LilSugar

Unlicensed to Drive: Three-Year-Old Crashes SUV

LilSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:00:35 -0700

The next time your tot says he's going for a ride, don't take it too lightly. A three-year-old Missouri boy who could barely see over the dashboard let alone reach the pedals, took his mama's SUV for a short and unintentional joyride or rather, joy roll. According to a report, when the mother's dismissal of her son's passing words had a smashing outcome. It said:

After telling his mother he was “going bye-bye,” the boy carried the SUV’s keys to the vehicle and evidently turned the ignition key far enough to allow the vehicle’s transmission to slip into neutral.

The car rolled backward until it hit a fence and neighboring home.

What's the Worst Thing You've Blamed on Your Child?

babysugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:00:24 -0700

People rarely probe moms when they bail on commitments because nobody wants to question a sick infant or an unreliable sitter. A believer in karma, I don't much like to falsely lay blame for fear it will come back to bite me and it's just not the right thing to do. I've faulted my daughter for a messy room or running late, but one New Hampshire papa took his problems a tad too far.

After allegedly being involved in a hit-and-run accident, David Ponzer told police that his 19-year-old son might have been driving his car at the time of the incident. Mr. Ponzer assured the officers that he would have his son call them upon his return home. On their way to the squad car, the policemen saw a neighbor and asked them if they had seen the young man behind the wheel of the vehicle recently. Officer Christopher Kiberd wrote in an affidavit, "The subject laughed and informed me Ponzer's son is still an infant." I guess that would make driving a get-away car impossible! Daddy David is now in the hot seat for his involvement in the accident and lying to authorities.

What's the worst thing you have blamed on your child?
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The Tummy Shield: Ga Ga or Gag?

LilSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:00:07 -0700

Buckle up your belly! As pregnant women grow, they find themselves having to adjust their seat belts to alleviate added pressure on their abdomens. An Australian company has developed a device that shifts the restraint while supposedly keeping the baby safe in utero. The Tummy Shield is a cushion placed under the expectant passenger. It has a hook that holds the lap portion of the seat belt under the stomach and around the hips and upper thigh area to protect the tummy from pressure. According to the company, if the car is in an accident, placement of the Tummy Shield will keep the baby safe and reduce injury to the mother. Would you invest in one?

10 More Things Mamas Took For Granted Before Children

LilSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:00:36 -0700

Oh, to reminisce about those pre-baby days. Yesterday, I wrote about the things I took for granted before having children. While mamas love their lil ones – and our lives with them – we've given up a few luxuries. Our readers chimed in with some of the things they have sacrificed so check out the list.

Impromptu Vacations: Before kids, we threw our clothes in a bag and headed to the airport for a weekend getaway without thinking about sleeping arrangements, food or entertainment.
Reading on Airplanes: On a business trip or vacation, flights offered time to catch up on our favorite magazines and books rather than tempering cranky travelers.
Music with Explicit Lyrics: There is no way to compare the G-rated sounds of Radio Disney to Snoop Dogg's uncensored lyrics.
Uninterrupted Phone Calls: Hour-long, in-depth conversations with girlfriends were a weekly occurrence before kiddos started interrupting them with endless questions vying for attention.
Laundry: Complaining about having to do one load of laundry each week seems crazy now that the washer and dryer are constantly running.

To read the rest, read more.

Leisurely Car Rides: Sunday afternoon drives in a small convertible were one of life's luxuries before car seats required more space.
Uninterrupted Meals: Who knew sitting through an entire meal wasn't the norm.
Impromptu Date Nights: The biggest dilemma on date night used to be where to go not who would watch the kids and what time we had to be home.
Personal Shopping: Aside from simply hopping out of the car and checking off a list, shopping used to be by ourselves and for ourselves.
Stain-Free Clothing: Before kids, the stains on our clothing were the result of our own accidents instead of greasy fingers and far-flung food.

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Wee Are the World: Where to Donate Your Kiddos' Used Goods

LilSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0700

My kids are growing like weeds, so I've been going through their closets and deciding what to toss and what to donate. The seasonal ritual also tends to turn up clothing items that still have tags on them, duplicate books, and toys that have never been touched. While some of the things are passed to friends, I am always looking for new places to donate the goods.

Baby Buggy collects and distributes gently used baby clothing and equipment throughout New York City and donates it to domestic violence and homeless shelters as well as court child centers. Started by baby puree guru Jessica Seinfeld, the charity has distributed more than two million items over the last eight years.
Pajama Program provides new pajamas and books to children in need, particularly those awaiting adoption. The nonprofit encourages individuals to hold pajama drives to help collect them for distribution.
Project Night Night provides homeless shelters with individual tote bags filled with a security blanket, an age-appropriate book, and a stuffed animal. The organization accepts new blankets, like-new books, and stuffed animals to be placed in their care packages.

For tips on what can be donated, read more.

Most donated items need to be in like-new condition.

Clothing free of stains, tears, or personalization.
Baby gear that is in excellent working condition, was purchased in the last three years, and has not been recalled.
Car seats that have not been in accidents.
Unopened diapers, water diapers, and pullups.
Never donate used feeding supplies (bottles, forks, etc.) or unsanitary breastfeeding supplies.

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Interview Tips For Hiring a Caretaker

LilSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:30:18 -0700

Once a family has decided that hiring a nanny is the right childcare choice for their lifestyle, parents must set out to find the ideal caretaker to fit their needs and parenting style. While some mamas count on agencies, friends and relatives to provide them with leads, others visit the local playground to speak with other nannies about friends looking for jobs, or take to the web in search of the ideal candidate.

With a list of names in hand, it is time to start interviewing them to see just how well the candidate meshes with your family. To see my checklist of must-ask questions that should help narrow down the process, read more.

How long have you been a nanny?
Why did you choose this profession?
What do you like least about your job?
Why did you/or do you want to leave your last/current job?
How old were the children you last cared for?
What philosophies/rules have you witnessed in previous jobs that you would replicate?
Do you have any formal childcare training?
Are you willing to follow our lead, even if you disagree?
Do you like to stay at home or do you like to play at other's homes?
How would you describe a typical day with a child the same age is mine?
How do you discipline children?
Are you willing to do light housework/cleaning while my child is sleeping?
Do you cook? Will you be willing to cook for my child?
Are you trained in CPR and first aid and are your certifications up-to-date? If not, are you willing to take the class on your own time?
Do you smoke?
What would you do if my child were sick or had an accident?
Do you have children of your own? If so, what are your backup care plans should he get sick?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Do you have school or professional plans beyond being a nanny?
Where do you live and how will you get to work?
(If nanny will be transporting your child in a car) How is your driving record? Is your car maintenance up-to-date?
How flexible is your schedule? Would you be available nights and weekends? Could you accompany us on family vacations?

In addition to these questions, parents should be prepared to ask specific questions about any concerns they have regarding their child's own needs, as well as their own. Parents also usually have a gut reaction to the person sitting before them, and can feel if she is going to fit in with them.

If you have any additional must ask questions, tell us in the comments below!

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Would You Demand to Know if Hubby Fathered Love Child?

LilSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:22:36 -0700

Like many wives, Elizabeth Edwards made a life with her husband, John. The couple had four children and lost their eldest son to a tragic car accident. Elizabeth supported John on two presidential campaign tickets and even as she battled cancer. All she asked of him was to be faithful. Today on Oprah Elizabeth addresses the rumors about John's alleged love child and says she doesn't know if the baby is his as it does not look like her offspring. Would you be so indifferent if your spouse was in this type of situation?

As a Parent, Do You Identify More With Biden or Palin?

LilSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:00:01 -0700

Last night's vice-presidential debate was a conversation of two sides - the Democrats and the Republicans, but it was also a meeting of the minds between two parents. Both Governor Palin and Senator Biden touched on their family lives. Palin mentioned her son going off to war and having a special needs child. Biden choked up a bit when he spoke of being a single father who raised two sons after his daughter and wife died in a car accident.

Did hearing them share these sentiments affect how you'll vote?

Tell Mommy: Your Kid's Craziest Accident

LilSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:00:32 -0700

Let's face it, kids have lots of fluids and well, sometimes they end up all over the floor. While the incidents can be funny in retrospect, they usually aren't while occurring. My husband packed our infant daughter in the Baby Bjorn and stopped in an upscale art gallery to take a peek at their pieces. The sales clerks cooed over our child until she projectile vomited all over the shop. Mortified, her daddy apologized profusely to the staffers who were awed by her action.
My son's moment came last Christmas while I was carting the kids through the rain and into the mall only to notice he had an accident that soiled ALL of his clothing. I couldn't put my baby back in the car, so I headed to Target's restroom where I had no choice but to strip him down, wipe the mess up as best as I could and then rinse him off in the sink. Once he was clean, I put him in a fresh diaper, strapped him in the stroller and dressed him in a new outfit I bought at the store. Then, we finished our holiday shopping.

When kiddie accidents happen, parents have to grin and bear it - what was yours?
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What's Your Take on "Family Man" John Edwards?

LilSugar — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:00:08 -0700

John Edwards portrayed himself as such a family man that when the news broke that he confessed to the affair and had lied as a Presidential candidate, I was more disturbed that he had cheated on his wife and put his children in an such an uncomfortable situation. Elizabeth campaigned for him even while fighting cancer. And, beyond all that the couple lost their eldest son, Wade, to a car accident in 1996.

Did his confession change your view of him?

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