LilSugar

Is Getting Your Daughter's Ears Pierced a Big Deal?

LilSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:00:31 -0700

Getting your ears pierced in my grammar school was a huge deal. My mom finally let me puncture my earlobes with tiny gold studs when I was 10. I still remember what I wore to the mall and how my classmates inspected the jewels when I got to school. In the years that followed, my friends and I would make trips to the mall just to buy earrings and expand our collections. For some people, ear piercing is a cultural tradition done when lil girls are born or still babies. Other parents believe it's a right of passage into adolescence.

I've heard stories about moms who made their daughters wait until graduation or celebrated their first period by allowing them to pierce their ears. I didn't have a plan so when my 5-year-old told me she wanted to get hers done the other day, I said okay. She loves fashion, putting outfits together and creating her own style, but next month she'll be heading to kindergarten at a private school that requires her to wear a uniform. Choosing earrings will still allow her a bit of creativity.

The other reason I'm granting her wish is because our new baby will soon make its debut. Before my son was born, we took a trip to Los Angeles to visit my best friend for a girls' weekend and my daughter still talks about it. I want her to have the same type of special memory prior to this sibling - not just because she's about to get another sister or brother, but because she's growing up too. What's your opinion on ear piercing?

Six “Makeup” Tips For Your Lil Beauty

LilSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:00:42 -0700

Girls will be girls. Whether you feel fine letting your daughter indulge in a mani-pedi from time to time or would rather her keep her young skin fresh and product-free, at some point you may have to just give in. Maybe it's Miley, maybe she's watched you apply mascara and lipstick before a dinner date, or maybe girly girls just love gloss. Most of us try to keep the cosmetic rituals out of our children's daily routine (well, unless you are a pageant parent), but there are ways to let them indulge the urge without overdoing. Check out these sensible suggestions for healthy, no-mess ways to help your budding beautician experiment with the idea of makeup.

View Slideshow ›

Trendtotting: The Perfect Easter Outfit For Girls

LilSugar — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:00:24 -0700

Easter Sunday is swiftly approaching, which means moms are running around searching for Easter baskets, eggs and goodies and pretty outfits for Easter photos. While I don't think children's fashion rules should be stiff, it is traditionally the date we are allowed (and encouraged!) to wear white again. Embrace floral prints, pastels and all things Spring with a youthful and fun look for your daughter that can withstand a chocolate smear and egg hunt in the yard. I adore this dreamy Juicy Couture Girls' Sunrise Embroidered Puff Sleeve Dress ($172). It is part innocent flower child, part Alice in Wonderland.

If this outfit won't fit your little bunny or you are looking for a less expensive option, check out some additional pretty style suggestions when you read more.

Source

Have You Tuned In to Toddlers & Tiaras?

LilSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0800

Every week I turn to TLC for my Jon and Kate Plus 8 fix, but after a recommendation from BellaSugar I dedicated an evening to Toddlers & Tiaras. The documentary series follows different families on the quest for beauty pageant crowns and glory and sheds some bright lights on the realities of pageant life: rigorous training, painful hair and beauty regimens, and plenty of positive affirmations. It's sort of a modern day, reality TV influenced Living Dolls. While BellaSugar was shocked to see a 7-year-old be fitted for fake teeth and a little girl sob as she gets her first spray tan, I was more aghast by the parents' expectations and outlandish remarks. You can watch the series in parts on YouTube or tune in on Tuesdays at 10 p.m.
Photos courtesy of TLC

Supersize This: Lola et Moi

LilSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:00:50 -0800

Is it possible to find fashionable clothes for lil girls with a youthful eclectic feel? Mais oui!

Children's wear company Lola et Moi brings adorable dresses, jackets, tops, and more to your daughter's girly look. While there are jackets suitable for Winter, most pieces will get you, and your lil one, excited to dress up for Spring. If you're looking for fun frocks to jump start your tot's 2009 style, check out all the fun items below.

Lola et Moi Pink Checker Coat - $259.95	Lola et Moi Orange Clown Dress - $69.95
Lola et Moi Pink Dot Diaper Cover - $26.95	Lola et Moi Print Dress - $119.95
Lola et Moi White Floral Wrap Skirt - $69.95	Lola et Moi Fuschia Tee - $32.95
Lola et Moi Lime Flower Tee - $54.95	Lola et Moi Green Print Jumper Dress - $86.95

The Girls of Gap!

LilSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:00:02 -0800

Gap called out for parents to enter their kids in the company's annual Casting Call and boy, oh boy did moms and dads answer! Nearly 900,000 entries were submitted before they were narrowed down to twenty finalists. Those cuties and their chaperones made their way to San Francisco a few weeks ago for a professional photo shoot that I was lucky enough to attend. After meeting quite a few of the lil darlings, I don't know who to choose! It's up to the public to vote so check out this slideshow of Gap's gorgeous girls and stay tuned for tomorrow's post about the boys to help you make your decision! And, if your kid didn't make the cut, they can still get the look by entering lilsugar's giveaway.

View Slideshow ›

Could Postpartum Depression Be a Gender Thing?

babysugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:00:01 -0800

Baby blues can strike any new mum but a recent study, released by the Journal of Clinical Nursing suggested that the baby's sex played a role in postpartum depression. It said:

When we launched our research, our main aim was to study the effect that gender has on PND. But the overwhelming finding of the study was the fact that gender appears to play a significant role in reduced quality of life as well as an increased chance of severe PND.

The study surveyed 181 French women during their four to eight weeks postpartum period. Of those moms, about 16 suffered from postpartum depression. And of that nine percent, over three–quarters had given birth to boys.

To learn more about gender differences and postpartum depression, read more.

Professor Claude de Tychey who led the research, also cited past studies. He said:

Previous studies have shown that women who live in cultures where greater value is placed on sons are more likely to suffer from PND if they give birth to a girl. However, we believe that this study – carried out in a French community where women didn’t face cultural pressures over the sex of their baby – is the first to show that women who give birth to boys are more likely to suffer from severe PND and reduced quality of life.

To that point, in China, where gender favoring is common, the opposite seems to be true. A study performed in China found that women who delivered girls were more prone to postpartum depression. It said:

Because prenatal factors do not appear to have been associated with the occurrence of postpartum depression, the investigators suggest that if a woman gives birth to a girl, a lack of familial support-stemming from a desire for sons to carry on the family name and provide economic support to their parents-may make her more vulnerable to postpartum depression.

Unfortunately, the absolute cause of postpartum depression has not been discovered. Theories and studies may have some validity, but there are so many contributing factors it's hard to pinpoint one - a mother's own gender preference, her family's or country's bias, hormones, economic status, or mental stability - as the culprit.

What are your thoughts on postpartum depression?
Source

Marcia Cross Gives Thanks Early This Year

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:53 -0800

Known as the buttoned-up and tightly wound kitchen queen on Desperate Housewives, Marcia Cross appears to be quite the opposite when seen about town toting her two tots to the local playground for a swing in the park or a roll in the grass. Though the multitasking mum certainly has her hands full and plenty of mouths to feed in her own home, the drama mama took time out of her Sunday afternoon to dish on motherhood, balancing a career, her fortunate life and how she gives back to the community.

How do you teach your children about giving back?

I have to be very honest and say that I'm in this very strange interim of wanting the world to seem like this perfect lovely place because they're 2-and-a-half... to then introducing them to the idea that other people have less. It's going to start soon, I think around the holidays. The way I try to do it is in simple ways. I have things in the house and I say, "Why don't we give this to so and so?" And I will say somebody else's child and "If you're finished with that, why don't you give that to so and so?" I've noticed that they'll come up with that on their own now, which makes me so happy... I can't yet go to the place where there are other kids that are hungry... maybe in another year. I don't know exactly. I think just teaching empathy and then teaching giving in that sort of way is how I've started and hopefully it will grow from there in terms of how lucky we are... We say Grace and we say prayers at night. Prayers to me is just sitting around and saying what you're grateful for. One answer that my daughter Eden says all the time, which I love, is "Outside," which is such a beautiful thing to say thank you for, which we take for granted.

What kinds of things do the girls do to make you laugh?

My girls are really funny. They're actually little jokesters. They do twists on words already, or I call them my little minxies. They dance, they do imitations of other kids dancing, they make up songs, they make up lyrics. It's all so silly but I think every mother just adores their own child and I'm the same way. They make me laugh all the time.

To see what the striking redhead has to say about balancing motherhood and her career, her character Bree, and what she is most thankful for, read more.

Are there any similarities between Bree and Marcia Cross?

Wow. I wish there were more because she's so organized and such the domestic diva, which I am not. But I think in her own twisted way, Bree has a big heart and a passion for life. Although, I'm thinking about what she's doing right now and we don't have that in common... she's having a little extra passion right now (giggle). At the moment, I'm going to say there's a little less in common than more.

How do you raise your kids and have a career?

I think some days I do it more gracefully than others. And other days it takes its tolls. Like any parent, I go through times where things are going great and then I have a week where both of my daughters are sick and so I'm trying to juggle work and home-life and it's hard and it's stressful and I think it would be unrealistic to say otherwise. I think that mothers manage an incredible workload. Whether you're a stay-at-home mother or you have a job as well, it's a very full life and certainly one that I dreamed about and always wanted. And even given that there are days that are challenging, because you can only be in so many places at once... whether it's at work or with your kids, or sometimes you just really want a nap so it's a full-time job.

What are you thankful for?

Health. Health of my family, health of my friends, health of my parents, who thank God, are still with me. I'm grateful that I have a family that I always dreamed about. I'm grateful for the job that I have. I get to do what I love. I'm grateful that I get the opportunity to be a spokesperson for things I feel are important.

This Thanksgiving, Marcia is encouraging all Facebook mommies to go to My Chinet's Facebook page where they can pick a plate, decorate it and show it on their profile page. By doing this, mommy will feed her soul and donate to the cause of filling someone else's stomach this holiday season.

Lil Links: Oh Happy Day For Violet Affleck

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:52 -0800

Violet is a shiny, happy person - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Tom and Suri have a swingin' good time in Boston - Celebrity Baby Blog
Yummy lil pumpkin treats - Momologie
10 reasons why your libido ain't what it used to be - CafeMom
Shopping for your ex with your child - ParentDish
This poop doesn't stink - a diaper recycling plant set to open in the UK - MomLogic
British educators tell girls to face “reality” and accept they may not be able to “have it all” - The Laughing Stork
How do you deal with a temper tantrum in public? - Momversation
Help! My teen wants to be a vegetarian - Health

Honest to Peet: Amanda Peet in SELF Magazine

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:43 -0800

Not one to shy away from controversy or the honest truth, it's no surprise that mommy Amanda Peet is the cover girl on the December issue of SELF. The sexy mum shows off her postpartum bod and dishes on her role in the vaccinations debate, her typical date night and how she stays in shape. As the star in the flick 2012, she's a busy mom who somehow seems to keep her priorities in line all while maintaining a beaming smile on her face. Here's highlights:

The affectionate mom on how her outlook has changed since having her daughter, Frances, in February 2007:

Generally, I've become much more corny since I've had my baby girl. I think it's important for her to know that you can fail and then recover and that failure is important. It's part of the thing. You cannot escape it. There's no way you can control everything that much. It was also really important to David and I that she have a sense of silliness. We resolved to have a silly child and she is pretty silly!

On body image and having a daughter:

I do feel like it's important for her to have me be as healthy as I can be. So, you know, I don't want her to have horrible eating habits. I don't want her to never exercise. But obviously I'd much rather have her play a sport than have a gym membership before she's 20. I mean there are kids in LA who go to the gym and they have a trainer. I'm like, Play a sport!

View 5 Photos ›

To see how she spends her date nights and her stance on vaccines, read more.

On date nights:

I’m obsessed with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. If she knew how much she was in my household late at night or in the wee hours of the morning, she might be disturbed. David [her husband] and I both have a crush on her.

The child-vaccination controversy spurred her to become an activist:

I got involved because it scared me when I learned how many parents were withholding vaccines from their children. [Peet is the spokeswoman for the Measles Initiative as well as the organization Every Child by Two.] It made me frightened of the possibility that some of these diseases are coming back. This is about the future of our children’s health. It’s about what happens when you become complacent and you’re not vigilant as a community.

To see how the beautiful mom stays in shape, check out what our girl FitSugar has on the subject and see more photos, quotes on Self.com.

Photos courtesy of Mark Abrahams

Us Angels Crinkle Chiffon Dress (Little Girls & Big Girls) - $79.90	Us Angels Sequin Dress (Toddler, Little Girls & Big Girls) - $154.00
Pre-Teen Girl Tyra Dress - $54.00	Juicy Couture Eyelet Dress, Sizes 2-6 - $152.00
Toddler Girls' Cherokee Eyelet Dot Dress - White - $17.99	Infant Girls Cherokee Eyelet Dot Dress - White - $17.99
Carter's® Bow-Accent Eyelet Dress - $28.00	Sweet Heart Rose Floral Belt Dress (Infant) - $36.00
Jayne copeland toddler satin & organza dress - $60.00	Embroidered Circle Dress - $22.50
Embroidered bow dress - $34.50	Tulle Trim Taffeta Dress - $148.00
Swiss Dot Dress - $22.50	Little Bitty Little Girl Pink Floral Easter Dress with Headband - $34.00