LilSugar

Tell Mommy: What Was Your First Memory?

babysugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Some people claim to have memories from their first two years of life. I'm not quite sure what my first memory is but I'm pretty sure I was a tad older than that. I clearly remember a boy named Caleb singing the Hall and Oates tune, "Kiss Is on My List" to a girl named Tiffany in preschool when I was about four. Recollections before that are few and far between.

What is your earliest childhood memory?
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What Lies Do You Tell Your Children?

LilSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 07:00:32 -0700

I tell my kids that there's a Santa Claus, that the tooth fairy is small enough to fly under a pillow and that the Easter Bunny sometimes sprinkles carrots in their food when they aren't looking. In other words, I lie.

For the most part, I am honest with my kids to a point that is sometimes much to my own mother's chagrin. My daughter understands that cancer kills people because she's been to the funerals of a few of its victims. She knows that kids disappear because she caught a clip of coverage on Madeline McCann. And, that people can break each other's hearts, because friends have come over to talk about their relationship woes. When she asks questions, I tell her the truth in an age appropriate way and the same goes for my son.

To see why I feel fibs are justified, read more.

The world is such a crazy place, I think it's OK for my children to believe in the handful of things that keep them innocent - a jolly old guy sliding down our chimney, a sprite stealing teeth and a rabbit crazy about carrots. What do you lie about?

How Much Do You Know About Childhood Strokes?

LilSugar — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:00:24 -0700

People tend to associate strokes with adults, but they also happen in children, even babies. One report said they affect 10 out of every 100,000 children each year. The American Heart Association released guidelines for childhood stroke this week. Test your knowledge of what to look for by taking this quiz.
Source

Take the quiz

Childhood Pictures Can Come Back to Haunt You

LilSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:31:05 -0700

Everyone's got childhood photos that come back to haunt them. But, Casey Knowles was a television extra when some footage of her sleeping was shot. Owned by Getty Images, the clip was recently used in an ad for Hillary Clinton that featured lil ones slumbering.

It's not a big deal, except the girl is now a young woman working on the Obama campaign.

Would You Enlist Your Child's Talent to Pay the Bills?

babysugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0800

No doubt about it, some families have been faced with some tough times during our recession. The jobless rate keeps rising causing many children to claim homeless status or opt out of extracurricular activities. So what if their beauty or talent could earn the family a roof over their heads or pay for their schooling? It seems many moms and pops are turning to their tots to help foot the bill. Mothers who might not normally enter their babe into a modeling competition are taking head shots and driving to auditions with dreams of childhood stardom. While some criticize the parents for putting their babies to task, others say the actions are harmless and even beneficial. What say you?

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It's a Wild Thing Halloween!

babysugar — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:00:58 -0700

Ding, ding, ding... we have a winner! My jaw dropped when I saw these costumes in our Sugarbabies group. User ShedItandGetIt shared these amazing photos of her children and their fantastic holiday gear. A daughter of a creative talent, she said:

My mother was inspired by the childhood classic and movie "Where the Wild Things Are" so she made these costumes for the kids in our family.

I'm inspired just looking at these. Don't forget to add your tots to the Sugarbabies mix! They'll get a hoot out of seeing themselves on the computer screen, especially dolled up in their wacky, fun costumes.

Do You Try to Keep Characters and Logos Out of Baby's Sight?

LilSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:30:37 -0700

Elmo, Dora, Mickey and Pooh – the characters that appear on our boob tubes are often found running around the playground too. Try as we might to shield our innocent children from the images available on cable television, network TV commercials and online media, just take a walk outside and you are sure to be bombarded by characters and logos that look like they jumped right off the screen.

According to the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, marketing directly to children has increased from $100 million in 1983 to more than $17 billion today. By the age of six months, a baby can form a mental image of a corporate logo or mascot, making them able to request those brands by the time they can speak. While wooden toys have increased in popularity due to their safer manufacturing processes, they have not outweighed the popularity of character-driven choices that flood the market. Do you try to shield your lil ones from commercial characters and logos?

Maltreatment in Childhood Linked to Depression

babysugar — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 06:01:57 -0700

It's clear the way children are treated is intricately tried to their attitudes and behavior, but a recent study reaffirms the notion that mistreatment during one's early years can have lasting, irreversible consequences.

The study suggests that being maltreated in childhood contributes to the co-occurrence of depression and inflammation later in life. It's a no-brainer study if you ask me, but confirms how childhood experiences play into our mental health later in life and how important it is to play close attention to how your child is being treated. Here's more:

The study found that depressed people with a history of maternal rejection, or physical, sexual or other abuse were twice as likely to have elevated inflammation levels compared with controls. In contrast, depressed people without a history of maltreatment had similar inflammation levels as controls.

The researchers who did the study suggest that history of abuse in childhood may help identify depressed adults with elevated inflammation levels.
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Lil Links: Who Was Your Childhood Celebrity Crush?

LilSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:00:30 -0800

Your childhood celebrity boyfriend or girlfriend? - The Poop
Ava Jackman has a wheel good time! - Celebrity Baby Blog
Russell Crowe's Bondi beach fun - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Mom gives birth to eight babies! - Fit Pregnancy
Eating dirt good for the kids? - Parent Dish
Five tips to buying your first family car - Alpha Mom
A fun book of baby names - Cafe Mom
Homeschool: good or bad? - Momversation
Laid off: eight healthy ways to spend your free time - Health

Motherhood Isn't Always Instinctual, Sometimes It's Learned

babysugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:00:30 -0700

Sadly not every child can claim that their mother loved them unconditionally and with every ounce of their being. Many women will gush about that immediate affection and connection when they hold their babe in their arms for the first time while others know that it comes with time. Still some moms have to learn how to love their children, as it is not instinctual for everybody.

Author Peg Streep spoke with Robin Roberts about her lack of motherly love during her own childhood and how she has overcome it to be a better parent to her own child. In her book, Mean Mothers, Peg shares stories of other women who struggle with the mother-daughter relationships. While it is the darker side of motherhood, some may appreciate the voice on the taboo topic. Do you know someone who could benefit from a lesson on the subject?

Do you have a treasure trove of parenting tales? Join our The Mommy Club over in our LilSugar Community and share your tips! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.