LilSugar

The Gifted Grandparent: Grandpa

babysugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:00:42 -0800

The title "Grandpa" often connotes images of an old man with a cane, glasses and worn out hands. But if 50 is the new 30, then Gramps should act and dress the part, too.

Make sure the man is well groomed with a set of Kiehl's shaving lotions and creams. Your wee one should be begging for kisses from Gramps, not a porcupine.
Keep Grandaddy hip with a timeless pair of Chuck Taylors. The grandchildren will think he's the coolest pop on the block.
For the dapper Pappy, a cashmere tartan scarf will keep him nice and cozy on the outside while giving him warm fuzzies on the inside.

Kiehl's 'Men's Refueling' Kit - $35.50	Converse Chuck Taylor® All Star® Garment Dye Oxford (Men) - $64.95
Cashmere Tartan Scarf - $248.00

What Are the Best Baby Shoes?

babysugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:00:36 -0800

As if they aren't cute enough, babies also get the best footwear. When it comes to covering your lil walker's toes, what type of shoes do you choose?

Soft slippered Robeez, sandal like Crocs, old school Converse, PediPeds to keep up with celebs, Pumas to run in, cub foot bottomed Pazitos, or See Kai Run for more advanced walkers.

With so many brands and styles to choose from, which pair does your lil one wear?

What Is the Appropriate Age For the First Kiss Conversation?

LilSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:59 -0700

While many moms and dads fret about having the birds and the bees conversation with their children, some never broach the topic of the first kiss. Kids' lips can meet in puppy love on the playground or years down the road for late bloomers. In last night's episode of Mad Men, Sally Draper planted a wet one on her friend, Ernie, while the two innocently pretended they were driving in a car as they sat in an empty bathtub. After hearing about the incident, Betty told her daughter, "You don’t kiss boys, boys kiss you. Your first kiss will be very special.” Since smooching happens early - even in preschool these days, when do you think it's the best time for parents to talk about a lip-lock to their tots?

If you have strong opinions on moms of the small screen like Betty Draper, mosey on over to the Television Moms group in the LilSugar Community to discuss topical issues from recent episodes of shows.

Mom-Me Time: Pick Up a Copy of The Help

babysugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:30:49 -0800

If mama's got a few minutes to herself and is looking for something that will take her mind to another world, she needs not look further than this gold and purple hardback book. The Help ($12) is a quick read that will steal her attention and her affection and leave her wanting more. Kathryn Stockett's first novel, the book about the relationships between mothers and the women that help them (nannies in particular) will have mommy laughing out loud, tearing up in the eyes, dog-earring pages with special passages and thinking about how she relates to some of the closest people in her life.

Just pages into the lengthy text and I was hooked. Unlike any book I've read in recent times, the characters in these pages immediately come to life and fully color the imagination. You can picture their hair, dream up their clothes and hear their voices like they're sitting on the bus right next to you. While they may be fictional muses, I wish I could meet them, thank them, reprimand them and have a tall glass of sweetened iced tea with them. Though the book is set back in the early '60s, some of the conversations and lessons are timeless. For the rest of my review, read more.

Centered around the lives of three caretakers, the hired "help" who tend to high society's children may occasionally be called "mama" as they often forge a closer bond with the child than his own mother. And while some women may have their best friends to rely on, the housekeeper frequently knows and cares more than her "best" friends -the phrase "dirty laundry" having a double meaning when it comes to life behind closed doors. In the end, it is a story about women taking extraordinary measures to right some wrongs, even if it means risking it all. Of all the lessons to be learned from this rich novel, the golden rule speaks loudest - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Maybe that's why she wrapped it in a glowing cover.

Before this goes to the theaters, which it surely will, buy it, read it and gift it to everyone you know. It will not disappoint.

Share your favorite books, products, toys and trends with other parents. Join our Product Reviews group over in the LilSugar community!

Tips For Getting Your Child to Open Up About School

LilSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:30 -0800

Afternoons in many preschoolers' households often sound like this:

Mom: "What did you do in school today?"
Child: "I don't remember."
Mom: "What books did the teachers read?"
Child: Silence and a blank stare.

Though many schools provide parents with a preview of the week's activities – or a wrap-up at the end of the week – trying to get your lil one to open up to you about what they did on a particular day can be compared to pulling teeth.

To get the conversation started, try these tips at the end of the next school day.

Don't ask, just tell. Rather than pepper your lil one with questions about her day, tell her about something new or different that you did today. Present it in a way that she can relate to so that she can share about her day, too.
Shake up the routine. Don't ask the same questions in the same order every day. Rotate the questions you ask and how they are presented.
Make it funny. Try telling them about their day by substituting out-of-place details at key points. This should get them talking about what really happened.

To see the rest of our suggestions, read more.

Move beyond yes and no. Questions that simply require a yes or no answer are not going to spark a conversation. Asking about their favorite part of their day or who they sat next to for snack may start a discussion rather than a dead end.
Remove distractions. If your lil one has been in school all day and is now home with his favorite toys, he is more likely to play with his toys than speak. Try to hold the conversation in a space where he won't be distracted.

Do you have any tried-and-true tricks to get your wee ones talking?

10 Most Talked About Topics For New Moms

LilSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:30:26 -0700

Parenthood changes everything including topics of conversation. Chatter that may have once been centered around the latest book, movie, or celebrity gossip is now focused on poop, sleep, and many other unglamorous perks of parenting. Check out the slideshow to see what ten topics new moms can't get enough of.

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Have You Gone "Mommy" on a Stranger?

babysugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:00:56 -0800

Motherhood brings a whole new perspective to a woman's life. Moms jump up to offer their seats to expectant ladies on the bus and rush to aid a lost child at a mall. It is in their nature to fawn over small smiles and get teary when they see a babe in need, but sometimes when they're feeling feisty enough, mamas can huff up and pull out the mommy guns on complete strangers. Mommy may find herself waving her condemning finger in the air and offering "ONE last chance" before all hell breaks loose. In the "Front Door" episode of The Middle, Frankie figuratively takes one of her car shopping customers to school as she berates him for his inability to make a decision and clean up after himself. A conversation that is probably more appropriate for her home works wonders at her job.

Have you ever pulled out the "mummy talk" to get your point across with someone other than your child?

Join our group of Television Moms over in our LilSugar Community!

Eight Easy Ways to Get Your Tot Talking

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:00:50 -0700

At 5 and 2, my kids are two lil chatterboxes who like to talk and talk about almost any topic. As a mom, you can start having conversations with your babe once they are born. It may take them a while to answer, but be patient. The entertaining topics they bring up as they get older are well worth the wait! Check out our slideshow for eight simple ways that you can encourage your tot to use their voice on a daily basis. Source

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Mommy Dearest: Uncensored Friends

LilSugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:00:01 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

My friends love my daughter, and she can't get enough of their stories. The problem is that these single women aren't used to telling the abridged versions of their weekend tales, many of which are not appropriate for a 6-year-old's ears. I don't want to censor them, but I also don't want them talking about "hooking up" or their weight issues in her presence.

- Uncensored Friends

To read the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Uncensored Friends,

Friendships aside, your responsibility is to your daughter and you have every right to request that certain topics like sex and body image issues not be discussed in front of her. Realizing it's in the child's best interest, I'm sure your friends will happily oblige or adopt some Samantha Jones "coloring" code words. If this isn't the case, you might want to leave your lil girl with a sitter the next time you head out for fun with the ladies and adult conversation.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

Photo courtesy of New Line

Texts and Tunes: Halloween Tales to Scare Off Fright

LilSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:30:53 -0700

Halloween can be scary for tots - especially toddlers who have become more aware of their emotions or are afraid of the dark. My daughter acted squeamish around ghosts and goblins her first few Halloweens, so we opted to keep things light with charming costumes and princess fanfare. Talking and reading books about the holiday - minus the gory details - can help scare off fright.

Dr. Seuss What Was I Scared Of Halloween Book? A Glow-in-the Dark Encounter ($12) is a bit spooky, but offers a rhyming conversation to springboard a discussion about fear. If your child is younger, stop by the library or bookstore and opt for a lighter tale like the ones below.

HarperCollins Sneak a Peek Book Series: It's Halloween Night - $6.99	Who's There on Halloween? Board Book - $4.99
Scholastic Here Comes Halloween! Board Book - $7.99	Scholastic Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Ghost of Wuzzleburg Halloween Book - $4.99
Scholastic The Best Halloween Hunt Ever Book - $4.99	Americhip Monsters, Be Gone! Halloween Interactive Book - $4.99
Dr. Seuss What Was I Scared Of Halloween Book? A Glow-in-the Dark Encounter - $11.99	Happy Halloween, Wonder Pets! Book - $7.99
Trick or Treat? Lift-the-Flap Halloween Board Book - $6.99	Biscuit's Pet & Play Halloween - $6.99
Scholastic The Biggest Pumpkin Ever Halloween Book - $4.99	Simon & Schuster Mouse's First Halloween Board Book - $7.99
Disney Classic Scary Story Book - $15.99