LilSugar

Tell Mommy: What Was Your Child's First Word?

LilSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:00:12 -0700

"Dada" often comes out of the mouths of babes before "Mama," but for every child whose first word is "mommy" or "daddy," it seems there's another tot that picks a random one like "truck" or "ravioli." Both my daughter and son's first words were "Hi," which leads me to believe that they will be incredibly friendly people, or just that my husband and I use the greeting all too often. As parents we eagerly await the thoughts that spill out our children's mouths. What was your child's first word?

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Five Books For Pre-Reading With Preschoolers

babysugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:00:19 -0700

Learning to read means more than just recognizing letters and their sounds on a page. It also involves vocabulary and comprehension of what you are reading. The 43 percent of LilSugar readers who taught their tots to read know that there are many different pre-reading activities that will put a lil one on the path to enjoying a book on their own.

In addition to showing your lil reader how words appear on a page, it is helpful to read them classic chapter books that they can sit back and enjoy. By reading them one chapter a night, mama will teach them about plot and characters and instill a love of storytelling that will last a lifetime. Some great first chapter books for preschoolers include:

10 Things Mothers Should Teach Their Sons

LilSugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:03 -0700

There's a special bond between mothers and sons. Women raising boys have the power to shape the next generation of men and those to come by teaching their kids important lessons.

To express his emotions because bottling them up eventually makes a person explode.
To say "ladies first," hold doors open for women, and give his date the jacket off his back when he or she is cold because the world is moving forward in wonderful ways but that doesn't mean chivalry has to die.
To put the toilet seat down after he pees, change his sheets frequently, learn to cook, and do laundry.
To channel his energy through sports, art, dance, the written word - whatever his passion may be.
That even the biggest fight should be settled with the mind rather than fists.
That not following the group doesn't make him a loser, but his own leader.
To stick up for the underdog even if it makes him an outcast.
That he has the power to make an amazing difference in life.
To worry less about whether she's proud of him and more about having pride in himself.
Smiles are free so be generous with them.

NBC's Parenthood Addresses Asperger's Syndrome

LilSugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:09:29 -0800

We've been anticipating the premiere of Parenthood, and it was well worth the wait! Though the first episode packed quite a punch covering everything from frozen sperm, biological clocks, and quasi-engagements to divorce and dating as a newly single parent, it was a scene about Asperger's syndrome that left me with a lump in my throat. Both the words "Asperger's" and "autism" have become so viral in recent years that many people have become almost immune to their impact. But Ron Howard and Brain Grazer's new series doesn't talk about the developmental disorder so much as it shows its effects in a single compelling scene between three generations of Braverman men - Craig T. Nelson (Zeek), Peter Krause (Adam), and Max Burkholder (Max) - when Adam tells his father that there is "something wrong with his son" outside a school event when the child is puddle jumping. Perhaps the scene seems so authentic because it's been reported that writer/executive producer Jason Katims has a son with Asperger's. What did you think of the way it was portrayed?

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Third Time May Be the Charm

LilSugar — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:30:47 -0800

A mother, a father, a son, and a daughter - what could be better? Hollywood's picture of the perfect family usually involves one child of each gender. Television and movies often perpetuate the image - you have Brenda and Brandon from the original 90210, Serena and Eric on Gossip Girl, and Ross and Monica on Friends. But a balance between the sexes isn't always in the cards. While there are countless myths about influencing the sex of a child, and science may allow parents to undergo procedures to determine a baby's gender, most parents are simply happy to have healthy children in their arms.

That doesn't always stop prying friends and family from asking about future children. When a colleague recently gave birth to her second son, the first words out of a friend's mouth were, "Now you can try for the girl!" She has been stopped by people on the street commenting how special the relationship is between a mother and daughter and someone even asked her if she was sorry she saved all of her Barbie dolls from her childhood.

If you had two boys or girls did you - or would you - have a third child in hopes of bringing a child of the opposite gender into the family?

We want to hear your shocking, funny, embarrassing, and insightful pregnancy and motherhood stories. Create a post and tell us all about it in our Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? group.

Eco-Conscious Playdates Make a Splash

LilSugar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:00:36 -0800

Imagine a baby's first sentence including words like "reduce, reuse, and recycle." As we raise a new generation of eco-conscious citizens, it might not be too far-fetched an idea. With playrooms stocked with eco-friendly wooden toys, nursery closets filled with organic cotton clothing, and freezers stocked with homemade, all natural organic purees, our lil ones are learning about their impact on the earth from the moment they enter the world.

So, it's no surprise that the green movement is now invading tot's playdates. Companies like the NYC-based Unplugged on a Rug host eco-guided play sessions that feature toys, songs, and activities designed to teach even the youngest kids about the importance of living a green lifestyle. Using recycled toys such as yogurt containers and cardboard boxes, age-appropriate storybooks, and cute songs about eco-conscious living, the playdates aim to educate through play.

Would you seek out a green-oriented playdate for your baby?

Best of 2009: Favorite Baby Girl Name

babysugar — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:30:38 -0800

It looks like the Garner-Afflecks are running away with the LilSugar 2009 Sugar Awards thus far. It's not surprising that the baby who won best celebaby addition would also be awarded the best name. When asked which baby girls' name was the favorite among readers, Seraphina took first place with 35 percent of the vote. A Latin word, the pretty moniker originates from seraphim, which means fiery one. Coming in second was Ellen Pompeo's choice of Stella Luna. Next in line was Naleigh, which is a combination of Katherine Heigl's mom's and sister's names.

Add Your Lil Cutie to Your Community Account!

LilSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:30:44 -0800

Nothing makes a mother's day like seeing her mini me's mug. Share pictures of your kiddos by adding them to your profile! And let us know what makes your tot unique from their favorite foods to their first words and what they like to do for fun. Follow these simple steps to add your child or children to your profile. The bonus of adding your children to your account is an automatic membership to the Kids group in the LilSugar Community where you can meet other mamas and their youngsters!

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.

What Do You Know About Baby Talk?

LilSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:00:08 -0800

No doubt about it, moms and dads can hardly wait to hear their babe's first words. While there are some great things you can do to encourage language development in babies, the main thing most tots need is a little time. Before stressing about your little one's speech (or lack thereof) take this quiz to see how well you know baby talk.

Take the quiz