January 2012 Northland Family

Blast off with kitchen

FUN

IMPRESS YOUR KIDS: RUN AWAY

Step 1: Clean closet Step 2: Consign clothes

His & Hers combine to make one big happy family

JAN. 5, 2012 LIBERTY TRIBUNE THE KEARNEY COURIER THE SMITHVILLE HERALD GLADSTONE DISPATCH

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LIBERTY TRIBUNE, THE KEARNEY C O U R I E R , T H E S M I T H V I L L E H E R A L D, G L A D S TO N E D I S PAT C H

New to motherhood?

There’s an app for that

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

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Calorie Counter by My Net Diary — New moms should ease into any kind of physical activity, but many are eager to reinvest in their physique. Calorie Counter avoids fad dieting and helps tailor a diet to Mom’s personal preferences, giving her a better chance for long-term success. With an expansive food database, automatic recent history, recipes, custom foods, an emphasis on key nutrients and a community to help with morale, this is an all-in-one diet app.

Check out this app at www.mynetdiary.com.

AllRecipes.com Dinner Spinner — Dinner still needs to get on the table, even when the fridge is low on food and Mom’s brain is even lower on sleep. With the AllRecipes Dinner Spinner app, simply plug in the ingredients available on hand and a variety of recipes will appear to take the guesswork out of mealtime. Visit www.allrecipes.com to check it out.

— Family Features

NORTHLAND FAMILY IS A SPECIAL SECTION PUBLISHED THE FIRST WEEK OF EACH MONTH

BY LIBERTY TRIBUNE, THE KEARNEY COURIER, THE SMITHVILLE HERALD AND GLADSTONE DISPATCH, DIVISIONS OF NPG NEWSPAPERS, INC. MAILING ADDRESS: 104 N. MAIN ST., LIBERTY, MO 64068 EDITORIAL INQUIRIES: NORTHLANDFAMILY@NPGCO.COM ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 816-781-4941

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All moms need more time to handle their busy schedules — that’s a universal truth — but it could be argued that no one feels that cataclysmic time shift more than a firsttime mother. Suddenly, there is little room for showering and sleeping, let alone for making grocery lists, keeping up with workout routines, planning weekly meals or managing a household budget.The good news is that help is just a download away.

According to “Dr. Mom Study 3,” conducted by BabyCenter, smartphone ownership is higher among moms than the general population and moms spend an average of 6.1 hours a day with their smartphones. Having the right apps ready to assist is just one way to save time, money and sanity while moms focus on their new role.

New moms should consider the following apps as they gear up to bring an infant home or focus on those first few months with their little one. All of the apps are free, user-friendly and ready to make motherhood easier:

ing schedules.This app allows moms who breastfeed, formula-feed and pump to easily track feedings, diapering, growth and sleeping patterns — and create graphs to help monitor them — anywhere, anytime. Moms can even email reports to family, friends or the pediatrician. Read more about the features of this app at similac.com/app.

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Modeling perseverance for my children in 13.1 miles

By Jennifer Higgins

i

I’m not a runner. But somehow, several months back, I found myself buying new running shoes, downloading songs onto a running playlist, purchasing blister block and waking up at 5:15 to run before the heat of the summer became too intense.

And somehow I found myself running a half-marathon one Saturday morning.

With hereditary heart disease in my future, I decided to do something to keep it at bay. So I signed up for my first 5K last April, and I started running.

It wasn’t easy to find the time. My husband is a firefighter who has a strange schedule, I am a full-time teacher, and we have two daughters in several activities.

The girls aren’t old enough to stay home alone yet, but I was committed to making this work.

I ran early in the morning before my husband went to the fire station. I ran while the girls were at Girl Scout meetings. I ran while they were playing with friends. I ran whenever I could squeeze in a few minutes.

Then came the big day. All the training runs, stretch-

ing, hydrating and carb loading were behind me. As my friend Leslie would say, “The hay was in the barn.” It was time for me, the non-runner, to run 13.1 miles.

It was challenging, it was difficult, and it was fun. I was under my goal by three minutes, and my family moved

along the course to be in three different spots to cheer me on. That was the best encouragement of all.

After sitting through countless basketball, volleyball and soccer games, dance recitals, Girl Scout meetings, choir concerts and drama performances, there was something special about the girls watching me for a change. They watched me work for a goal and cheered on the sidelines as I ran those 13.1 miles.

They made signs and held them up proudly as I ran by. My oldest, who looks at me with teenager disdain when I open my mouth, was proudly telling people, “My mom ran a half-marathon!”

Bottom line: If I can find the time to run, anyone can find the time. It’s about doing something for yourself, to show your children that it’s possible to reach for the stars and meet a goal. It’s about showing them an active lifestyle, not a sit-on-the-couch lifestyle.

I’m not a runner. But somehow I ran a half-marathon and am planning my next one.

Jennifer Higgins is a freelance writer, teacher and mother from Kearney.

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LIBERTY TRIBUNE, THE KEARNEY C O U R I E R , T H E S M I T H V I L L E H E R A L D, G L A D S TO N E D I S PAT C H

Resigned to clean out the closet?

CONSIGN IT c

By Jennifer Higgins

Christmas is over and the dust has settled. As you find a place within your home for all the toys, clothes and other items your family received, what do you do with the things your children have outgrown? Consign them, of course!

Consignment is an option many may not know much about.

There are consignment stores, like Koley Poley in Gladstone or the Once Upon A Child chain, which buy clothes and gear from individuals and then sell the pre-owned merchandise, keeping any profit.

Another option is a mass consignment sale organized by a group. The profits from these sales is split between the individual sellers and the sponsoring organization.

“A JBF consignment sales event is a twice-yearly event where consignors and area families prepare and price their own new and gently used items they are no longer using or have outgrown using our easy online instructions and tagging system,” explains Tami Metzger, coordinator of the Just Between Friends consignment sale in Overland Park, Kan. Individual sellers are responsible for preparing their own items.

“We price all of our items, hang clothes and deliver and set up our own things,” Sara Forsman of Liberty said.

Forsman regularly sells her twin boys’ old clothes at Northland Mothers of Multiples Club consignment events and buys the next season’s wardrobe.

“Consignment is better for the sellers than a garage sale because you get so much more traffic,” Forsman said.

Michelle Duncan of Liberty has frequently worked with Kids Closet for her children, Lillie and Max, and shares some tips for how to get consigned items sold.

“To make your items appealing to buyers, they must have no stains. They should be presented well, hanging on hangers and pressed,” Duncan recommended. “Hang matching outfits together with all accessories visible. Obviously, the lower you price, and the nicer your things are, the more you are able to sell.”

As with a garage sale or selling items on Craigslist, it’s difficult to know what price to set.

“I usually try to price my items at 25 to 33 percent of original retail. Of course, many of the things that I’m selling are things that I bought at a previous sale, so I often break even on my kids’ clothes and toys. I have always made enough at the sale to buy my kids’ next season of clothes,” Forsman said.

While a consignment event might seem like more work than a garage sale, there are definite advantages.

“For shoppers, there is much more to choose from at a consignment sales event versus a consignment store,” Metzger said.

Forsman agrees.

“It is better for buyers because you know that they will have the size/gender that you need, along with a much larger selection. I would compare it to a resale Babies R Us. For example, we usually have 10 to 20 strollers available,” Forsman said of the NMOM sale.

Consignment sales typically charge a fee, and then sellers get a percentage of the profits from their items. The consigner fee can range from $10 to $15, and typically the seller can expect to receive 70 to 90 percent of their profits, depending on the sales event.

In the Kansas City metro area, many options are available for consignment sales. Just Between Friends, Kids Closet and NMOM each organize events for spring and summer merchandise in March, and fall and winter merchandise in September.

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LI B E RT Y T R I BU N E , T H E K E A R NEY COURIER, THE SMITHVILLE HERALD, GLADSTONE DISPATCH

By Jennifer Higgins Garage sales, Craigslist, thrift stores, Swap Shops on Facebook: all have become popular places to look for used clothing, toys, household items, or necessary gear. But when buying used, shoppers need to be cautious.

Liz Fields of Kearney, garage sale and thrift store aficionado, shares some of her tips when buying used.

“When purchasing items with zippers (i.e. jeans, sweatshirts, sweaters, coats, jackets) always check to make sure the zipper works. I’ve been burned too many times by bad zippers,” Fields said.

In addition, she recommends inspecting the items to make sure they are in good condition.

“Look for spots, holes, etc.,” Sara Forsman of Liberty said. “As my kids get older, it has been a little harder to find good used clothing for them.”

Forsman, who has first-hand knowledge of the Northland Mothers of Multiples consignment sale, also suggests checking that battery-operated items actually work. That might require carrying some batteries with you, but could pay off in the long run.

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Once you get home with your item, wash it before use.

“Always wash clothing when you bring it home. You never know what’s on it, and you don’t know what sort of laundry detergent was used,” Fields said. “You could be allergic.”

When shopping for pre-owned items, it’s also important to pay attention to recalls.

Drop-side cribs have been recalled in recent years, and must not be purchased used because of safety hazards.

Car seats are marked with an expiration date of six years from the original purchase and must not have been in an accident in order to be sold second-hand.

Before purchasing any used children’s gear, it is a good idea to stay up to date with current recalls through a simple Web search.

While buying used has its disadvantages and could require more work than buying retail, it has a positive side as well.

“I think it’s fun to go to garage sales and/or thrift stores,” Fields said. “It’s like a big treasure hunt. You never know what you’re going to find. I’ve outfitted most everything in our RV from garage sales. It’s fully stocked and hardly cost me anything.”

GET USED to a different kind of shopping

ACUPUNCTURE A Natural Alternative Emphasis on Women’s Health

By Jennifer Higgins Your sister-in-law, neighbor, co-worker or some other well-meaning soul has just cleared out her family’s closets and has decided to “gift” her children’s hand-me-downs to yours. How do you gracefully turn down unwanted items?

Michelle Duncan of Liberty has been in that situation and offers this advice: “I thank the person for their thoughtfulness and then ask them what they would like me to do with the items that I do not want. I usually give some options like, ‘should I donate these, pass them on to other friends, or give them back to you?’ That way they don’t expect I will keep all of it.”

The giver doesn’t need to know that you didn’t keep their former treasured possessions, and feelings can be spared.

Liz Fields of Kearney uses similar tactics.

“If it’s a friend or family member that I can be very honest with, I say ‘No thank

you’ and explain my reasoning. If you don’t want to hurt feelings, just thank them and accept it. You can always donate it at a later date,” Fields said.

When it is your time to pass clothing down, it is important to think about the recipient — and not just your reclaimed closet space — before asking.

“I will usually tell the person I am thinking of giving clothes to that I am going through old clothes of Lillie or Max, and ask if they would like to look through them to see if they want something,” Duncan said.

By asking ahead of time, you are giving the person an opportunity to say “no thank you” or let you know what sizes they might prefer.

It’s also important as the gift bearer to let the person on the receiving end know what your plan is for the items.

“I usually follow up with what I will do with the clothes after they look through them, so they know there is a plan and I do not expect them to take everything and dispose of it for me,” Duncan said.

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LIBERTY TRIBUNE, THE KEARNEY C O U R I E R , T H E S M I T H V I L L E H E R A L D, G L A D S TO N E D I S PAT C H

My son is full of it — and I have the X-ray to prove it

By Yvonne Ruff To tell you my son is full of crap sounds a little harsh, but let me explain.

First of all, my son Kolby joined Cub Scouts this school year, but unfortunately we’ve only been to one of our den meetings. Our absence was due to several issues. Once we were out of town, another time he threw up right before it was time to go. So a Friday night den meeting in December was important. We didn’t want to be another no-show.

Secondly, my husband and I are in the middle of child rearing, rarely taking time for ourselves, much less with each other. So when our friends from long ago invited us to a Christmas party, we decided we should go. Granted it was an hour away, and it was Friday night — the same night as Kolby’s den meeting.

I could make it happen, I told myself, I just needed a little help and a babysitter.

I worked it out to be at the den meeting but slip out just a little early. I asked a friend to bring Kolby home. By then Keith would be home and we could get to the party two hours later, but at least we’d be there for a while.

Due to my excitement about going to the party, I decided it was time for new clothes.

For once I took my time, had fun shopping and even got boots to match. I am definitely not a shopper and rarely get new clothes, so this was a big deal for me.

To top it off, I bought some hair color and covered up the long-ago-didn’t-work-out highlights that now started in the middle if my long brown hair. New clothes. One color of hair. Babysitter. Date with hubby. Seeing old friends. All is well. Life is good.

Until.

The kids got off the bus. Kolby was walking very slowly, hunched over, not standing up.

When I inquired as to why, he stated it hurt too bad to stand up. My mind immediately started reeling. “No, no, no,” I thought. “The cub scout meeting, the party, the planning, the babysitter … stand up child!”

Kolby was almost in tears as he came inside. I did the usual routine when one of the kids’ stomach hurts, “Let’s get something to eat. Why don’t you go to the bathroom.”

He chose the bathroom.

When I went in to check on him, he was sitting on top of the closed lid.

“Mom, I’m scared. It hurts. My bladder hurts.”

“Your bladder? Don’t you mean your tummy?”

“No, Mom, my bladder.”

“You’re 7, how do you know about your bladder?” I asked in wonder. “OK, honey, why don’t you come lay down?”

He stooped over, walked to the couch and lay down. When I tried to check on his tummy (oops, I mean bladder) he cried out in pain.

OK, time to call the nurse line.

“What?” I cried to the voice at the other end of the phone. “Go straight to the urgent care at Children’s Mercy? Why aren’t you asking me any questions? You want me to go downtown?”

The nurse explained to me that I had already told him enough information, just the description of how Kolby was acting. He also explained that the bladder was right next to the appendix.

“Don’t wait,” he warned me. “Go now!”

My head had a zillion thoughts going through it.

“It’s not his appendix. Kolby over reacts.”

“He’ll be fine. I should wait.”

“I can’t wait. What if it’s his appendix? He’s in a lot of pain.”

“I have new clothes, new boots. I dyed my hair.”

“If I miss another Boy Scouts meeting, they aren’t going to believe I’m for real.”

“I never go on a date with my husband.”

“I want to see my new-old friends.”

“Can this wait?”

I called my husband to make arrangements for our son Kyle and off we went to the urgent care at Children’s Mercy. I opted to the close one rather than going to downtown

Kansas City. When we got out of the car, Kolby stood upright.

“Whoa, wait a minute, buddy, aren’t you supposed to be hunched over? Are you feeling better?”

He explained he was feeling better but then pointed out that he was still hunched over “some.”

I think to myself, “Well, you better hunch yourself over when we walk in there, mister!”

After a very short wait to be seen, the first thing they do are X-rays. Kolby walked upright to the machine, darn near skipping all the way. As I watched him, I began to wonder where in the heck I was going to wear my new clothes. Appendix, bladder infection or a big nothing, I doubted very seriously I would be going anywhere that night.

And why was Kolby acting JUST FINE? When the doctor came in to examine my — by all appearances — perfectly fine little boy, she showed us his X-rays. His abdomen was full. Literally full — of poop. Whaaaaat? I was missing my party because my son was full of crap? Really?

The doctor went on to explain that this volume didn’t happen over night and it wouldn’t be solved overnight, but it was the cause for his pain.

Thank goodness. Darn it.

My new clothes. My pretty hair.

Thank goodness he’s OK. In the end, we did go out for dinner, but I wore jeans.

Editor’s note: Toilet humor aside, Yvonne said the doctor who saw her son told her they see a lot of similar cases in children this time of year because the kids are eating differently (holiday food), their schedules are mixed up and they aren’t outside as much because of the cold.

LI B E RT Y T R I BU N E , T H E K E A R NEY COURIER, THE SMITHVILLE HERALD, GLADSTONE DISPATCH

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From the first loose tooth or solo bike ride to game night at home, families know that everyday moments make life special.

Spending time in the kitchen together is a great way for families to make memories while making some sweet treats. Here are tips for getting everyone involved in the fun: • Review the recipe and various prep steps with your helpers ahead of time so they know what to expect and what needs to be done.

• Before cooking, set up a safe work area by removing anything not needed in the recipe.

• Have everyone protect their clothing with aprons or old shirts with the sleeves rolled up.

• For novice bakers, demonstrate how to carefully measure ingredients, then have them double check before adding. This is a great time to reinforce math skills while having fun.

• Make damp sponges and cloths readily available to clean up as you go.

• Take turns putting your own unique spin on the recipe. If you’re baking cookies, let someone choose between adding chocolate chips, raisins or nuts. If you’re baking cupcakes, give your bakers the option to customize their creations with toppings like Pillsbury Easy Frost No-Fuss Frosting. It’s a great way to foster creativity and have fun.

• Start a “keepsake recipe box” for all your bakers so they can keep track of favorite family recipes.

Everyday celebrations Because everyone loves an excuse to bake their favorite treats, here are some ways you can turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary one:

Rainy Day Brownie Pops

Celebrate a rainy day by whipping up a batch of dark chocolate brownies according to box directions and let cool completely. Heat 1/4 cup chocolate frosting on high in microwave. Coarsely crumble brownies over frosting and gently mix together. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place

on prepared baking sheet. Insert a lollipop stick into the center of each ball. Freeze for 30 minutes and then dip brownie pops into melted chocolate and your favorite sprinkles.

School Day Sandwich Cookies

Make the school day special by tucking a sandwich cookie into the lunch box. Start by making a batch of Pillsbury Chocolate Chip or Sugar Cookies according to package directions and let cool.

Turn half the cookies bottom-side up. Using your

favorite Pillsbury Easy Frost No-Fuss Frosting, point the five-star frosting tip straight down at the edge of a cookie. Press gently to form a star. Repeat stars to cover cookie. Top with another cookie, sprinkle-side up, to form a sandwich cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies.

Get more fun baking tips and recipes by visiting www.PillsburyBaking.com or www.Facebook.com/ PillsburyBaking.

— Family Features

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LIBERTY TRIBUNE, THE KEARNEY C O U R I E R , T H E S M I T H V I L L E H E R A L D, G L A D S TO N E D I S PAT C H

Decorating with KIDS — It’s Child’s Play!

Blast Off Snack Cake Serves 6

Rocket Mini Pan 1 package (9 ounces) small cake or snack cake mix Ingredients to prepare mix Color-N-Swirl Bright Icing Kit Cornstarch Mini marshmallows Mini candy-coated chocolates Color-N-Swirl Primary Icing Kit Regular and large spice drops Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray Rocket Mini Pan with vegetable pan spray.

Prepare cake mix following package instructions. Pour into prepared pan, filling 2/3 full. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.

Trim off top and engine detail from cake. Reserve trimmed pieces for another use such as a pudding topper or for cake balls. With spatula or butter knife, ice smooth using violet tube icing from icing kit.

Using round tip and orange tube icing from icing kit, pipe space man face.

Pat smooth with finger dipped in cornstarch. Cut marshmallow in half for eyes.

With cut sides down, attach to space man face. Pipe pupils and mouth with blue tube icing from icing kit.

Attach mini candy-coated chocolates with icing.

Using star tip and yellow tube icing from icing kit, pipe star pattern on cake. Cut regular spice drops in half. Attach to cake, cut sides down, with icing.

Cut large spice drops into slices to resemble flames. Attach to cake with violet tube icing from icing kit.

Kids won’t be bugged by this bee-utiful bee-topped cupcake.

They’ll Bee Delicious Cupcakes Each cupcake serves 1

Mega Cupcake Tote 12-cup Standard Muffin Pan Favorite cupcake recipe or cake mix 9-inch Angled Spatula White Ready-To-Use Decorator Icing Create-N-Color Primary Fondant Treat Kit Place baking cups from cupcake tote into muffin pan. Prepare cupcake batter following instructions; fill baking cups 2/3 full. Bake following instructions; cool completely. Using spatula, ice cupcakes smooth with white icing.

Dust face mold from fondant kit with cornstarch; fill with yellow fondant.

Unmold. With edible color markers from kit, draw eyeballs and mouth.

Using dark green fondant from kit, make a teardrop-shaped body, about 2 inches long x 1 1/4 inches wide. Attach head to body with icing; place on cupcake top. Using red fondant from kit, make six 1 1/4-inch-long logs for legs; bend in half. Attach three legs to each side of body with icing. Roll small red fondant balls for feet; attach.

Using yellow fondant from kit, make a 1/2-inch triangle for tail; attach to body with icing. Position bee on top of cupcake.

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LI B E RT Y T R I BU N E , T H E K E A R NEY COURIER, THE SMITHVILLE HERALD, GLADSTONE DISPATCH

Her Majesty’s Chariot Cookies Decorating desserts with children can make any occasion (or just a rainy day) extra special. Creating yummy and oh-so-cute treats are easy and fun — great for little helpers in the kitchen.

Young stargazers will shoot into space when they make a blast-off snack cake, complete with astronaut and candy flames. Bee-utiful bee-topped cupcakes are sure to bring on quite a buzz, while princess-ready chariot cookies will sweep any mini-majesty off her feet.

Ready to get started?

These tips for decorating with kids will help.

Each cookie serves 1

Create-N-Color Bright Fondant Treat Kit Cornstarch Roll-Out Cookie Dough (recipe available at www.wilton.com) Rolling Pin Stretchy Cutters Set Color-N-Swirl Bright Icing Kit 9-inch Fondant Roller or rolling pin Oval Fondant Cut-Outs Make two flower wheels by kneading and softening a small amount of pink and the purple fondant from fondant kit. Dust flower mold from fondant kit with cornstarch. Press pink fondant into swirl portion of mold.

Using violet fondant from kit, fill remaining portion of mold. Unmold.

For crown, dust fondant mold from kit with cornstarch; press violet fondant from kit into crown mold. Unmold.

Prepare and roll out cookie dough. Cut cookies using large round cutter in set. Bake and cool cookies following recipe instructions.

Spatula ice cookies smooth using pink tube icing from icing kit. Press fondant flower wheels on the bottom of the cookie.

Roll out violet fondant to 1/16 inch thick.

Cut door using medium oval cut-out. Cut out windows using small oval cut-out; cut in half. Roll out pink fondant 1/16 inch thick.

Cut oval using medium oval cut-out; cut oval in half. Place pink half over bottom of violet door. Roll small piece of violet fondant into ball and attach for door handle. Place door and windows on cookie; add crown to top of cookie.

Press pink then purple fondant into flower mold to make wheels.

Be prepared. Get organized and assemble all the tools and ingredients you’ll need before you start. Keep towels handy for quick and easy cleanup.

Press violet fondant into crown mold.

Keep age in mind.

Preschoolers have shorter attention spans and like instant results, while elementary age children can handle more involved tasks.

Consider kid-friendly products. The Wilton Kids line offers a variety of fun tools and supplies. Mini pans, vibrant-colored icings and flexible silicone stretchy cutters — no sharp edges — make creating scrumptious sweet treats a cinch.

Think sprinkles. Kids of all ages love this go-to decoration. Set out sprinkles in a variety of colors and shapes and let imaginations run wild with creative decorating ideas.

Have fun. Turn up some music, take plenty of pictures and enjoy the quality time.

Visit www.wilton.com for more kid-approved projects and to order products from the Wilton Kids line.

— Family Features

Smoothly ice cookies with pink icing.

Use oval cut-out to make door and windows.

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Blended broods

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LIBERTY TRIBUNE, THE KEARNEY C O U R I E R , T H E S M I T H V I L L E H E R A L D, G L A D S TO N E D I S PAT C H

PETER YANKOWSKY

Charlie Boothe and Mandy Davis goof around with their seven children, Tayler, 18, Carson, 15, Ivan, 12, Quinten, 11, Malea, 8, Nola, 8, and Danali, 2. Charlie brought two children to the marriage, Mandy brought four, and they have one together.

LI B E RT Y T R I BU N E , T H E K E A R NEY COURIER, THE SMITHVILLE HERALD, GLADSTONE DISPATCH

By Jennifer Higgins

t

“Till the one day when the lady met this fellow. And they knew it was much more than a hunch, that this group would somehow form a family …”

As the families adjusted to living together, other typical family problems arose.

“We had different parenting strategies, and we seemed to fight more about the way the other was parenting as we got used to the family dynamics. Her kids were used to being more in control, and it took some time to adjust,” Charlie said.

But with time, those problems have eased as the kids have become used to two different parenting strategies, and the family has begun to work together.

“The good thing about our family is that you always have someone to hang out with or talk to,” said oldest-child Tayler. “But the bad thing is there a lot of people in the house, and things can get a little hectic.”

Another of the challenges to being in a blended family for the children is having two families in two separate households. Enter the notion of the “other” parent.

“It is hard for them to go back and forth, and sometimes they have to miss out on things from time to time,” Charlie said about his and his wife’s stepchildren visiting their other parents. “My kids had to change schools, and that isn’t easy. It’s also hard to plan something where everyone can be there.”

Once everything has been sorted out with existing family members, new additions can change the family dynamic again.

Boothe Sometimes adding a new baby to the mix can cause rifts in the family. This was not the case for Charlie and Mandy’s family.

“Danali brought the kids closer,” Mandy said of the toddler. “She was the glue that brought everything together, that finalized our family.”

We all remember the words to the theme song of the beloved TV show “The Brady Bunch.” In today’s society, more and more blended Brady-style families exist. But this isn’t as easy as syndicated sitcoms make it look.

Charlie Boothe and Mandy Davis of Kearney have been together for four years, and between his, hers and theirs, they have seven kids ranging from 18 to 2. While it has come with its challenges, merging their families from the beginning was a priority.

“We dated for about a year. We would take the kids out together, to allow them to spend time together to mesh,” Mandy said. “They were all pretty close in age to at least one other kid, so it was more like gaining a friend.”

Mandy brought four children to their combined brood: Tayler, 18, Carson, 15, Quinten, 11, and Malea, 8. Charlie brought two: Ivan, 12, and Nola, 8. Then they added a child of their own, Danali, Charlie now 2.

One of the early problems the family faced was space. Finding a house big enough for all nine of them was difficult and forced the kids to share rooms.

“We kinda just threw them together in the new house, forcing them to share a space together,” Charlie said. “The norJennifer Higgins is a freelance writer, teacher mal sibling rivalries any family encounand mother from Kearney. ters came out of that.”

“We kinda just threw them together in the new house, forcing them to share a space together.”

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