Given the circumstances of the past few days, I thought it best to release my site NOW. Without further ado (and please be kind) here is Root & Sprout:

www.RootandSprout.com

You can NOW visit Root & Sprout!! www.RootandSprout.com

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It’s unanimous!!! Root & Sprout will launch early! (Notice the “&” in Root & Sprout? After much debate, my husband finally convinced me it’s a more trendy spelling.) Look for Root & Sprout to go live sometime on Saturday or Sunday.

I worked on the site the majority of the day yesterday, but there are still a lot of “little things” that are not quite perfect. I have one article left to edit and post, although I don’t have near the number of articles I had hoped (and that includes what I had intended to write myself). HOWEVER - you can STILL submit your articles!! I will not move the first batch until mid-month (they will be archived on a bi-weekly basis). You can write and submit as much as you want - that’s the great thing about Root & Sprout!

About the trademark . . . .

The good thing about having a spouse who works for a major university is having TONS of resources right at your fingertips. We will be looking into an affordable alternative to hiring a trademark attorney (which, at this point, is WAY out of my range). There is a service through the law and business schools for small-business owners and entrepreneurs in which they can meet with law students to receive legal consulation. The law students each have a practicing mentor, so everything is handled professionally. If that doesn’t work out, my go-to daddy blogger, Lance, has provided me with a wonderful resource, as well.

Of course, there are other details that I don’t want to share just yet. For some of you, however, it could be a very nice deal if it works out and your chance to be an official part of the Root & Sprout team.

So! I will let you know HERE when Root & Sprout is officially open.

**This post will remain here through the weekend**

I appreciate your comments and advice relating to yesterday’s post. I am in the process of learning about trademarking Root and Sproutto protect the name and ideas associated with the new site. I could submit a trademark application myself, but I feel I need legal consultation. At this point, I’m just trying to find someone to assist me. My neighbor has graciously agreed to *try* and help steer me down the right path, and my husband will be speaking to someone on my behalf today, as well. 

My husband and I spoke at length recently about Root and Sprout. Like I said before, what yesterday’s incident did for me was clarify just how serious I am about making Root and Sprout a success. I am not treating this venture as just another blog. No, I envision Root and Sprout becoming a popular web-based resource for parents (we all have to start out somewhere, right?). What’s great about Root and Sprout, however, is that it’s YOUwho gets to provide the content. I’ve always thought that I have the best bloggy friends and readers in the blogosphere, so I am thrilled to be able to share this adventure with you and have you be part of the experience.

It’s difficult to say exactly what will become of Root and Sprout, but I am certain it will be fantastic. I will share more of my official business plan and goals with you at a later date, but lets just say what I have in store is exciting! Right now, I am trying to tie up a few loose ends, mainly those that have to deal with boring administrative stuff (albeit necessary boring administrative stuff).

There is a lot involved to starting a business. Yes! I am starting a business. Although it may not appear to you that’s what I’m doing, that’s what I’m doing. But like I said, we’ll talk about the details later . . .

Right now, I need YOUR vote!!

I have one yay and one nay for releasing the site live before June 1st. Obviously, Root and Sprout will forever be a work-in-progress. However, there are still a few aspects of the site I am working on to whip it into a more presentable site. Part of me wants to wait until June 1st, but another part of me wants to release it NOW so there is no question as to who is the rightful owner - ME.

So please, cast your vote!

edited:

You can NOW visit Root & Sprout! www.RootandSprout.com

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You all know how I am in the process of creating a new website for parents called Root and Sprout, right? I mean, I’ve only talked about it like half a dozen times here. And quite a lot of you are involved.

I registered my domain (www.RootandSprout.com) and web space/building tools through www.StartLogic.com. The launch date is June 1, 2008.

Got the details?

So why, then, when I opened up my gmail account this morning, was there a Google Alert from www.GoDaddy.com that says:

“Coming Soon! ****Root and Sprout**** Family~Community~Planet” 

And get this. The URL in the browser says www.RootandSproutCo.com. 

What.The.Heck? 

Do I need to get on the ball and trademark Root and Sprout? 

How do I even get started on a trademark?  

I am prepared to take any and all legal action to protect MY idea!!

The last thing I want, after all my HARD WORK, is for someone else out there to be stealing my idea, thinking that he or she is going to start the SAME type of website with the SAME name!!!

Should I make the website go live NOW, even though it is not complete??

I am freaking out just a little (more like a lot), and I could really use some advice!!

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Thanks to everyone who has commented thus far, both on and offline. I have since edited the “under construction” page when you click on www.RootandSprout.com to be a little less generic. It gives the philosophy, as well as the launch date.

I’ve sent my neighbor an email (he’s a web developer himself and knows a lot about small business practices) asking if he has a recommendation for a trademark attorney. My husband also has access to people-of-influence, and he plans on making a few calls on my behalf to find out what we need to do to protect my site and ideas.

What this has done, however, is made me realize just how serious about this website I am. It’s not some hobby that I am playing around at. I have BIG ideas for Root and Sprout. It may start off small, but give it a year to grow.

Otherwise entitled:

A Conversation With a Six-Year-Old-Boy (Who Lost His Tooth Today at School)

I’m confused, Mom. How did the world get started anyway?

Well, I said, taking a deep breath. There are some people who believe that God created the world. They also believe that the first people to live on Earth were Adam and Eve.

Is God dead?

God is more of a feeling, not an actual person.

Who is Jesus? Is Jesus dead?

Some believe that Jesus is the son of God and lived and died a long time ago. There are also some people who believe that the world began a long, long time ago (starting to lose him at this point - gotta make it interesting). You know, like when there were dinosaurs?  And did you know that some people think we are related to monkeys?

Jacob’s eyes grow very wide. I think I have to pee. (runs off)

Not sure where all that came from . . .

There are two questions Bridget asks on a daily basis:

Are we going to Wegmans? (the grocery store)

and

Are we going to Kansas?

Answering her first question is easy and requires a simple yes or no. Bridget is familiar enough with Wegmans that, even if we are not presently there, she can recall riding in the cart, watching the miniature train pass by the candy display, or peering into the lobster tank. Likewise, she can understand phrases such as, when the big kids come home from school or when you wake up in the morning to indicate when we’ll make a trip to the market.

Kansas, however, means nothing to Bridget, even though it’s a word she’s heard us speak of often in reference to our upcoming trip. She asks several times a day about Kansas, leading me to suspect that my standard answer, not until summer, just won’t do for a not-quite-three-year-old.

Unlike in the morning, the word summer is still too far in the future and encompasses a large passage of time; seasons are a concept Bridget, a young preschooler, doesn’t yet understand. I do have a few ideas on how I can facilitate her understanding of when we’ll embark on our trip, mainly marking down the days on a calendar (which would be beneficial to a certain six-year-old boy, as well).

How children come to understand time has always been fascinating to me. In relation to tantrums, I try to avoid phrases like later, in a minute, or in a little while, as they are vague and provide no clear understanding of when something will occur. Five minutes of my time may seem like a minute to me, but it can feel like an eternity to someone whose existence on this planet you can still measure in months.

Hmm . . . . what an interesting topic this would be for a Root and Sprout article (hint hint). If you care to tackle how to teach preschoolers the concept of time, please indicate your interest by leaving a comment on this post. I’ll take the first person who accepts the challenge.

Thanks to the reader (kept secret until the launch) who submitted a rather humerous and oh-so-true advertisement for a finder of lost items. Mothers and wives everywhere will relate to her post.

If you didn’t see my announcement from yesterday, there is a new category on Root and Sprout for product and media reviews. Media includes books, movies, music, and software.

I’m in need of articles for the Root category, which includes information of interest to moms and dads. What type of article would one find located in Root? Well, you might find an article on how to cope during your first overnight stay away from your child, ways to stay connected to your spouse, how to share domestic responsibilities, ways to manage stress, etc.

With summer break just around the corner, you might also find information on planning the perfect vacation, tips for summer safety, and ways to stay sane when the kids are home from school.

Just a thought . . .

You all are fantastic writers, so I know you’ll have no trouble coming up with and submitting an article. Remember, May 15th is the deadline for the 1st installment of Root and Sprout.

Click here for the guidelines.

Someone please tell me how it is already almost 2 o’clock in the afternoon when it feels like it should be late morning? So many items on the agenda. So little time.

You’ll be shocked to know I practiced yoga for an hour and ran on the treadmill for twenty minutes. Exercising is easy when there are no kids in the house to throw toys on the treadmill or climb on you as you attempt to balance on one leg.

My husband helped out at Bridget’s preschool this morning and looked totally wiped when he came home. But between you and me, he has a lot of fun while he’s there. They made apple pie and Mother’s Day crafts today, so it was a good thing he went instead of me. I like to be surprised.

***************

Jacob is on the verge of losing his second top tooth. Loose teeth, especially when they just hang there, make my stomach turn. While Jacob was brushing his teeth last night, his gum began to bleed. Being the supportive parents we are, Ian and I began to chant, Pull it out! Pull it out! Of course our chanting roused the curiosity of both Hannah and Bridget who had to crowd around Jacob to investigate. Seems the blood and hoopla was a bit too much for Jacob to handle, however, and he dissolved in tears. He’s not really fond of the site of his own blood, and the whole incident freaked him out a bit. That’s okay, Buddy. I know exactly how you feel.

There was a time, when I was not much older than Jacob, that a friend’s older sister chased me around the living room, pinned me to the floor, and brutally yanked out my loose tooth. The experience ranks right up there as one of the most traumatic events of my life!

****************

So I know what we’ll be doing this summer: learning about the United States of America. Hannah and Jacob were recently talking about their cousins, who live in Ireland. Perhaps you can do a study-abroad program when you are older, I suggested.

I know what foreign country I want to go to, said Hannah.

Where?

Florida!

Uh . . .

I suppose to an eight-year-old who lives in New York and who has no memories of having ever left the state, Florida may very well seem life a foreign country. Afterall, it’s a long ways away. She did redeem herself (thank goodness) when she said, Wait a minute! Florida’s not a foreign country. I meant to say France.

Whew! Nevertheless, our roadtrip to the Midwest will provide the perfect opportunity to expand their limited horizons.

*****************

A new reader made the suggestion that I include a section for product and book reviews on Root and Sprout. Well, of course!! Consider it done! Just like the other categories, please write a 250-800 word review on a product or book and send it to submissions@rootandsprout.com . Entries that I receive before May 15th will appear in the FIRST installment of Root and Sprout.

I just want to say that the new website is really starting to take shape, and I am very excited about the launch!! Thanks to everyone for all your hard work. Continue to send in your articles!!

Articles for Root

 and Sprout!!

There is STILL time to submit an article before the May 15th deadline. If you would like to be one of the FIRST people to have your article showcased on Root and Sprout, please read the submission guidelines. You can even submit more than ONE article ~ how cool is that?! The site is set to go live on June 1st, so mark your calendars!

“Here at Root and Sprout, we believe the connection between parent and child is what’s most important, and it’s a relationship that grows through mutual love and respect. With gentle, hands-on parenting, we can give our children the necessary roots to help them sprout.

Root and Sprout is a place for moms and dads to come for practical information, stories, and advice about being a parent and raising kids. You will also find helpful tips, family-friendly activities, and more . . . all submitted by people who support the Root and Sprout way of life. “ 

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions or comments I’ve received:

• I just don’t know about what to write. You can write about anything as long as it is family-friendly. Root and Sprout is a fun, positive place to be. With summer coming up, seasonal articles are especially appreciated. You can write about summer camps for kids, tips for taking a family vacation, a recipe for your favorite homemade ice cream, how to make a kite, ways to fight summer boredom . . . the list is endless!!
• I would like to write an article, but I don’t have time, and I’m not a professional writer. You do not have to be a published writer to write for Root and Sprout, because it is a site written by moms and dads just like you. If you can write a blog post, you certainly have the time and talent to write for Root and Sprout.

********************

Put on your thinking cap and come up with a few great ideas. I know you can do it!! Root and Sprout needs YOU to succeed!

Yesterday’s post received a record number of click-throughs (not), so I appreciate the 4 out of 13 readers who read the post in its entirety only to discover a nugget of happpiness tucked in at the bottom. I’m a trickster like that.

I don’t know about you, but advertising that one can purchase advertising space on Root and Sprout is one of my least favorite aspects of being a website owner. I feel like I’m knocking on a door only to shove my palm in your face when you answer. My husband does this for a living, minus the knocking on the door part. I don’t envy him his job.

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Today is one of those miraculous weekend days when nothing pressing is on the agenda (except for cleaning the dungeon - ick). Trust me, those days are few and far between. It’s not often that I can lounge in bed until 7AM, sit on the couch for an hour to read the paper and drink coffee, and then write a blog post. Here it is, almost 8:40, and I’m beginning to feel like a sloth. Little tummies are growling, and a kitty needs his meds. But other than that, there’s nowhere to go and nothin’ to do except enjoy the day.

And get this, my husband proclaimed last night that the weekend is his time to cook. He said it in a way that implied I’ve been hogging the kitchen (snort). Um, well . . . here’s the spatula, honey. I won’t fight you for it! We received a promotional magazine in the mail yesterday with oodles of delicious-looking recipes, and my husband is feeling inspired. He’s already planning my Mother’s Day meal. It’s good to be me!

And just in case you need another reason why it’s good to be me, here’s a short story:

I was outside with my kids yesterday lounging in a chair while watching them play. The girls began to chant, We love mom! We love mom! At that point, Jacob comes running over to me and whispered in my ear, But I love you best of all . . .

I know. I have it rough.

Once again, a big THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed an article or posted about Root and Sprout on his or her own blog! I appreciate your continued support. There is still time to participate before the site goes live on June 1st. Follow the link for details. I need YOUR help to make the site a success!!

One crucial element to Root and Sprout’s success is funding. Yes, maintaing a website costs money. At this point, it’s not a huge investment; however, there are fees associated with owning a website. So where does the money come from? Advertising, of course!

There are a few ways in which to advertise with Root and Sprout. If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur whose site and product appeals to the Root and Sprout parent and kid, consider our affordable alternatives to pricey advertising fees.

**If you would like to be a corporate sponsor, please send an email to advertising@rootandsprout.com for fees and information. The prices quoted below are for small businesses and entrepreneurs only.**

Graphic and Text Link Ads

Purchase space for a graphic and text link ad that will lead customers to your business.

• $15 for three months
• $25 for six months
• $40 for nine months
• $55 for one year

For questions and site approval, email advertising@rootandsprout.com.

Written Endorsements

Why not let Root and Sprout tell the world about your site and products? A Root and Sprout staff writer will conduct an interview with you via email in order to gain a thorough understanding of you, your business, and products. Following the interview, the writer will piece together an engaging article promoting your site. Your written endorsement will stay on the Root and Sprout site for three months before moving to the archives. $30

For questions and site approval, email advertising@rootandsprout.com. 

As an example, this is what your endorsement might look like.

*Please note that I will no longer host the Support Entrepreneurs page or post endorsements on this site.*

If you would like to be one of the first to claim advertising space on Root and Sprout, please contact advertising@rootandsprout.com . *If you receive an error message when clicking on the email link, please open your email and type the address in the “TO” field.*

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Now that the nitty-gritty details of advertising are out of the way, here’s a little video of Bridget doing something I really  wish I could still do! Now, this makes me a wee bit whoozy!

Instead of blogging about Root and Sprout  today, I wanted to follow-up on a comment that was left on yesterday’s post. A reader mentioned that she refuses to purchase CFL’s because they contain Mercury. This toxic substance is not to be taken lightly, so I can’t fault her for not buying into saving the planet one CFL at a time. CFL’s are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. You should never just toss them casually into the garbage can. Didn’t know that? You do now.

Read this interesting article on Snopes for more information on CFL’s or this one from Mother Earth News. Neither article dismisses the claim that Mercury is found in CFL’s or that it is a toxic element; however, each article aims to educate why CFL’s are still a better choice and how you can use and dispose of them correctly.

The reader also mentioned that organic food is not all it’s cracked up to be because it’s often shipped from far and wide and packaged in a lot of wasteful materials. And she’s right!! That’s why you should grow as much of your own food as you can and support your local vendors. The organic milk and eggs I purchase are produced here in Upstate New York. Aside from that, I really can’t afford to buy organic food during winter months. But when the weather turns nice, there is nary a speck of produce found in my grocery cart; it all comes from my own backyard, down the street (quite literally, from a stand), or from the Farmer’s Market. Oh, I did purchase a head of organic Boston lettuce the other day (also grown locally).

Cloth napkins. Well, this one might go either way with how much I may or may not be saving the environment. The reader questioned how eco-friendly this practice truly is, considering that you would have to wash the napkins in hot water to kill germs and bacteria. Okay, I’m going to admit something. I wash ALL my clothes in hot water. Wasteful? This germaphobe can’t do it any other way. I can’t stand the thought of washing pee-pee accident panties or a bloody-nose wash cloth in cold water. There’s just something about bodily fluids that gives me the heebie jeebies - sweat, urine, blood, ahem. Yeah. I *boil* our clothes, sheets, towels, everything. So for this family, who could otherwise go through a roll of paper towels in a day, using cloth napkins is still a wise choice and investment.

So now I am interested. Do you think that trying to go green and save the planet is more costly, time-consuming, or inconvenient than what it’s worth? If so, why?

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This is a repost from yesterday (if you didn’t get to read it):

For everyone who is working on a Root and Sprout project (whether it’s an article or *somethng else*), I’m going to need you to complete it by May 15th in order to be ready for the June 1st launch. If you would like to contribute, please read the submission guidelines. We have TONS of openings available, so please consider writing something. You do NOT need to be a professional writer to participate. I’ve received many comments and emails from people saying they would like to contribute but that they are just not much of a writer. I want to stress that Root and Sprout is a website for parents written by parents (or people who have experience working with children). If you can write a blog post, you can write an article for Root and Sprout! (Don’t forget that you get a byline and link to your blog or website)

If you truly do not wish to write an article but would like to help out in a minor way, would you please consider spreading the word about Root and Sprout on your blog? If so, you can link to this post. Thank you!

If you would like to be one of the first to claim an advertising space (not to be too forward), I’ll be providing the details tomorrow. Once Root and Sprout is officially open, I will no longer be advertising on this site (and the process of advertising will be a bit different and hopefully better).

PS - If you are unsure what a byline is, it’s a short description of the writer. For instance, my byline for an article I wrote about gardening with kids said something like, “Lis Garrett is an avid gardener and welcomes the help of her children. This year, they are attempting to grow a 40-lb cabbage.”

Yeah. We’ll be eating a lot of slaw!