LilSugar

Keeping Children of Working Moms Fit and Healthy

babysugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:00:05 -0700

Pack your bags working moms, we're going on a guilt trip. As if there's not enough blame to push on the working mother, a new report came out giving those of us in the work force another reason to feel self-conscience for bringing home some bacon. A British study found that children of working mums spent more time watching television and had poorer eating habits than their peers with stay-at-home moms. While that may be the case, there are ways to skirt that issue. For instance, when I found out my nanny was taking my daughter to the bakery every day for a cookie, I thanked her for the kind gesture and then kindly asked her to refrain from the tasty pastry stop unless it was for a special occasion. Where there's a will, there's a way, which means parents may have to put forth the extra effort to set up guidelines for the caretaker but it is by no means a given that a working mommy's child should be less fit and healthy than its counterparts.

Do you have certain restrictions outlined for your nanny?

Are Working Moms Making Women Less Attractive Hires?

babysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:20 -0800

There's hardly a more exciting time in someone's life than when they discover they are willfully pregnant. Most mamas-to-be want to scream it from the mountain tops but there's usually one ear they'd like to shield - their boss's. Many women try to hide their expectant status until it is blatantly obvious to co-workers and their higher-ups because they don't know how their news will be received. Before she can give a due date, employers' minds are ticking: Who can replace her? Will she come back? Do we even need her? While those are all valid questions, it is often up to the childbearing woman to make those decisions, which is why some are wondering if motherhood is making women more unemployable.

The Vogue UK Editor Alexandra Shulman has sparked a debate that will leave many moms angry and others nodding their heads in agreement. Worried about Britain's maternity leave laws, she believes new mothers may be doing themselves a disservice if they take a year-long leave and then expect to return to the same benefits as before but with lower professional expectations. British designer Anya Hindmarch supports her view. She quips:

If we are not careful (and I speak as a mother and an employer), maternity leave and benefits will become too biased towards the mother and not considerate enough for the employer... In which case, it can start to work against women as it becomes too complicated and expensive to employ them. To me, it shouts of shooting ourselves in the foot.

Do you believe that longer maternity leave and flexible work schedules are working against women in the workplace?

The Pleasures of Placenta Keep Expanding

babysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:32 -0800

Often called the "tree of life," placentas are known to have special healing powers for postpartum moms and some even believe they have a way with spirits. Taye Diggs's wife Irina had hers turned into pills while Camila Alves and Matthew McConaughey had plans to plant theirs under a tree. Some, like myself, told the doctors to take it to a place never to be seen again. Perhaps I should have saved mine and sold it as they seem to be a hot commodity among the elite these days. Hollywood's hotshots are partaking in placenta beauty treatments and famous athletes are turning to the often trashed organ for healing powers. Soccer star Robin Van Persie is hoping that a horse's placenta will work magic on his ankle ligament injury. Physiotherapist Mariana Kovacevic is known for her mystical techniques, one which will have her massaging liquid from a horse's placenta into the player's affected area.

It seems the placenta is the wonder organ that keeps on giving. Would you partake in any of these special treatments?

Yet Another Reason to Steer Clear of Plastics

babysugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:30:31 -0800

The last thing mommy wants to do is add another worry to her already fret-worthy list, but this one may be worth noting. We all know that plastics can contain BPA and other harmful toxins, but we don't always know why they are hazardous. Fortunately, scientists are doing the dirty work for us and informing us of yet another reason to steer clear of items containing phthalates. In a recent study, British researchers found that certain phthalates were not only affecting male genitalia, but their behavior, too. Boys who were exposed to higher amounts of the chemical were less interested in the stereotypical car toys and less apt to play in a rough and tumble manner. Elizabeth Salter-Green, director of the chemicals campaign group CHEM Trust said:

We now know that phthalates, to which we are all constantly exposed, are extremely worrying from a health perspective, leading to disruption of male reproduction health and, it appears, male behavior too... This feminizing capacity of phthalates makes them true 'gender benders'.

While the EU banned such toxins from toys years ago, the US has yet to make such dramatic (and in my opinion, necessary) moves. This is just another good reminder why us moms should speak up and let our voices be known. Join the Million Baby Crawl and speak your mama mind!

Jennie Garth Gives LilSugar the Exclusive Scoop - Part Two

babysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:00:52 -0800

In case you missed it, Jennie Garth took some time out of her schedule to chat with LilSugar about her life as a mommy of three. She answered our four lil questions and then some. Not surprising, she shot straight from the hip and revealed that she is a down-to-earth kind of lady who is keeping a good head on her shoulders while teaching her daughters to do the same. Here are some of the questions the cute mom answered for us:

In light of all of the reality TV shows following families and your stint on Dancing With the Stars, would you ever want your children to be in the spotlight on a TV show or actors on their own show?

I hope not. I would never discourage them from what they want to do but hope that they aim a little higher. Being an actor is not a bad profession by any means but the easy way out, it seems right now, is to do a reality show so I'm hoping Luca - she wants to be an actress I think but she doesn't want to tell me - that they study and learn a craft and become really, really good at it.

Which one of your characteristics do you wish your children would inherit from you?

I can do anything. I can change the oil in the car. Honestly, if it put my mind to it, I can do anything and I hope that they have that. I don't want them to just call the repair man. I want them to try to fix something first. I hope they get a hands on, get it done, I can do anything mentality.

Have you let your kids watch your old 90210 days or the renewed show?

No, no, no. Absolutely not.

Have they seen any of your work?

They've seen a couple of things. They've seen some of my work. They watched What I Like About You sometimes, but even that one was a little too risque at times. But, they come along to a lot of the charitable things I do.

To see what the hot mama has to say about being pregnant again and how she and Peter bring the sexy back, just read more.

Speaking of, how did you get involved with Smiles Across America (SAA)?

As a mother, I sort of saw an opportunity. There's inadequate dental heath care and children are not being taught by their parents to take care of their teeth. SAA goes into schools and teaches kids how to take care of their teeth and they provide them with services.

Who is your role model in motherhood?

I really rely on my girlfriends a lot. We do it together - bounce ideas off of each other. They pick me up when I'm at my lowest point and feel like a terrible mom. We talk about stuff and it helps me to continue on. I just sometimes need a pep talk.

Were you a lover of pregnancy or were you dying to get it over with?

I loved it! I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Will you do it again?

I hope so! I don't know. It depends on my husband being in town.

How do you and Peter bring the sexy back to your marriage with three kids and both of you working?

We do a lot of texting and a lot of flirting by texting and making each other laugh a lot. A good sense of humor keeps each other laughing.

How has the whole Twilight craze affected your family life? Are the girls into it? Do they have crushes on Rob?

They're younger. They don't really care that much. Plus, we really instill in them that they're not goo goo crazy over actors. We try to keep them in a realistic mode. They're a little young... but I'm crazy coo coo for vampires! But, what I do and what I teach my kids to do are two different things.

Amen to that!

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.

Have You Gone "Mommy" on a Stranger?

babysugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:00:56 -0800

Motherhood brings a whole new perspective to a woman's life. Moms jump up to offer their seats to expectant ladies on the bus and rush to aid a lost child at a mall. It is in their nature to fawn over small smiles and get teary when they see a babe in need, but sometimes when they're feeling feisty enough, mamas can huff up and pull out the mommy guns on complete strangers. Mommy may find herself waving her condemning finger in the air and offering "ONE last chance" before all hell breaks loose. In the "Front Door" episode of The Middle, Frankie figuratively takes one of her car shopping customers to school as she berates him for his inability to make a decision and clean up after himself. A conversation that is probably more appropriate for her home works wonders at her job.

Have you ever pulled out the "mummy talk" to get your point across with someone other than your child?

Join our group of Television Moms over in our LilSugar Community!

Are We Generation Mom?

LilSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:30:04 -0800

Are moms being spotlit more than before? Or are Gen X and Gen Y-ers, using their "with child status" to form Generation Mom?

Unlike most previous generations, many women spend a significant amount of time building their careers before venturing into the world of motherhood. They also to utilize their work skills in the home. Moms have written countless books about parenting styles and have invented new products designed to make their lives easier. In some circles, playdates have evolved into networking groups for like-minded ladies.

Have Gen X and Yers become Gen Mom-ers?

Don't forget to join our The Mommy Club over in our LilSugar Community to chat up the mom talk! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Don't Rock the Babysitter's Boat

babysugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:00:35 -0800

If there's one person mommy does not want to tick off, it's her child's caretaker. When disgruntled babysitters complain of working too late or having to clean up the mess the children make, many moms grin and bear it while other moms speak their minds. Mamas and papas may not be pleased with their current caring situation but they are often soft-spoken on the matter so that the children are not the recipients of the babysitter's frustrations. Working mothers feel they have more to lose as they face the fear of losing their hired help and worry about the predicament of finding a last minute replacement.

How do you deal with a sassy caretaker? Join our A Place to Vent group over in our LilSugar Community and share your stress with fellow moms who understand your plight.

Day Care Offices Offer Best of All Worlds For Working Moms

LilSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:00:22 -0700

Pack your briefcase and don't forget the sippy cup. While the debate over the success of working mothers rages on, many mamas seek out jobs that allow them to work from home in order to achieve the balance they desire. Having the flexibility to conduct their business as their wee ones wander about sounds like an ideal situation until the kiddos refuse to take their naps and mom is forced to conduct a conference call hiding on the floor of her closet.

Babysitters, nannies and traditional day care centers may be available to watch the kids, but where does that leave the work from home mom? Cubes and Crayons is one solution. A Bay Area co-working space, the first of its kind, offers on-site day care for members. The mostly female members can use desk space, WiFi, communal kitchens and lounge areas while their lil ones enjoy all of the benefits of day care right next door. Members pay based on the frequency with which they use the space and are surrounded by parents in similar working situations.

Would you consider joining a co-working day care center to allow you to maintain your career while still spending as much time with your children as possible?