing openly with my boys.

If your kids are like mine, they've grown tired of all this rain. For too many days and nights, we've been stuck inside because of non-stop downpours. I'm even convinced that the drop in pressure is the reason we've been dealing with a few extra outburst as of late. But the truth is, it's not just the kids. Everyone in our house has been a little on the grumpy side.

Firsts are important to every mommy. Baby's first smile, first steps, first words ... we remember each fondly and document them in photos and baby books. And for Florida moms, there's another very memorable first: first trip to Disney World.

Last night I was thinking about all those little white lies that we, as parents, are more than happy to tell our children. We do it for their own good, right? I mean, those false statements help stimulate their imaginations, protect their innocence and, if we're really lucky, get them to eat their vegetables.

My 18-month-old son has been spending a good bit of time in time-out lately, and I'm sending him to the corner for the same reason every time: hitting. My little boy can be as sweet as sugar, throwing his arms around me in a big bear hug when I walk in the door. But, oh, does he have a temper. Every time he gets angry, I watch and wait for him to turn into a raging green monster.