I remember my parents' evening ritual. It would start around 6 pm, when my Dad got home. They would take a good half hour to enjoy a drink and share some undivided attention together before the chaos of dinner, bath, homework and whatever else broke the mood. The kids were not to be in the living room during that period, and they didn't have videos to put us in front of. We just did it, because if we didn't, there were consequences. Why have things changed?

I went looking for answers at the Web site of Christie Mellor, an L.A. mother of two and author of "The Three-Martini Playdate.'' In her book, she asks: ''How did children become the center of the universe? You were here first. Parents, it's time to right the balance. Time to take charge. TIme to enjoy your life.''

I could not agree more. What's your view?

Posted by Barbara Correa at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's my story in today's Daily News, about all the mommy TV shows in development:

Suddenly, moms are hot.

And not just the size-zero, sex-goddess moms stereotyped to perfection in shows such as "Desperate Housewives" and "The O.C." Now, real-life mothers are being wooed by television producers and marketers.

FULL STORY

TV execs see big potential in daytime programs such as "The View" and reality shows pitting hypercompetitive alpha moms against one another.

"Do you expect the best for yourself and demand the same for your kids?" a casting call sent out by NBC Universal last month asks.

Posted by Barbara Correa at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As Peachhead's Linda Perry e-mailed earlier, this weekend wraps up Spa Week and many spas are offering special $50 treatments.

Example, LeSpa at Sofitel (across from Beverly Center) has a 50-minute Radiate Freshness Facial for all skin types on special for $95, originally: $125.

I'm still dying to try a chocolate treatment, like they do at the Gauthier Total Image Spa in Sherman Oaks. Mmmm. Don't know if they are participating.

Chill Out L.A. has a list of participating spas, so what are you waiting for? Of course you deserve it!!!

Posted by Barbara Correa at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is it me, or have museums, theaters and parks finally realized that their only hope of getting busy L.A. parents out to spend some money on the weekend is if they make things super kid friendly? A quick glance this morning at GoCityKids' event listings revealed a dizzying cornocopia of things to do - and that was just for events today.

There's a faery hunt in Franklin Canyon, a bunch of movies (I love Jungle Book) and a family smoothie-making session at The Huntington Library. Barbie will make an appearance at the L.A. Zoo to promote her new movie (she has to stay competitive with her archrivals, the Bratz), and kids can win Mattel toys (what else are they going to do with all those recalled plastics?)

Of course, I probably won't actually go to any of these things. I'll be lucky if I make it to the 99 cents only store to buy a bottle brush. But just reading about all this culture makes me feel like I'm participating!

Posted by Barbara Correa at 1:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)