activities

This week's decadent recipe comes from Jenny from Picky Palate, one of our Top 25 Foodie Moms. We defy you to eat just one.

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 sticks softened butter
• 3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 Cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla
• 3 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 10 oz bag chocolate chips
• 1 bag Oreo Cookies, I used the double stuff

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer cream butter and sugars until well combined. Add in eggs and vanilla until well combined.
2. In a separate bowl mix the flour, salt and baking soda.
3. Slowly add to wet ingredients along with chocolate chips until just combined.
4. Using a cookie scoop take one scoop of cookie dough and place on top of an Oreo Cookie.
5. Take another scoop of dough and place on bottom of Oreo Cookie.
6. Seal edges together by pressing and cupping in hand until Oreo Cookie is enclosed with dough.
7. Place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet and bake cookies 9-13 minutes or until cookies are baked to your liking.
8. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. Serve with a tall glass of milk, enjoy!

Makes about 2 dozen VERY LARGE Cookies

For more great recipes, check out our Top 25 Foodie Moms.

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As the chill sets in, Circle of Moms members are discussing all kinds of cold-weather solutions, including sturdy strollers for navigating slushy sidewalks, effective treatments for dry skin and stuffy noses, and must-have outdoor gear for playing in the snow. Here are some of moms' best tips for surviving the season.

1. Get a Stroller That Works in the Snow

When you're walking in a winter wonderland with a baby, a flimsy umbrella stroller just doesn't cut it. Many Circle of Moms members recommend using a three-wheeled stroller with large wheels and plenty of clearance between the ground and lower part of the stroller. Moms give high marks to several specific stroller brands. "Valco makes a great stroller," shares Morgan B., a Canadian mother of one. "I live in Alberta where it snows a ton; my Valco has no problems even in very deep snow." Meanwhile Danielle T., who lives in upstate NY, recommends the Baby Trend Safari travel system: "It is great in the snow...[and it] goes through standard doorways very easily...the MP3 hookup is a plus too." And Saylor M. loves the Peg Perego GT3 for two: "It plows through snow and is narrow enough to fit on buses."

2. Prepare for Coughs and Congestion

Winter air can be terribly dry, especially if you're running the heat round the clock in a closed-up house. To prevent coughs and reduce congestion, moms recommend humidifiers. Reasonably-priced models from Vicks are mentioned repeatedly. Cindy S. says of hers: "It works great and is easy to clean." Others, including April M., say that a cool mist vaporizer works like a charm: "I live in NY so the heat is on and it's as dry as a desert. The cool mist works great!" Other moms suggest Vicks BabyRub, warm baths, saline rinses, and steam.

3. Have These Products on Hand to Soothe Dry Skin

Indoor heat and dry winter air can also bring on or worsen red, scaly skin and eczema. Karen P. swears by Johnson & Johnson's Aveeno Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream for her children's dry skin: "I put it on before bed and by morning they are all cleared up!" Eucerin moisturizer and Aquaphor healing ointment also receive positive reviews from many moms, including Christi T., whose daughter has extra-sensitive skin: "The best stuff I have found is called Aquaphor (made by Eucerin)."

4. Have Fun in the Snow...But Dress For It

Whether you're visiting relatives in a colder climate or enjoying your first winter with a baby in the family, a cold weather clothing checklist will help you prepare. Elaura P. shares the list of gear her kids needed on a trip to Alaska: "Gloves, hats, sweaters, jackets, snow boots, even a snow suit, ear muffs. Better to have the child too warm so they can take the clothes off. Layers are always good as well." Meilan S., a mom in Belgium, also emphasized the need for appropriate footwear: "Just normal sneakers won't do it. We have warm winter boots for our daughter for normal walking and snow boots for the snow."

Looking for more tips on winter baby products? Got a dependable dry skin remedy to share?

At Circle of Moms you can find all kinds of conversations with a seasonal slant, from keeping children entertained indoors, to buying discounted winter clothing, to favorite holiday traditions. Get great parenting tips from fellow moms, and share your own secrets, too!

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There's little doubt right now that teen moms have captured our interest: From MTV's 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, to ABC's The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Lifetime's Pregnancy Pact, the television spotlight was on teen pregnancy in 2010, and 2011 is kicking off no differently. On January 11th, MTV aired Teen Mom 2, following on the heels of the 16 and Pregnant: Where Are They Now? special and a controversial teenage abortion interview. Circle of Moms members, including current teen moms, mothers of teenagers, and mothers of teen moms have been watching, and we decided to take a closer look at their conversations to see what kind of an impact these portrayals are having on our kids, on our feelings about teenage pregnancy, and on teen moms themselves.

Do Teen Mom Shows Glamorize Teen Pregnancy?

Circle of Moms members disagree, often vehemently, over the accuracy and impact of teen mom shows. Kate C., a mom in Dallas, thinks the shows make "teenage parenthood look like a fun time," and Nicole A., a mother of one, expressed concern that such shows glamourize and promote teen pregnancy: "I think it might make girls who watch think 'Motherhood's not that hard, these girls can do it, so can I. Plus, I'll get to be on TV!'"

In contrast, others argue that such shows reveal the hardships of teen pregnancy, and actually discourage it. As mother of one, Mandy P., shares: "I, personally, don't think it glamorizes teen pregnancy at all and that's what I liked most about it! It shows how having a baby so young can cause you to have to let go of your career aspirations, struggle through high school and college, work hard to make ends meet, put a toll on your relationship, and hurt your social life." Lisa M. in Victoria, B.C., agrees: "What's glamorous about living in a motel, fighting with your immature boyfriend who doesn't help parent, seeing all your friends go off to college without you and giving your child up for adoption?"

Moms Say Teen Shows Are a Great Teaching Tool

"Whether it's on TV or not," says Delia D. "Kids are still having sex at earlier and earlier ages. I think any avenue to open discussion with our kids is good."

Many moms shared the opinion that teen motherhood shows can help parents discuss sex and pregnancy with their children. As Michelle M. explained, "My 14-year-old and I watch "The Secret Life" together and I use it as a great tool to explain to her what she should and should not be doing." Janet N., a mother of teenage girls who was herself a teen mom, also finds the show a helpful conversation tool: "As a mother of two girls who gave birth at 16 and 18, I love this show…I watch it with my girls and it often generates some good conversations."

Are Teen Moms Getting a Bad Rep?

"[The shows] pick the worst girls. They absolutely give teen parents a bad rep," asserts Taylor W., a teen mother herself. Many other Circle of Moms members expressed similar frustration that current TV programs on teen motherhood feature many seemingly irresponsible, ignorant, and selfish teen mothers. "They give teenage mothers everywhere a bad name." says Maci B.

Several moms, including Shavaune C., wish these shows portrayed a more diverse set of teen moms, including "teen moms that do breastfeed…and more moms that are going to college and what college life is with a kid."

Teen Moms Can Relate

Whether or not the "teen mom" image is suffering from the show, many teen moms on Circle of Moms simply appreciate having the hardships of teen motherhood publicized. Kaara H., who got pregnant at 15, admits she enjoys watching the shows: "It makes me feel better about being one of them… The shows help me feel like I'm not alone." And Pamela S. shares "I was a teenage mother and now I am in my 30's with 4 boys and I love the show… I hope that they continue to follow these young girls and see how their lives turn out."

Want to share your opinion on teen mom shows? Looking to dish about "Teen Mom 2"?

With communities for teenage mothers and young mothers, moms of teenagers, debating current hot topics, and discussing popular TV shows like The Office and Grey's Anatomy, Circle of Moms is a friendly, helpful place to share the challenges of motherhood with fellow moms.

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Dora the Explorer, Barney, Sesame Street, Playhouse Disney ...popular children's TV programming can provide a welcome mini-break for moms who need to cook dinner, clean house, or simply shower. Yet moms have varying opinions on the acceptable amount of TV time for babies and toddlers, as well as the potential benefits and risks. Here are some of the most frequently-heard views expressed by Circle of Moms members.

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No TV Recommended for Children Under 2

No TV is best according the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which encourages interactive play for children under 2 and recommends no TV at all. Many Circle of Moms members hold fast to this recommendation, arguing that passive TV time could be better spent talking, singing, reading, listening to music, or playing. As Rachel M. shared, "My children never watched TV until they were almost two, and even then I limited it to one show a day. They learned to play outside a lot which was great!" Other moms feel that the visual and aural stimulation provided by TV can be positive for babies. New York mom Noelle L. shared that her 3-month-old boy "loves the sounds and the bright lights," while Lisa G., a mother of two, feels cartoons advertised for ages 0-2, such as Clifford, Barney, Sesame Street, and Wonder Pets are positive sources of stimulation: "My son is 3 months old as well and loves watching TV...I actually think it's a good way to stimulate his brain."

Beyond Age 2, Moderation is Key

After the age of two, the AAP recommends no more than 1–2 hours per day of programming, and specifies that it should be educational and non-violent, and supervised. Many Circle of Moms members with children over 2 make good use that short window of TV time to speed through household tasks, carving out more time to spend with their children. As Tana K., a mother of two boys, explains: "It allows me to get what needs to be done fast without having to worry about what he is doing. I can finish more quickly when he's not following me around, tugging on my pants to try and get attention. I then have more time to focus on him and we can play, read, work on colors, numbers, etc., together." Other moms feel that strictly adhering to the 1–2 hour limit for toddlers isn't terribly important. As Julie N. shares, "My kids watch heaps of TV and DVDs, but at the same time they are really active and we go out a lot and do lots of other activities…At the end of the day, as long as they are not glued to the TV 24/7, with their face right in front of the screen, stuffing themselves with sweets and crisps at the same time, then it is not a bad thing."

TV's Effects on Child Development

Why shouldn't infants watch TV? As recently reported by US News, a study found "babies who watch TV are more likely to have delayed cognitive development and language at 14 months, especially if they're watching programs intended for adults and older children." As Washington mom Sally N. further explained, the lack of human interaction in the TV experience, along with the distortion of sounds and quickly moving images can all pose problems.

On the other hand, several Circle of Moms members argued that TV alone won't cause developmental delays. Erin H., a single mom in Australia, contended that in addition to TV viewing, development in young children depends on factors including "personality, genetics, social environment, and, most importantly, the amount of time spent talking and exploring new concepts."

Looking for more information about moms' views on TV? Want to share your own opinion?

Home to dynamic communities where moms share their diverse opinions and real-life experiences, Circle of Moms is a place connect with fellow moms about all kinds of parenting topics, whether you want to ask fellow moms developmental questions (search under "Communities" by your child's month and year of birth), find advice on age-appropriate TV shows, or debate hot parenting topics.

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Dolls have been entertaining children for millennia, but the scrutiny that parents shower upon them may well be a new phenomenon. From Peggy Orenstein's newly released book, Cinderella Ate My Daughter, to the many Circle of Moms conversations about popular toys like the Bratz dolls, modern moms are particularly interested in how a girl's toys shape her perception of the world and herself. Moms seem to have particularly strong views on Barbie, with numerous Circle of Moms members debating whether she's an unequivocally bad influence on their little girls.

Why Moms are Anti-Barbie

Several Circle of Moms members vehemently argued that Barbie's unrealistic body proportions make her an indisputably bad influence on young children. As Julianne M., mom to one daughter, explained, "A doll with huge breasts is not appropriate for a little girl to play with, especially since Barbie has a tiny waist and thin hips. It teaches young girls to have unrealistic expectations of their own bodies. When they are older, they may have low self-esteem because of it." Other moms, including Vickie T., a mother of one son, voiced the opinion that Barbie dolls set a poor example for boys as well: "Barbies and princesses are such unhealthy, unrealistic examples of women that I wouldn't encourage them for children, regardless of their sex."

Why Moms are Pro-Barbie

Not all moms are anti-Barbie, however. Many Circle of Moms members allow their children to play with the dolls, citing three main reasons.

First, moms argue that Barbie's negative effect on self-esteem is exaggerated. "It's just a doll," argued mother of three Teresa, who herself played with Barbies and feels there was no negative impact. She added, "I really don't think many 5–7 year olds...actually analyze Barbie's breast size." Paula C. expressed a similar view: "My daughter played with Barbie and Bratz. She does not dress like Bratz now (she's 11) nor does she expect to be built like Barbie."

Other moms perceive Barbie as a positive creative influence. "I see them as a toy that promotes creative play," shared Jodi A., a mother of four children. "My daughter has several Barbie dolls, as well as a dollhouse for them…She also designs her own clothes for Barbie out of pieces of fabric, ribbon, elastic bands, and any other bits and pieces she can find. It really has stimulated her imagination in a positive way."

Still other moms, including Calgary mom Becky F., suggested yet another potential Barbie benefit—exposing young girls to diverse career options: "The thing I like about Barbie is that she has so many careers, including more traditionally male-dominated careers. She teaches little girls that they can be anything they want to be.

Want to share your opinion about Barbies, Bratz or other children's toys?

Whether you're interested in debating the merits of Barbie dolls, trading recommendations on Barbie movies, or discussing gender-specific toys, Circle of Moms is home to diverse, age-specific and debating communities where you can connect with other moms about all kinds of parenting topics.

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Summer's just four months away. If you're considering summer camp for your kids, now's the time to plan. (For the truly organized among us, many camps start signing up kids as early as January.)

We love the camp finder created by our friends at Savvy Source. They've gathered hundreds of summer camp options from all over the country and organized them by specialties and schedules. Whether you want to send your child part-time or all summer, whether she's a budding artist, a soccer stud, or a lover of legos and robotics, you'll find some great options here.

Try it out and let us know what you think!

Click here to find a summer camp for your child.

Kids have an abundance of energy so even when mom gets tuckered, she still has to keep her preschool and toddler charges entertained. Here are five lazy games that allow a mama to sneak in a bit of rest and relaxation.

Flash Card Shuffle: Scatter a box of flash cards across the floor and then lounge while asking your tots to find the "letter A" or "zebra" and walk it your way. This gets lil rascals engaged and learning while a wiped out mum has a break.

Pillow Drums: Have a bed or couch full of pillows? Turned on your child's favorite CD and let him play the pillow drums — different sizes and textures create varying sounds when he pats them with his hands.

Movie Time: Rather than just setting your child in front of the boob tube, create a movie theater experience. Have your tots draw up some tickets and hand them in as they take their seats on the couch or pillows and blankets you've laid out on the floor. Then, set out a bowl of popcorn and a tray of theater snacks, dim the lights, press play and settle into a half slumber while your kids enjoy the show.

Pitch a Tent: Wee ones are always up to camp. Pitch a tent in your living room or make a homemade fort with blankets. Pull the drapes and switch off the lights to take day into night. Then, stock the room with your children's wild stuffed animals and hand each kiddo a flashlight for exploring the great indoors.

Freeze Dance: Turn the radio up and let the sweet sounds sweep your youngsters off their feet. Kick your heels up on the couch and take charge of the remote by hitting mute every few minutes to create a fun game of freeze dance. If your children like coming up with their own signature moves, have them strut their stuff in a dance off.

Turn off the boob tube and help your kids go from couch potatoes to outdoorsy types! PlanetExplore helps mom and pop find family activities in their area in a couple of minutes by logging onto the site. Users type their area code and a category from hiking and biking to climbing and camping into the search and wait for results. Events like climbing Oregon's Mt. Hood, a Range Creek archeological overnight in Utah, art lessons at Stoked Sessions LA, and Spruce Gulch Invasive Weed Removal in Colorado are listed. The site is enabled by The North Face, the well-respected active clothing company.