LilSugar

Texts and Tunes: Spring Into Reading

babysugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0700

Since today is the first day of Spring, I thought I'd suggest some cheery, floral laden books for your tot's library.

To see a few of our family faves, read more.

Bunny Kisses ($10): A take on Pat the Bunny, this board book has a "kiss" button that your wee one will delight in pushing at every page.
Wake Up! It's Spring! ($16): As the sun warms the earth, lil creatures from all over are ready to shout, "Spring is here!" The sweet story truly is a blissful celebration of Spring.
It's Spring ($8): Linda Glaser wrote this delightful tale that beautifully illustrates welcoming Spring. The paper–cut images are inspiring for young artists. And at the end of the story, the author provides a list of outdoor activities for youngsters.
Caterpillar Spring, Butterfly Summer ($8): A smart way to introduce your tot to nature and the transition of seasons, this brightly crafted text shows a caterpillar's adventure as he starts as a tiny thing and turns into a beauteous winged creature.
Planting a Rainbow ($7): Help jump start your babe's color knowledge and green thumb by reading this vibrant tale to your sweetheart. Soon enough, the whole family will enjoy a jaunt in the garden.

Look Who's Expecting: Tiffani Thiessen and Brady Smith

babysugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:42:13 -0800

It looks like the Peach Pitt clan has another baby to add to the brood. Actress Tiffani Thiessen and hubby Brady Smith are expecting their first baby this Spring. Her rep told People:

We are over the moon! It's something we've wanted for a long time and we are thrilled that it's actually happening.

It wasn't that long ago when the mama-to-be chatted about putting motherhood on hold for her career. She said, "I don’t want to spring a pregnancy on a brand new show that I just got on." Well, apparently her secret has sprung and now we'll have to wait and see how they manage her bump into the White Collars story line. Will they work it into her character or hide it away behind bags and pizza boxes?

Will Just Kate Plus Eight Still Capture Your Attention?

LilSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:31 -0700

Get ready for some more changes in the Gosselin household. While Jon and Kate work out the details of their divorce, the network that airs the show, TLC, just announced that the program will take a new direction this Fall. Jon will no longer be a fixture on the televised portion of the children's lives and the show is being renamed Kate Plus Eight beginning in November.

The twins and sextuplets will continue to be the focus of the program with Kate's new life as a single mother receiving more air time. Since the couple's separation, the mama has told audiences that she is learning to do things on her own – like setting up camping tents and taking all of the youngsters on a beach vacation. The show's ratings have been in a steady decline since the fifth season premiered last Spring. To see what the network had to say about that read more. According to TLC president Eileen O'Neill:

Given the recent changes in the family dynamics, it only makes sense for us to refresh and recalibrate the program to keep pace with the family. The family has evolved and we are attempting to evolve with it; we feel that Kate’s journey really resonates with our viewers.

Though Jon and Kate haven't sat together on the family's "confessional couch" in several months, the loss of Jon from the program eliminates the male perspective about the kids' growth. Will you continue to tune in?

Can't get enough of the Gosselins? For more on the whole crew, visit the Jon and Kate Plus 8 group over in our LilSugar community!

Source: TLC

Did You Put Your Baby Plans on Hold For Your Career?

babysugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:01:32 -0700

The tug of war between family and work can be challenging. Some women are anxious to get pregnant as soon as they find a partner to procreate with, while others enjoy couples life and pursue career goals before settling down to a life of three or more. Such is the case with Tiffani Thiessen and her hubby of four years. On the subject of babies, the 35-year-old White Collar actress recently said:

We’ve talked about it, but the show started, so we’re going to wait and try to figure out when the best time is. . . . I don’t want to spring a pregnancy on a brand new show that I just got on.

Did you put your family planning on hold for your career or vice versa?

Has the Economy Affected Your Child's Extracurriculars?

babysugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0700

It's the economy stupid! Families across the country are using that excuse to cut out all sorts of expendable ventures. Sixty-seven percent of lilsugar readers admitted to cutting back on date night. But what about the kids? When it comes to budgeting for the youngsters, a new survey reported:

Nearly half of the 399 sleep-away and day camps polled in the American Camp Association's 2009 Spring-enrollment survey reported decreases of 10 percent to 15 percent, with the economy cited as a key reason.

Children accustomed to a schedule full of activities are finding themselves having to (gasp!) entertain themselves like never before. Have you cut out your tot's extracurricular activities since the economic downturn?

Kiddie Wellness: Fifth Disease

LilSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:29:36 -0700

Spring brings about a new set of cooties and concerns for parents of preschoolers. In addition to tree and pollen allergies, mamas need to be on the lookout for Fifth disease. A contagious virus, Fifth disease typically takes its form as a rash on a child's face – often referred to as a "slapped-cheek" rash – as well as a lacy-looking rash on the body's trunk and limbs accompanied by a low-grade fever.

According to A.D.A.M.:

Fifth disease is caused by human parvovirus B19. It often affects preschoolers or school-age children during the Spring. The disease is spread by contact with respiratory secretions and usually return for 5 days. However, the rash associated with fifth disease may return for several weeks. Return of the rash may be brought on by sunlight, heat, exercise, fever, or emotional stress.

Unfortunately, the virus is considered contagious before the rash appears, so most parents are unaware that their child is sick at that point, and continue to send their lil ones to school. While the virus does not require any treatment other than a fever reducer, it is important that pregnant women who come in contact with it contact their doctors immediately as it can have a negative affect on unborn children.

Source

Win One of Five Serena & Lily Spring Slings!

LilSugar — Mon, 11 May 2009 07:00:54 -0700

It's Spring so pop your babe in a sling and get outside and enjoy the great outdoors! Toting your tot in a carrier allows them a close physical connection while keeping mama's hands free. We've partnered with our friends at Serena & Lily to give readers the chance to win one of five fabulous organic Prague Market Slings ($129). Throughout the entire month of May, Serena & Lily will donate care packages to homeless children through Project Night Night for each Market Sling sold.

To enter, you must log in and take the quiz below. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just by completing the fun quiz once you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member and log in before you take the quiz. If you're not already a member, just register here for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored.

The contest is open to US residents only and ends on May 15, 2009, at 11:59 p.m. (PDT). For Official Rules, click here.

Take the quiz

Ways to Celebrate Mother's Day on a Budget

babysugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Mother's Day is Sunday! While children and fathers are scrambling to paint a piece of pottery and buy the right card before the day arrives, drop them one of these economical hints! Instead of treating you to a swanky spa day, tell them the lady of the house would appreciate a festivity that doesn't involve breaking the bank. Or pamper your own mother with one of these activities:

Picked flowers only last so long. Forgo a trip to the florist and take mom to the botanical gardens where the entire family can enjoy the brilliant blossoms.
Rather than taking mom out to the movies, rent her favorite classic flick and stock up on her candy cravings. When the kids are sent to bed, she can relax in pure peace and pleasure.
Who needs a five-star hotel when camping is an option? Pack up the tent, campfire tools and a satchel for a night in the wilderness. Spoil her with s'mores and hot chocolate while soaking up all that nature has to offer.

To see other ways to celebrate mum, read more.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Mama always appreciates being served breakfast in bed by her loved ones.
Ditch the pricey country club brunch and pack a picnic with the kids for a jaunt to the local park.
Kids love to paint! Soak mommy's toes and hands in warm bubbles and allow the rascals to color her toes and fingers. It won't be perfection, but it will be adoration.
Check the local outdoor venues to see if there is a free symphony or opera in the park.
Take her out to the ballgame! Sporty mamas will love a family day with her boys of Spring.

Source

Blast Back From the Past: Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine

LilSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:18:09 -0700

I have a friend who loves to tell me about the time she convinced her aunt to buy her the Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine, only to have her mom immediately take it back to the store because she had been forbidden to have it. With Spring in the air and the hint of a warm Summer to come, I am always reminded of her story when I see lil ones lining up at the ice cream truck for their rainbow snow cones.

The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine ($17) is still being made and looks just like the original one from the early '80s (though the plastic is not quite as sturdy this time around). While it does require a lot of work to grind up the ice, the kit comes with favored syrups/mixes and an ice scoop shovel for making authentic icy treats that will have tots lining up on your doorstep on humid days.

Interview With Chandra Wilson: Star Talks Child Safety

LilSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:00:13 -0700

We know and love her as the no nonsense Dr. Miranda Bailey on ABC's Grey's Anatomy, but in real life Chandra Wilson is a working mother of three -Serena, 15, Joy, 10, and Michael, 3, - just trying to get it right. The acclaimed actress signed on as the spokesperson for OTCsafety.org's campaign to educate herself and fellow parents on the safe use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications. We recently had the opportunity to chat with the celebmama via phone. To see what she had to say about keeping cold syrup away from her young son and how she balances work and motherhood, read more.

Q. The recommendation is to keep medications out of reach and sight of children. Does that mean mothers should not open the container in front of their children when pouring the dose?
Chandra Wilson: I know I certainly have done that. My son will be in his room and I'll bring the medicine in and then take it away. Now he's a smart kid so I'm sure he knows where it is, but it's not worth the effort to try and go for it. The sight recommendation is really about storing things away from their level. We want to think out of sight, out of mind. Don't store medicine in the place where they get their toothbrush in the morning.

Q. Is there any recommendation against pouring medicine into your kid's beverage? Many moms disguise their children's meds in orange juice or milk.:
Chandra Wilson: My instinct is to say that since it's not recommended that way on the label, then that's not what we should do.
OTCsafety.com: Parents need to make sure the child gets the exact dose recommended on the label or intended. And, there are some interactions that medicines have with certain foods.

Q. Spring break and Summer vacation are coming up and lots of mothers openly admit to giving their children Benadryl on airplanes. Are their fatalities or statistics associated with this practice or is misuse the general area of concern?
OTCsafety.org: What we call serious from being injured or rushed to the hospital to a fatality and though it is extremely rare, they do occur. In the most upfront research, those circumstances are generally because of misuse or kids getting a hold of medicine when their parent isn't around. Parents should not be using medicines to sedate their children. Make sure you also get that message to your babysitter and daycare center.
Chandra Wilson: Here's my non medical contribution to that. Even if your next door neighbor says it works for them, that is their child and they may react different than your child does. The recommendation to read the labels and treat symptoms rather than behavior makes absolute sense. We have to be careful where we get our advice from. Kids who haven't had adverse reactions from misuse of medication have lucked out.

Q. How do you balance work and motherhood?:
Chandra Wilson: Unfortunately, there's no magic to it. It's just the same dilemma that all working mothers and all where you assemble a support team so things are taken care of as far as who is getting to school and picked up. Fortunately, if one of the kids is on Spring break then they are able to come to work with me and that's not always the case. I put a plan in place at the beginning of the day and then make room for the human factor and at the end of the day I say, "Woohoo, I made it!" Some days it's going to work perfectly and other days we have to make some adjustments and it's the thing that we all do and we can't give up. We just get up and do it over again the next day.

Source