LilSugar

Tell Us All About Your Favorite Products in Our Review Group

LilSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:30:05 -0800

It's a-okay to pick a favorite...product, book or toy that is. When it comes to testing goods we know mother does know best, which is why we want you to join our Product Reviews group and share your experiences with other mamas. That way we can help all new moms enter the boutique knowing Cybex 2.Go combines the best of all baby carriers.

Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Our LilSugar Community offers a place for you to hang out, vent, brainstorm, and showcase your talents. What fits your fancy? Check out and join some of our hottest groups!

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!

Cybex 2.Go Combines Best of All Baby Carriers

LilSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:00:30 -0700

Wear your baby in style! Though Baby Bjorn made carriers mainstream, companies like Ergo, LilleBaby and Belle, not to mention all of the sling manufacturers, have given mothers many options.

When we took our first look at the European import Cybex last Spring, we were interested in the 2.Go baby carrier – a cross between the Baby Bjorn and Ergo that comes in bright colors. Working with orthopedists and midwives, the company designed the carrier to place 70 percent of the weight distribution on the hips, rather than the back and shoulders. With five different carrying positions – allowing parents to use it when their child is between eight and 40 pounds – the 2.Go proves versatile.

To see what really impressed us, as well as some photos of how the 2.Go works, read more.

The 2.Go's seat and headrest can be expanded to accommodate growing bodies - with a simple unzip, the seat converts into the spread-squat position that doctors recommend for infants. The zipper can also be closed to move the hips closer together for older tots. The well-padded straps didn't dig into my shoulders and the removable bib made for easy laundering. The all-in-one carrier also makes it an economical purchase for mamas tightening their purse strings!

Rating:

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

Lil's Top Three Favorite New Mom Shows!

LilSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:33 -0700

Set your DVR or put the kids to bed early so you can turn on the boob tube and enjoy some mom-me time watching LilSugar's three favorite new mom shows! After hearing all the hype about the networks' most anticipated sitcoms and dramas that centered around matriarchs, we tuned in and then narrowed down the choices to our top three must sees. Check out our picks! Drum roll please . . .
Second Runnerup: The Middle
Why we like it: Patricia Heaton is back on the small screen as Frankie Heck, a mom of three who has more than her share of realistic haggard-mom moments.
Why we love it: While all of the characters are lovable, Brick's creepy habits, from talking in a low voice to "soothe" himself to copping feels on his teacher, make him the center of attention. Just when a viewer's skin begins to crawl, the youngster tells his mom that she's his hero, and it's impossible not to melt.
Rating:

To see which shows got the second and top spots, read more.
First Runnerup: The Good Wife
Why we like it: We've all wondered why real-life women like Elizabeth Edwards and Silda Spitzer stood by their men despite being humiliated. Julianna Margulies's character, Alicia Florrick, give us a better understanding.
Why we love it: Alicia is both a strong and sympathetic woman. While her circumstance is one most women hope to never find themselves in, Alicia is someone we all can relate to, because despite the enormity of some of her issues, she also deals with the everyday stuff like protecting her children from the media, enduring an overbearing mother-in-law, and competing with co-workers half her age at the office.
Rating:

Best New Mom Show: Modern Family
Why we like it: The sitcom showcases three related families: a "traditional" couple raising three tween and teenagers, December/May newlyweds who have a young son, and gay partners with an adopted baby girl.
Why we love it: The show had us in stitches through its entirety. Each family has been so carefully crafted that there's no clear favorite. And, in all of the hilarity, there are sentimental moments interspersed that hit viewers in their heartstrings. Rating:

If you have strong opinions on other moms of the small screen, mosey on over to the Television Moms group on the LilSugar Community, a place to discuss the parenting styles and practices of the small screen's matriarchs along with the topical issues from recent episodes of shows.
Photos copyright 2009 ABC, Inc. and Photo courtesy of CBS

The Hecks Are Perfectly Imperfect on The Middle

LilSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:00:10 -0700

For every woman that has ever had a haggard mom moment, you'll find a new hero in Frankie on The Middle. ABC's new comedy debuted last night offering viewers equal parts laughter and a reality check. Patricia Heaton plays a stressed out Midwest mother of three who balances her work as a used car salesman (who has yet to sell a vehicle) and raising her odd offspring. While lots of ladies dream of their kids becoming the best and brightest, Frankie who questions her maternal skills with Axl, Sue and Brick, would just appreciate a day without upset.

As the middle aged mama and her husband, Mike, parent the eclectic trio you can't help but crack up. Axl trudges around the house in his underwear, Sue is a mess who fails at everything and Brick's backpack is his best friend. While all of the characters are lovable, Brick's creepy habits from talking in a low voice to "soothe" himself to copping feels on his teacher make him the center of attention. Just when a viewer's skin begins to crawl, the youngster tells his mom that she's his hero and it's impossible not to melt. The Middle showcases all the things that go wrong in life and makes us appreciate them. After a long day of real life, mothers will find comic relief (and perspective!) while watching this sitcom.

if you've got strong opinions on other moms of the small screen, mosey on over to the Television Moms group on the LilSugar Community, a place to discuss the parenting styles and practices of the small screen's matriarchs along with the topical issues from recent episodes.

Photo courtesy of ABC

The Good Wife Is a Must Watch for Mothers

LilSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:30:20 -0700

To say that Alicia Florrick from CBS's new show is The Good Wife is an understatement. After her politician husband Peter (Chris Noth) is embroiled in a sex scandal, she publicly appears with him. We've all wondered why real-life women like Elizabeth Edwards and Silda Spitzer stood by their men despite being humiliated. In Tuesday's episode, Alicia explains how she could never understand their behavior until she was in the situation. She says:

"How can you allow yourself to be used like that? And, then it happened and I was . . . unprepared."

Julianna Margulies is remarkable in her role as the wronged wife and former lawyer who returns to work after a long hiatus to become the family breadwinner during her husband's incarceration. To see why I think the show is a must watch for mothers, read more.

While the character's circumstance is one most women hope to never find themselves in, Alicia is someone we all can relate to because despite the enormity of some of her issues, she also deals with the everyday stuff like protecting her children from the media, enduring an overbearing mother-in-law, and competing with co-workers half her age at the office. The character has been crafted so it's impossible not to sympathize with and respect her. Who could forget the poignant opening scene where she slaps Peter after exiting the press conference? I'm anxious to see how the show unfolds and consider it a must see for mothers this Fall. What's your opinion?

Tonight we'll be tuning in to Fall's other hot mom shows, so follow LilSugar's live tweets as we watch ABC's Modern Family and Cougar Town!

Photo courtesy of CBS

CBS's Accidentally on Purpose Pales in Comparison to Book

LilSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:30:03 -0700

Mary Pols's Accidentally on Purpose made me laugh, cry, and relate. I rooted for the 39-year-old film critic and her baby daddy, Matt, as I read the author's witty account of her unplanned journey into motherhood. Considering the book to be the mama of all pregnancy must reads, I even gifted it to several expecting friends. So last night, I sat on my couch crossing my fingers that CBS's new sitcom based on the text would live up to my expectations. It didn't even come close. Here's why.

I couldn't wrap my mind around Jenna Elfman as Billie - I kept seeing Dharma and her over-the-top antics, but no Greg.
Twenty-one minutes passed before I laughed.

For the rest of my observations, read more.

The stereotypical characters on the small screen lacked the depth of those in the text. Billie is a haphazard cougar on the prowl and Zack (Jon Foster) is an overgrown kid with poor pickup lines and idiot friends, a big stretch from the endearing 20-something in the book that got a woman several years his senior in the sack.
The season premiere was rushed. In a single episode, we saw the demise of Billie's relationship with James (Grant Show), her rebound fling with Zach, the two move in together and a nursery concocted.

I won't be watching the show again . . . unless the network saves the one-dimensional sitcom by hiring Pols as head writer. What's your opinion?

Lil's still holding out hope for Fall's other hot-mom shows, so tune in tonight and follow LilSugar's live tweets as we watch The Good Wife!
Photo courtesy of CBS

LeapFrog's Zippity Brings Full-Body Gaming to Preschoolers

LilSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:00:11 -0700

Dance Dance Revolution sparked a worldwide rhythm and dance craze when it launched in Japan a decade ago. Since then, game console manufacturers like Nintendo and Sony have created dozens of videos merging exercise and gaming for adults and teens alike. With the Zippity Learning System ($80), LeapFrog delivers the concept to the preschool set.

The TV-based gaming system brings some of The Disney Channel's most popular characters – like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Winnie the Pooh and Handy Manny – to combine upper- and lower-body movements with educational concepts.

To see what we liked about the Zippity system and what left us wondering, read more.

The Zippity system allows kids to choose from eight games that either use an interactive mat for lower-body movement or a waist-high joystick for upper-body activity. The games, such as a Mickey Mouse version of Simon Says and a Handy Manny version of song creation, encourage number, shape, directional and color recognition. While some of the games are more movement-oriented than others, they all do encourage the participant to be active. The great graphics and variety of games are perhaps the best features of the system, as lil ones can work on several different skills throughout their play. Each game has two levels of play, meaning the system is designed to grow with them – but we found that a 3-year-old was already well-advanced for the first level of most of the included games, leaving us wondering just how long he would be able to play with a set geared toward 3-6-year-olds.

Kids Can Get Into the Wii Action With Pet Rescue!

babysugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:00:55 -0700

When Nintendo branded its latest video game technology, the Wii, it must have had families in mind. Moms can do yoga, dads can practice golf swings, teens can bounce to Rock Band, and now the wee ones can get involved with games like Knowledge Adventure's JumpStart's Pet Rescue ($40). Preschool-age tots who are awestruck by their older siblings slinging the remote around the living room can do the same as they search for lost pets in an adventurous learning environment. And while it may be geared towards a younger crowd, it hasn't stopped the more mature sisters from sneaking on to enjoy the animal exposition.

To see what we liked about it and what left us wondering, read more.

Like any other Wii game, youngsters can explore their imagination as they create a unique avatar and accompanying pets. Once the character is set in motion, players experience a jaunt to the virtual library and down a water slide all whilst improving memory, listening and motor skills. During their journey, they will also unknowingly practice pre-reading skills. Give a kid a workbook or a video game that both have the same goal and I'd bet the lass will choose the latter. Possibly the best feature of the game is that children get to keep and care for their rescued pets, which entails feeding, grooming, training and playing with them. It is a valuable life lesson and it may keep the lil guys from begging for a real dog. Hallelujah! That's music to many a mom's ears. The only tough part of the game is getting an early stage preschooler to manage the remote. Though it is targeted for tots age 3 to 6, in my control group, it was the 5 and 7-year-old who enjoyed it most.

Things to Make Mom Smile

babysugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:30:18 -0700

Try as we might, moms know that sometimes we just can't do it all. That's why we get by with a little help from some rad baby and mommy products. For starters, I'll buy just about anything that promises to make me rest well so that my parenting capabilities are top notch every morning. I have found the Beauty SilkZzz pillow helps me do that. And while I can make a decent Rice Krispie treat with the basics, the Milk and Krunchies desserts are far superior and I don't even have to clean up. Check out my other picks!

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