LilSugar

The Breakfast Club for Fathers

LilSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:00:43 -0700

Women have their Mommy friends, but what about dads? Fathers may be taking a bigger role in raising their offspring, but many are still given the once over by mom cliques at the playground. One group of work-from-home dads in New York started a get together on their own terms - far from the sandbox and without tots in tow.

The men whose children attend P.S. 234 have formed a breakfast club and the characters don't even slightly resemble Emilio Estevez and Molly Ringwald. The New York Times reported that these men - a photographer, a sculptor, a screenwriter - who have been breaking toast over eggs and bacon for the past four years have nannies, housekeepers and high powered wives. The gathering is a way for the men to chat about current issues, cars and kids. It said:

But the dads have no compunction about taking a leisurely break from diapering and spending some of the family’s hard-earned money in the process. “All these fathers are actually really good fathers,” said Mr. Katz, who recently oversaw the birth of his fourth son (and made it to breakfast with the guys 14 hours later). “We do more parenting than our type-A wives and feel we’re justified.”

Would you encourage your husband to participate in this kind of a group?
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Atlantis Adventure: Is It a Destination For Your Family?

LilSugar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:00:58 -0800

It's better in the Bahamas! As we hunker down for six more weeks of Winter, a Caribbean getaway sounds like heaven. Many island hotels are offering last-minute deals to escape from the cold, but how do you know if one is right for your family? As guests of Atlantis, JetBlue, and LEGO, we got an inside look at what the resort is doing to accommodate families.

A beautiful and expansive resort, Atlantis is situated on picturesque Paradise Island, a 40-minute drive from the Nassau airport. With four distinctive rooming options, we were situated in the Royal Towers, the resort’s original accommodations, where a standard room with two double beds provided plenty of space (and gorgeous views) to spread out and relax. While I would have loved to stay in the more luxurious and hip Cove area, it has a strict "no children" policy, which is probably best given its outdoor bars and gambling.

Atlantis’s water park, Aquaventure, has 141 acres of water slides, lazy rivers, pools, and sprinklers that are second to none. Three of the resort’s 11 pools are designed specifically for kids, with zero-barrier entries, in-pool jungle gyms, and ample lifeguards. Most of the park’s 18 water slides are for kids over 48 inches, though there are a handful created with lil ones in mind (you wouldn’t want your little ones on the bigger slides - trust me!). But if your tyke is anything like mine (and the dozens of others I observed), the rapid river ride, The Current, is perfect.

To hear about our favorite parts of the resort, as well as the low points, read more.

By far the highlight of our visit was the shallow water dolphin interaction. The hour-long Dolphin Cay experience included kissing the dolphins, learning about their mating habits, and watching their water show. My son is still talking about it. We were equally impressed with the pristine white sand beaches.

In the evenings, the resort has plenty of activities to occupy youngsters with its own version of Build-A-Bear, pottery painting, remote control car building and racing, and free nightly movies.

Where the resort seems to be lacking is in its dining options. Food at the resort is expensive, very expensive. To curb the costs, Atlantis offers two dining plans starting at $75 per day for adults and $35 for children over 6 years old. We tried several of the restaurants on the plan and, save a bountiful breakfast buffet, found the food to be mediocre. If I were to do it on my own, I would forgo a dining plan, stock up on cereal for the room, eat poolside for lunch, and save my money for dinner at the resort's more notable restaurants.

In all, Atlantis is a luxurious destination for those with money to spare (current promotions start at 5 days/4 nights for $499 per adult) . With the water park, animal interactions, AKA kids club, and a LEGO fantasy camp that is debuting this Summer (featuring building activities, the dolphin interaction, beach games, and more), there are plenty of activities to keep families busy. Parents with kids over 48 inches will be able to enjoy the bulk of Atlantis's amenities, but even families with smaller kids can experience the best of what the resort has to offer.

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Favorite Movie Parents From John Hughes Films

babysugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:00:12 -0700

The imagination and creativity that one must have to create some of pop culture's biggest icons for an entire decade (and then some) is mind-blowing. A cinematic genius and a pop prodigy, John Hughes had the wit and imagination that took movie-goers to a new frontier. Who could forget Mr. Rooney and the gummy bear? Or the Pixie Sticks in the Breakfast Club and the headgear in Sixteen Candles? The talented writer/director had a way of making the viewers connect to his characters - for better or worse. While many of his films were based on teens, he crafted some priceless parents in most of his works of art. Check out the slideshow to see who our favorite moms and dads are in the late artist's movies and vote for your favorite. And to Mr. Hughes, thanks for all of the laughs, memories, and inspiration.

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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.

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