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<title><![CDATA[SRL Lifestyles Family Columnists Kelli Robinson]]></title>
<link>http://www2.statesville.com/content/list/lifestyles/family/columnists/robinson/</link>
<description><![CDATA[SRL Lifestyles Family Columnists Kelli Robinson]]></description>
<language>en</language>

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<title><![CDATA[End of excitement gives way to post-holiday blues]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/08/end-excitement-gives-way-post-holiday-blues/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/08/end-excitement-gives-way-post-holiday-blues/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[The holiday season came to a halt at 7:30 on Christmas morning. There was no catastrophic event, just the opening of the final present, leaving my living room buried in shreds of wrapping paper that just 45 minutes prior had covered the gifts beneath the tree. "Home and Garden" would have been proud of my Currier and Ives ambience. They just needed to be here at sunrise to see it.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Not even Santa's magic can ward off flu]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/24/not-even-santas-magic-can-ward-flu/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/24/not-even-santas-magic-can-ward-flu/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[It figures in the year of less pay checks and more expensive everything, Santa would get sick. Santa: The man, the myth, the legend — down and out with the stomach flu. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[What happens when family traditions collide]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/10/what-happens-when-family-traditions-collide/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/10/what-happens-when-family-traditions-collide/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Practically the only holiday tradition my husband and I share from our childhood is celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25, and even that's not an absolute. Forget "The Polar Express." Our holiday story is "The Polar Opposites."]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[From family to free outings: What I'm thankful for]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/27/family-free-outings-what-im-thankful/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/27/family-free-outings-what-im-thankful/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Perhaps you've heard of the Thanksgiving Day tradition that involves everyone gathered at the dinner table sharing what they're thankful for. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Turning back clock turns day into magic]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/13/turning-back-clock-turns-day-magic/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/13/turning-back-clock-turns-day-magic/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[We knew change was coming. And last week our country embraced the change I've craved for so long. Some states, including Arizona, don't support it. But I believe change was necessary, and welcomed it with open arms.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[How stay-at-home parents can prepare for transition]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/05/how-stay--home-parents-can-prepare-transition/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/05/how-stay--home-parents-can-prepare-transition/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Many stay-at-home parents are making the transition from the playroom to the boardroom. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Creature of Habit returns on Halloween]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/oct/29/creature-habit-returns-halloween/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/oct/29/creature-habit-returns-halloween/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA["So what are you going to be for Halloween?" my daughter asked me.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[There's no rest for the weary parent - ever again]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/oct/16/theres-no-rest-weary-parent---ever-again/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/oct/16/theres-no-rest-weary-parent---ever-again/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[You never get used to some aspects of a job. Working with college students, I never got used to them calling me Mrs. Robinson. It made me feel so old. And when blank stares met my humorous references to "The Graduate" or the Simon and Garfunkel song that bears my name, I felt even older.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Forget WPM, these skills can get any job done]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/oct/01/forget-wpm-these-skills-can-get-any-job-done/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/oct/01/forget-wpm-these-skills-can-get-any-job-done/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Parents, it's time to update your resumes. I don't care if you work outside the home, in the home, or very often wish you could be any where but home. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Flurry of 'non-party' fun leaves mom partied out]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/sep/17/flurry-non-party-fun-leaves-mom-partied-out/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/sep/17/flurry-non-party-fun-leaves-mom-partied-out/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Two weeks ago my son turned 6. For the past two years I've vowed to avoid excessive birthday celebrations; but, guilt and desire for my kids' vote for Coolest Mom Ever overwhelms me. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Long-anticipated first day goes by in a flash]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/sep/04/long-anticipated-first-day-goes-flash/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/sep/04/long-anticipated-first-day-goes-flash/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Last Monday was my son's First Day of Kindergarten. No, that's no typo. This occasion must be written in capital letters because it is an event. Anytime you spend lots of money (school supplies), field lots of phone calls (well-wishing family and friends) and get your tools ready (camera, tissue box), it's an event.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:34:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Want to meet an Olympic athlete? Find a mom]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/aug/21/want-meet-olympic-athlete-find-mom/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/aug/21/want-meet-olympic-athlete-find-mom/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[I planned to boycott the Olympics. I don't believe China deserves host nation status. But when you have kids, never set plans in stone. Because when your son is enthralled with swimming and your daughter cheers for the USA volleyball team, boycott plans fly out the window.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Those long, free days are starting to get a little old]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/aug/07/those-long-free-days-are-starting-get-little-old/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/aug/07/those-long-free-days-are-starting-get-little-old/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[There's a stench in the air. If you're a parent or a kid, you don't have to breathe too deep to notice it. If you're neither, you may not notice it at all. The smell of stale summer. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:45:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Fun outdoor games for kids]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/jul/31/fun-outdoor-games-kids/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/jul/31/fun-outdoor-games-kids/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[The other day, my 5-year-old son informed me he didn't want to go to the pool.  "I'd like to take a break," he said.  ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:07:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[A tale of two vacations at the beach]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/jul/24/tale-two-vacations-beach/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/jul/24/tale-two-vacations-beach/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[For all those parents who've ever sat on a beach and thought, "I wish my kids were here" here's a little taste of what you're missing:]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:50:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[We're all looking for a little respect]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/jun/12/were-all-looking-little-respect/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/jun/12/were-all-looking-little-respect/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[In the social hierarchy, stay-at-home moms are often near the bottom of the list. Just a step below them, however, are the stay-at-home dads (as my colleague Joe Melton so aptly illustrated in his recent column.)]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:19:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[The end of the 'pre-' years is only the beginning]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/may/29/end-pre--years-only-beginning/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/may/29/end-pre--years-only-beginning/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[I'm looking for a proven remedy for the "Post Pre-Kindergarten Blues." ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 29 May 2008 14:21:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
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