Are extravagant birthday parties a necessary evil?  Do you feel pressured to rent a birthday party place to "repay" the parties that your kids have attended?  Huffington Post's Teresa Strasser outlines the social contract she calls "Kid Pro Quo" How do you handle the pressure to celebrate birthdays for your kids?  Is it appropriate or necessary to plan an expensive, elaborate party for children that may or may not remember it?  How can we balance splurging and honoring our children on their big day without letting it spiral out of control?  For a frugal way to celebrate, here's a way you can …

The first day of school began for most Anne Arundel County students on Tuesday and Wednesday. Now that the first week is coming to a close, how did your child fare? There is always a little excitement and angst as to what teacher they will get or what classmates they will have - but who knew the first day would end with a rather large earthquake? And now a hurricane is on the way. How did all of this news affect your child's first few days of school?