Looking for a good phone for your tween? I just got Sydney the Kajeet phone which is really cool because you can set up a parent/child account. This way, you and your tween can make decisions together on who pays for which calls and services. It also comes with fun stickers—which of course, makes the phone more fun.

Better for you: thanks to the kajeet configurator, you can set up and approved and blocked phone numbers, manage when phones can and can’t be used, and view calls made to you and your kid(s). It’s one way to avoid (future) arguments.

Am I the only mother NOT taking copious notes at these back to school nights? After all, I’m not the one going to school—my girls are. And I DO think it’s their responsibility at this age (12 and 14) to take their own notes/understand what the teacher expects from them.

The other night: Sydney had Spanish homework that was clearly difficult. She asked for my help. I noticed that the top of the page said “Please do this alone. Do not ask for help.”

“I think your teacher needs to know you need help with this,” I told her. “I can’t give you the answers” (though I felt good that luckily I knew them—I haven’t been able to do her math homework for years). What I did help with—steering her in the right direction so she could find the answers.

Isn’t that what back to school night should be about? Not also: about trying to “make friends”/suck up to teacher so she’ll like you and in turn like your kid. I can’t tell you how many people I saw doing THAT too!

I just have to say how sad I am. The slain postal worker that was killed the other day in his Mamaroneck apartment was actually my postman—and was really nice. I mean REALLY nice! Didn’t mind my barking dog, always had a friendly smile (or piece of advice: he grew up in the area); and loved to talk about the Yankees (at least with my husband: I’m from Baltimore and so remain a tried and true Orioles fan).

It’s just so frightening and horrific. And, of course, a subject that I had to discuss with my children. Real life yet again infiltrates my little ‘burb, proving that crime happens everywhere.

Take a break from back-to-school shopping with our Mom’s Night Out at the newly revamped Richard Scott Salon & Day Spa in Mount Kisco (15-17 S.  Moger Ave.), next Wednesday, Sept l9th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Besides getting to meet ME!! (sheer joy, right?), you’ll be treated to hand facials, parrafin treatments, chair massages, color/cut consultations, make-up touches, wine tasting from women-owned vineyards, tarot card reading and numerology by Ann Marie (of Traprock Suites) and best of all: get a goodie bag with skin care from DeCleor and more (value of $50).

RSVP to ME: jmuchnic@lohud.com or 914-696-8288.

Did you all hear about the Ohio woman —an assistant principal at a grade school—that left her 2-year-old daughter in alone in a hot car by accident. She was not charged, though the toddler died. Her claim? She was so busy and agitated with her daily errands/work/juggling acts that she literally “forgot” her daughter was in the car. See story here.

I have to say, I can relate. I don’t think any of us can judge. What do you think?

What would YOUR kids do if they were home alone when a stranger knocks? I had the opportunity to find out—though in a VERY public way (meaning they’re not speaking to me now). I “set” my kids up on a new Bill Stanton Dateline NBC show, which aired last night.

We all learned some important lessons.

For the record, though, what the camera DIDn’t show: the fact that my girls DID try to call my husband and I before they opened the door (we were instructed not to answer) and that they DID have hesitations. My husband is “positive” they would NOT have answered had the man at the door been dressed in a UPS or FedEx uniform. But still…it’s a learning lesson for us all.

What would YOUR kids do?