LilSugar

Expectant Mamas Get Into the Game

LilSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:00:29 -0700

Now may not be the time for cartwheels, but mamas-to-be can still show their support for their favorite NFL teams. As preseason football kicks into gear, and fantasy football teams are drafted, Motherhood Maternity is launching a line of officially licensed NFL maternity shirts with the teams' logos. While we know which shirt the world's most famous pregnant football wife will be donning, other fans will have to check with their local stores for the availability of their hometown teams.

Expectant NFL fans who already have lil ones at home may want to take advantage of the preseason to introduce the tots to the sport. Preseason games are often less expensive, less intense and less exciting, so you won't feel bad when your child begs to leave at half-time. Before heading to the stadium, check out these tips for taking children to the ballpark for the first time.

Trendtotting: Gear Up for Game Day with Junk Food!

babysugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:00:59 -0700

Die-hard football fans are rejoicing across the nation. 'Tis the season for tailgating, brat cooking, and pig skin loving. As is often the case, many parents will outfit their wee ones in their team's gear hoping to pass on the team pride from generation to generation.

Rather than sporting a brand spanking new jersey with "Brady" or "Manning" on the back, go old school and spoil your tot with a retro style Junk Food tee ($27) from Gap Kids that feels just as soft as a 20-year-old t-shirt would.

Junk Food ($27)	Junk Food ($27)
Junk Food ($27)	Junk Food ($27)
Junk Food ($27)	Junk Food ($27)

Wee TV: Team Baby DVDs

babysugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:00:42 -0700

With the NCAA football season kicking off this week, it's time to ensure that your lil one has everything he needs to cheer on your alma mater. You may have the onesie version of the jersey and the cheerleader uniform ready to go, but does your tot know the fight song yet?

If not, Team Baby Entertainment ($15) has created 30-minute DVDs to introduce your lil fan to your school. Featuring clips of the school's campus, stadium, mascot and marching band, the DVDs also teach counting and spelling using words and phrases relevant to your school. The DVDs are reminiscent of watching a Baby Einstein video, with children stacking blocks and giggling as they watch toys go by. With 28 schools in the company's library, your child can start practicing his Heisman Trophy pose before he may even walk.

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.

Getting Parents Involved in the Halloween Act

babysugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:00:46 -0700

Most parents think about their child's costume and forget all about themselves when it comes to dressing up for the spooky holiday. Sibling pairs can be quite cute but if there's only one kiddo in the family, mom and pop should think about getting in on the act with their own tiny tot.

Mommy can dress the babe up as a monkey and don a foam banana. The other trick-or-treaters will get a kick out of it when the two are chasing each other around. Other fabulous matches are the caterpillar turned butterfly, the hot dog and accompanying condiments. If it's a crew of sports nuts, a referee and football bunting may be the ideal twosome.

Which pair gets your vote?

Nursing Pillows That Make Breastfeeding a Breeze

babysugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:30:46 -0700

What did mothers do before all of the posh pleasures of newborn life were introduced to the modern world? Technology and genius inventions have made the life of a mama much easier to manage, even breastfeeding. Where a pillow and a couch were the only accessories a mom once needed, she can now sit in the lap of luxury with a plush nursing cushion that adjusts to her specifications and even has a pouch to hold her nipple cream and water. Some offer a separate layer to adjust the child's positioning while others turn into lounge chairs for the wee ones. While any woman could get by with her own two arms and her babe, it makes the lactating world a more pleasant place to be when mommy can rest easily.

Fair warning, I've heard of certain men taking control of these tools of motherhood for their football watching frenzies on Saturday afternoons and turning the pouch into a beer and remote control apparatus.

Timeless Sibling Themes For Halloween: Varsity

LilSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:00:27 -0700

Give me an H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N! What's that spell? A couple of cheerleaders and a quarterback dressed up and ready to trick-or-treat. I bet John Moynahan and his impending sibling would cause quite a stir in these costumes! While the pom-pom girl ensemble can easily be made by pinning a felt letter on a pullover, stitching together a skirt and tying some fuzzy balls on sneakers. And a tot can be transformed into a footballer by sewing stuffed pantyhose "muscles" into a jersey, smearing a lil black makeup under his or her eyes and topping their noggin with a helmet, it takes even less time to find the outfits online. If you have a newborn, consider dotting two broken lines down a brown onesie or buying a football bunting. But, make sure no one tosses the pigskin!

What's cuter than one child in a costume? His or her sibling in complementary ones! After shuffling through some old albums, I came across photos of timeless attire for fellow parents to use as inspiration - no trip to the fabric store or thimble required! Check out themes for tots here!

Lil Find: A Diaper Bag For Pigskin Lovers

babysugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:00:21 -0800

With Super Bowl XLII coming up this Sunday, we wanted to get in the spirit and highlight a diaper bag that will cater to baby toting pigskin lovers.

I can think of a few football fanatics who would flip for this football diaper bag. They're also liable to slap some "Chargers" or "Patriots" bumper stickers on the tote, but as long as the adhesives stay off the baby's skin, I'm okay with it.

The brown vinyl tote is sure to score some serious points with the Super Bowl obsessed parent. But, it will also cost them a pretty copper penny – it retails at $150! I might have to punt this one.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck's NFL Maternity Line: Ga Ga or Gag?

LilSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:18 -0700

Are you ready for some football? Elisabeth Hasselbeck is. The third time mama-to-be, conservative cohost of The View, and wife of a former professional quarterback is working with Reebok to launch a line of NFL short- and long-sleeve maternity shirts featuring official team logos that will be available for the 2010 season with messages like, "Rookie," "#1 NFL Draft Pick 2030," "Mom’s Tiny Kicker," and "Fan Pending" on them. The tees will sell for $30 to $35 in gift packs with baby bibs and onesies. Would you sport her styles?

Photo courtesy of Reebok

Sugardaddy Eric Bana Entertains Us From Troy to Star Trek

LilSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Eric Bana has been on most mama's radars since they saw him in Black Hawk Down. But, many did a double as the actor strutted around ancient Greece in Troy. Any daddy that can steal a scene from a shirtless Brad Pitt makes a definite impression.

A man of a thousand accents – he's done American, Israeli, and German to name a few – Bana is set to be a fixture on the silver screen this Summer, having hit box office gold as Nero in Star Trek last weekend and costarring with Rachel McAdams in The Time Traveler's Wife in a few months. The Aussie actor and comedian also recently finished filming Judd Apatow's latest comedy, Funny People with Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen.

Married to his wife of 12 years Rebecca Gleeson, Bana has limited his Hollywood film work in order to spend time at home in Australia with his children – Klaus, 10, and Sophia, 8. While in the land down under, the father of two has been an outspoken advocate for several children's charities including the Australian Childhood Foundation and the Motorcycle Riders Association Toy Run. A devoted fan of football and motor racing, Bana enjoys living life to its fullest, which led his Munich director Steven Speilberg to call him "a very gentle soul with a tremendous sense of humor. He's a gentle giant."

View 4 Photos ›

Source