LilSugar

Lil Tip: Step Outside

babysugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:00:49 -0700

Occasionally my 22-month-old daughter will lose her mind over something trivial or even inexplicable. During her tantrums, I have tried to pacify her with a book, a hug, a treat or other items. When none of those work, I have discovered that a change in scenery works best.

The next time your tot throws a fit, consider changing her environment. Take her for a walk around the block or a trip to the grocery. It helps to take wee minds off of whatever was bothering them. Pretty soon, they may forget what it was in the first place.
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First Furious Fit

babysugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:00:15 -0700

They say there's a first for everything. And the other day it was my daughter's first furious fit.

Early in the day, she enjoyed breakfast followed with a hardy nap. When she woke from it, she was more like a crazed animal than my sweet daughter.

To see what happened, read more.

Straight out of the crib, my bookworm babe repeatedly said, "Book!" so I gave her a book. She tossed it across the room and then started whaling, "Boooooooook!" Confused, I kept trying to hand her book after book.

Then, I sat her on my lap and attempted to read her favorite story. She finally calmed down a bit. Thinking the battle was over, I tried to finish dressing her. But, just as soon as the first sock went on, the tears and wails returned - only this round was worse.

Snot was draining as much as her crocodile tears. I took her to my bed in an attempt to lie down and read another book to her. She arched, screamed and writhed around until I finally gave up. Despite her saddened red face, I struggled to put socks and shoes on her tiny feet.

As soon as that task was complete, I took her outside for a walk, which always makes her happy. The fresh air and sunshine were just what the doctor ordered.

Peace was restored – eyes were dry and she was smiling from ear to ear.

I have my suspicions, but will never know what set her off.

Has this ever happened to you? What was your baby's first fit?
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Lil Links: Oh Happy Day For Violet Affleck

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:52 -0800

Violet is a shiny, happy person - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Tom and Suri have a swingin' good time in Boston - Celebrity Baby Blog
Yummy lil pumpkin treats - Momologie
10 reasons why your libido ain't what it used to be - CafeMom
Shopping for your ex with your child - ParentDish
This poop doesn't stink - a diaper recycling plant set to open in the UK - MomLogic
British educators tell girls to face “reality” and accept they may not be able to “have it all” - The Laughing Stork
How do you deal with a temper tantrum in public? - Momversation
Help! My teen wants to be a vegetarian - Health

Are Working Moms Better Bosses?

LilSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:00:14 -0700

Reaching into a briefcase and pulling out a sippy cup instead of a document on deadline is one of the laughs a working mama endures as she juggles office tasks with raising children. Though almost three-quarters of lilsugar readers believe that working moms are treated unfairly on the job, a new book argues that being a parent may make women better bosses.

Shari Storm's Motherhood Is the New MBA: Using Your Parenting Skills to Be a Better Boss, which will be released in September, suggests that bringing the skills we develop as parents into the boardroom gives ladies the confidence to be more effective leaders. Skills like standing one's ground during a temper tantrum and using polite language make mothers more effective on the job. There are many reasons to love being a working mom, but is being a better employee one of them?

Mommy Dearest: Parents Encouraged Beer Swigging Child

LilSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:00:09 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

On the Fourth of July we were sitting at the park waiting for the fireworks to begin when the families on a nearby blanket set up their picnic. One child who was no more than four-years-old started whining and said he wanted a beer instead of his juice box. His whimpers quickly became a full blown temper tantrum and though the mom refused to hand over the bottle, the dad gave in and opened the beverage! The boy took a few swigs and began screaming when his parents tried to take it away. To make matters worse, the father and his friends began snapping photos of the kid drinking, which undoubtedly egged him on. In the end, I think he drank about four or five ounces of the alcohol. I was in disbelief and wanted to call the police, but wasn't sure what to do. Am I overreacting?

– Teetotaling Mommy

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Teetotaling Mommy,

The drinking age in the United States is 21 so what you witnessed was against the law. While a child mistaking a beer for another beverage and taking an accidental sip is one thing, a father handing over a cold one for his preschooler to chug is quite another. Four or five ounces of alcohol is an awful lot for such a small child to drink. And, snapping photos and cheering the tot on is rather odd. I'm curious if the parents were also drinking? In any event, I think it's fair to step in and say something or contact authorities when you believe a child's well-being is in danger and this may have been such a case.

-Mommy Dearest

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

Lil Links: Ana Ortiz Welcomes Daughter Paloma Louise!

babysugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:00:01 -0700

Ana Ortiz has a baby girl! - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Dealing with public temper tantrums - Boston Mamas
A few BBQ novelties - Cookie
Work it in the kitchen - CafeMom
Lord have Mercy - Madonna's newest girl is a doll - Celebrity Baby Blog
Do you chatter about other toddlers? - ParentDish
Can single moms be friends with married moms? - Momversation
What moms should know about tweens and anorexia - Parenting
Make glow rocks with the mini moon men - AlphaMom

Tell Mommy: What Was Your Favorite Parenting Book?

babysugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:00:32 -0700

For their first child, many parents read a plethora of pregnancy and infant books to arm themselves with all the necessary tools of raising babe. While it's important to know about swaddling, breastfeeding, and all of those other topics touched upon in those texts, the learning curve only steepens as the child ages. As the baby grows, so does your library. To help parents navigate their way through temper tantrums, napless days, finicky eating and other typical toddler behaviors, countless authors with varying views have penned their ideas in hopes of throwing a bone to perplexed parents.

Which book helped you wade through the torrential toddler waters?

The Happiest Toddler on the Block ($16)	What to Expect the Toddler Years ($12)
The No-Cry Discipline Solution: Gentle Ways to Encourage Good Behavior Without Whining, Tantrums, and Tears ($12)	Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers ($10)
Toddler 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for your Toddler ($2)	The Girlfriends' Guide to Toddlers ($10)

Would You Buy a Parenting Book From a Real Housewife?

LilSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:00:12 -0800

When the Really Scary Housewives of New York City aired last Spring, most of you were appalled by the women's parenting skills. The series' final episode, in which one of social climber Alex McCord's sons threw a shrieking temper tantrum in the middle of a dinner party while his parents sat idly by, brought out the claws with several of you, suggesting that the family needed to spend more time at home teaching social skills and less time gallivanting about town. We've now heard that Alex, and her husband Simon, are co-writing a parenting book based on their experiences with their own tots.

Given what you have seen of the McCord family on TV, would you consider purchasing their tome?

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Junior Jetset: Let the Library Help You Out

babysugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:00:56 -0700

Hollywood Video has been my friend and foe for my last two family vacations. In an effort to make my travels temper tantrum free, I rented Elmo, Thomas the Train, Tom & Jerry, and Clifford the Dog DVDs. Unfortunately, my trip dates make it impossible to return them on time. The $12 charge is worth the rentals, but the accompanying late fees make it debatable.

On my recent trip to our local library, I stumbled upon a fantastic kiddie DVD selection. Surprised and elated, I asked the clerk about the "check out" policy. You can rent up to six DVDs for a seven day time period - FREE! Anticipating another long travel weekend ahead, I am heading there tomorrow for a slew of cartoon videos to entertain my wee one. Before you run to your local video store, hit your closest library branch.
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Chasing the Dream of Having Children

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:00:13 -0700

Sometimes the shrieking, colic, and sleepless nights cause us to forget how lucky we are to be parents. How bad can a temper tantrum really be when you have a child to hold? Like many moms, I took my pregnancies for granted, accumulating a stack of ultrasound shots and occasionally complaining about heartburn and swollen ankles. But some women clinging to the idea of motherhood would welcome those ailments.

A recent New York Times story focuses on the 10 percent of couples that have trouble conceiving. The aspiring parents that exhaust their emotions, finances, even their marriages hoping to hold a baby of their own. The bleak truth is that those who aren't successful and open to adoption have to face life without offspring. It said:

It is unclear how many women are involuntarily childless. The stigma attached to infertility and living without children pressures many women to remain silent about their struggles, Mrs. Tsigdinos said, adding, “It’s not something you want to drop into conversation at a cocktail party.”

For a women who grew up pushing doll strollers, babysitting, and picking out names for their future children, relinquishing the dream may seem impossible despite scientific reality. It said:

Infertility treatment can be so all-consuming that many women keep trying long after the odds become prohibitive. Those who can accept the possibility that no treatment in the world will allow them to become pregnant may face the best chance of learning to accept a childless life.

So the next time your lil one tries your patience, think about the women who wish they could be in your position.
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