LilSugar

Meet Poppy, a New Collection From Coach

Sponsor — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:45:00 -0700

Poppy is a lot like you: smart, creative, playful, and fun. Check out this assortment of Poppy and fly into Summer with new spirit and style. See more Poppy at www.coach.com/poppy

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Sign Up For PopSugar Daily and Win a Coach Planner!

PopSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:45:00 -0800

To kick off the new year in a big way, PopSugar Daily has four weeks of awesome Coach giveaways! Each week we're giving out different fabulous goodies to jump-start 2009 starting with five gorgeous daily planners in black and gold.

To enter, all you have to do is sign up for PopSugar Daily, our newsletter of what's hot to shop, see, or do every day. You'll also get an entry for every friend you invite to sign up for the newsletter. Read the official rules here, keep checking back to see what we're giving away every week and of course, tune in to PopSugar Daily to stay on top of what's hot every day of the week.

Is Your Fearless 3-Year-Old Destined For a Life of Crime?

babysugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:30:20 -0800

Mamas of fearless children often encourage their wild child's eager behavior, but a new study may have them trying to instill a lil fear factor into their lives. Results from a 20-year study show that children who lack the ability to fear may have a dysfunction with their amygdala - the part of the brain linked to fear conditioning, emotions, and one's mental state. Researchers found children who showed no fear were often more likely to go against authorities and find themselves in trouble later in life. In cases where children may show a lack of respect for rules or even the law, parents can help coach their child into a more stable state. According to the study's research associate Yu Gao:

Some at-risk children between the ages of 3 and 5 who have benefited from those programs, which include sound nutrition, adequate physical exercise, and cognitive brain stimulation, had shown an improvement in brain functioning by age 11 that reduced the chances of criminal behavior by 35 percent 20 years later.

While it is not a black and white determining factor, it does bring some interesting insight into the workings of lil brains and what we can do to help steer them clear of harmful habits.

Mommy Dearest: How Should I Deal With Gender Issues?

babysugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:45:44 -0800

Mommy Dearest,

I have a 4-year-old little girl who seems to fit into the stereotypes surrounding children her age; she loves princesses, makeup, and playing with baby dolls. In an effort to get her to branch out, I have signed her up for soccer with other boys and girls her age. At first, the playtime was terrific - boys and girls running elbow to elbow. Then the coach decided to split them up by gender. Kids generally play with their own sex, so I understood his rationale for dividing them, but at this past practice he decided it was time for the boys to play football while the girls still kicked the ball around. When one of the girls asked the coach why the boys got to play football, he said, "The boys have gotten really good at soccer so we're letting them play football. You guys still need to work on your soccer." All of the mothers on the sideline gasped. While the coach may be right, he is already starting to pigeonhole them into the stereotypes that we moms are trying so hard to avoid. They are such an impressionable age and they are already starting to hear that boys are better than them. I would like to talk with the coach about it, but I don't seem to have the right words. Do you have any advice?

- Antistereotype Soccer Mom

To see Mommy Dearest's response, just read more.

Antistereotype Soccer Mom,

Parents are often conflicted with how to share a gender-divided world with their children. It is commendable that you are trying to take actions to show your girly daughter the other facets of life that don't include tutus and lip gloss, but you may find that not everyone is like minded. It seems the coach could use some, er, coaching in stereotyping. He is probably used to straight talk and may appreciate the candor of a sideline mommy. Rather than make a big issue out of it, I'd simply tell him you want the girls to have the same learning experience as the boys. The larger concern at hand would be how he manages to tell the girls about their routine. I would ask him to explain to the girls that they are equal to the boys and ready to roll with the flag-football punches.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on our new community page.

Who Helped You Through Labor?

babysugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:00:51 -0700

While it is quite common for women to have a doctor help them through the birthing process, many mothers-to-be opt for another approach by hiring a doula, midwife, nurse practitioner or personal coach. Some expectant ladies have a whole team for the delivery.

Aside from your partner, who helped you through your labor?

Source

Lil Links: A Mom's Memoir of Sobering Up

babysugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:30:32 -0700

Brave mom documents her struggle to sober up - The Poop
Matt Damon chats about his girls - Celebrity Baby Blog
Check the Fall calendar for these
autumn activities - Cookie
No flu shot for this pregnant lady - CafeMom
Anne Heche and ex-hubby ordered to see a pretty pricey divorce coach - ParentDish
Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany have mastered outrunning the paps - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Get geared up for Talk Like a Pirate Day - Alpha Mom
Teen birth rates higher in religious states - Health

What Classes and Activities Are Your Children Enrolled In?

LilSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Put me in coach! With the school year back in swing for most children, a new season of extra-curricular activities is under way. From athletic teams to the more creative hobbies, after-school programs offer children a chance to burn off some energy, make new friends and learn skills.

Though camps saw a downturn in enrollment this Summer due to the economy, 59 percent of LilSugar readers said they were maintaining their kids' schedule of activities. Heidi Klum was recently spotted picking up Henry from karate class in LA, and we've seen a number of celebrity tots participating in sports. What classes will your kiddos be taking this Fall?

Keep the Bullies at Bay With These Tips

babysugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:00:02 -0700

We all know children can be lil angels, but there are bullies that like to add mischief to the mix. At some point, almost every child comes face to face with a bully. When that moment arrives, it is helpful to know some tips on dealing with the situation. Even better, give your child the advantage by talking about it before he encounters Mr. Bossy.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, children should take these steps when confronted with a bully:

Tell an adult: parent, teacher, coach or neighbor.
Stay in a group - there's security in numbers.
If it is safe, stand up to the bully.
If receiving written communication from him, don't reply.
Join clubs or make other friends where confidence can be gained and safety can be found.

To see what you can do if your child is the bully, read more.

While bullies tend to seem confident and strong, they are often the opposite. Ask them why they tease other children - does it make them feel better about themselves to put others down? Have them put themselves in the other child's shoes and discuss their emotions.

For further tips and videos to demonstrate acts of bullying, visit Stop Bullying Now!

Teachers Teach Mom and Dad a Thing or Two

babysugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:00:36 -0700

The sneakers are glowing and the lunchboxes are fresh. It's time to head back to the little red school house for another year of education. Entering a new classroom promises never before seen math problems, spelling rules and lectures in science for sponge-like brains. While most everyone expects that type of learning, it is sometimes a different lesson that gets moms and dads fired up for a new year. Parents see their children grow every day, but it is a fresh perspective from their child's new teacher than can often offer them a new vantage point into their kiddo's life. An art instructor may spot a budding Van Gogh or the P.E. coach sees the next Mia Hamm. The reading teacher may see a writing future while the math tutor discovers a counting issue that needs special attention. What have you learned from your child's teachers?

Enter to win a $1,000 wardrobe for your child from Tea Collection!

Would You Let Your Hubby Leave During the Pains of Labor?

babysugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0700

The 80s pop icon Ferris Bueller said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." Nothing could be truer - especially for a mother in labor. Sometimes work and other circumstances can keep people from enjoying irreplaceable memories like the birth of a child or the marriage of their first-born. While 63 percent of you said it was inexcusable for a father to miss their child's birth due to work, others believed in some cases it was completely acceptable. Telling her own story, Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh recently said:

I started my contractions the night before and just labored through the night and kissed my husband goodbye. He had to go play in a tournament... Casey got home around 5 pm and my water broke around 5:05 and then we went straight to the hospital... My husband was a really great coach and little Joey came out at 7:14 pm.

Lucky for Kerri, hubby Casey Jennings made it on time - but many women wouldn't let their partners step foot out the door as they suffered through contractions of a first birth. Would you let your spouse jet while you were in labor?