LilSugar

Tell Mommy: Do Your Kids Have a Budget?

babysugar — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:00:00 -0700

Suze Orman may be the money guru of today, but sometimes I think she took a page from my parents' handbook on raising financially responsible children. Growing up, my folks paid us for hard work done around the house and allowed us to spend it how we wanted. My chores included cleaning my room, making my bed, helping with dinner, doing dishes, and other things that eased the burden on my mom and step-dad. As we grew older, my sister and I had to set up a budget for our monthly expenditures. Based on our needs and wants, our parents devised a monthly allowance for us. It taught us both that perhaps a Polo shirt wasn't as necessary as the cheaper version available at Target.

Tell mommy, do your kids have a budget?
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Do Your Kids Earn an Allowance?

LilSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:00:28 -0700

My daughter loves slipping crisp bills into her purse. On a recent outing, we stopped for lunch and when the check came, she announced, "I'll pay! I'll pay! It's MY treat!" At four, her cash flow comes more from her dollar gifting Grandpa then from accomplishing chores. That's not to say that she doesn't pitch in a hand around the house, but at this stage in the game we aren't doling out an allowance or teaching her financial responsibility.

Do you give your kids one?

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Even Teen Burglars Have Soft Spots For Babies

babysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:15:03 -0800

Tonight on the 6 'clock news - thieves feeding babies. Sounds crazy but that's what happened to a family in Indianapolis. While two high school students were robbing a house, a baby started to cry. Either out of the kindness of his heart or his desire to hush the baby (I'm putting my money on the latter), the 18-year-old thief warmed up a bottle of milk and allowed another child in the house to feed the wailing babe. Unfortunately the rest of the story is not so delightful. He held a gun to the head of the father of the family and threatened to kill him. In the end, it was his aunt who turned him in to the authorities. Thankfully everyone is safe and sound, especially that scared baby.

10 Hints For Having Little Helpers in the Holiday Kitchen

LilSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:00:22 -0800

Too many cooks in the kitchen is a good thing this holiday season. Lisa Barnes, fellow mom, chef, and author of Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry reminds stressed out parents that, "The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to allow your children to help with the meal preparation and offers quality time together as a family. This is a way to keep your children occupied, but is also a fun, educational activity that incorporates a range of skills and senses, such as counting, measuring, reading, touching, listening, planning, smelling, tasting, and creativity." To add some cheer to your cooking during this festive time, Barnes gives LilSugar readers these helpful hints for having your own little helpers in the holiday kitchen.

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When Vegetarians Raise Vegetarians

babysugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:30:08 -0800

For some, dinner is just a meal. For others, it is a way of life and a testament to their beliefs. Carnivores may not give much thought to the burger on their plate, but vegetarians might. They often take comfort in the fact that no animals were harmed in the making of their cuisine - a mindset many would like to pass onto their offspring. Some vegetarian moms limit their children to a strict greens and fruits diet, and others allow their children to choose meals for themselves - meat included. While the choice may seem insignificant to some, others believe a parent's push to be strictly vegetarian may have negative consequences.

Instead of forcing a child into vegetarian restrictions, Jennifer Nelson, director of clinical dietetics at the Mayo Clinic, thinks children who can select their own food may experience less peer pressure than their limitless foodies in the lunch room. Furthermore, she argues it may even cause a child to feel stressed out if she is not limited to parent-approved choices when out on her lonesome. To avoid setting children up for failure, Nelson recommends this tidbit of advice:

You should offer age-appropriate explanations for why they don't eat meat . . . Then give children reassurance and strategies for making food choices when they're not with you.

So tell us, would you raise your child to have the same eating habits as you or would you allow them to test things out for themselves?

Modeling After Others Mamas: Do You Fear Influences?

babysugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:30:40 -0800

If Lila Hack wasn't born crawling with a swagger, she is sure to learn it just by watching her mum. Model mother Kate Moss threw her godchild, 9-year-old Iris Law (daughter of Jude Law and Sadie Frost), the soiree of her dreams - a catwalk party. A well-known woman in the fashion world, the leggy Top Shop designer brought gobs of clothes, hairdressers, and makeup galore for the little darling and her pals, which happened to include her own 7-year-old daughter Lila Hack. Done up to the nines, it was then time for the youngsters to learn how to strut their stuff. While it may sound fun and fancy, one might wonder what kind of influence it has on the impressionable youths. One source said:

All of the girls at the bash wanted to be Kate. She brought along lots of clothes for them and the girls had their hair and make-up done especially. . . . Kate also presided over all of the accessories to make them look as catwalk-ready as possible. She was teaching them how to master her famous hip swagger and her "I don’t care look."

My hang-up? I always want my child to care. Would you allow your tot to attend a model party?

The Gifted Child: Hip Holiday Gift List For Grandparents

LilSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:52 -0800

Ask most grandparents what they want this holiday season and they'll tell you time spent with the next generation. Ask any kid what they want from grandma and grandpa and expect the world. Each family's relationship with grandparents takes on its own form, but mas and pas are known to spoil their little darlings at birthdays, during the holidays and any given day of the week. Take control of the gift giving this holiday season by setting some ground rules and giving them a short list of items your wee ones would love and need. Classic toys like the Radio Flyer Little Red Wagon ($19) allow grandparents to celebrate vintage toys of the past - just don't say "vintage"! - and will be loved for years to come. Here are some other hip holiday suggestions to share.

For a full widget of adorable gifts any child would be lucky to receive from grandma and grandpa, as well as a guide to making a wish list you can share with family and friends, read more.

Want to make a holiday wish list for your tots and share it with the family? Log in to ShopStyle, hover over items and click "wish list." You will create a wish list just like mine that you can share with family and friends.

Did You Trade Dine In For Takeout After Having Children?

LilSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:00:13 -0800

Couples may enjoy white tablecloths and candlelight before baby, but after becoming parents hearing that there's an hour-long wait at a hot eatery isn't as enticing. Getting food to go allows mom and dad the chance to eat their favorite entrees without any of the worry of entertaining their tots during the experience or public mid meal meltdowns. Once you had children did you table your reservations and turn to takeout more often?

Would You Offer Up Your Baby to Research?

LilSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Weird science? The world's heaviest baby has been invited by the Japanese Medical Association to have his development studied as he grows. The study would be sponsored by a Japanese television network and new concerns are brewing that the Indonesian newborn will be exploited, even if it's for science. Luckily it's not a decision that most parents have to face, but would you allow your baby to be poked and prodded by doctors?

Will You Do Pumpkin Carving With Your Kiddos?

babysugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:30:10 -0700

Whether the faces are spooky and scary or goofy and giddy, children love to carve out their pumpkins for the Halloween season. Everyone benefits from the fun family time, some even make it a team event. Decorating tools and and creative stencils have allowed wee ones to go wild with the gourds while some keep it simple with a knife and spoon. And while the cut-out mugs may be the end goal, many mamas don't mind the innards that can make for delish pumpkin bread and toasted pumpkin seeds.

Does your family crave carving time? Join our The Mommy Club over in our LilSugar community and share your carving tips! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Photo courtesy of sara.atkins

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