LilSugar

7 Snacks Mamas May Want to Steal From the Diaper Bag

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:34:03 PDT

Sure, we all aim to eat three well-rounded meals each day, with a healthy snack tucked in for good measure. But how often does that really happen for moms on the go? More often than not, we find ourselves fishing through the diaper bag looking to snag one of our lil ones' snacks as we dart between playdates and music classes - and a handful of Goldfish crackers doesn't do much to satisfy your hunger! A well-stocked diaper bag may be the right answer to mama's growling stomach. Here are seven kiddie snacks I find myself craving, even when I'm not spending the day with my kids!

Which New Family-Themed Show Are You Most Excited to See?

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:32:57 PDT

Is your DVR ready? With crisper temperatures in the air and the kids back in school, television execs are betting that moms are ready to plop down in front of the TV for some family-themed shows at night. You already told us that you are excited to see the return of a number of shows in the coming weeks, but there are a few new ones mama may want to add to the DVR lineup. With the success of Modern Family, there are quite a number of new family-themed shows making their debut. Our girl Buzz has the scoop on all of the new shows this season, but we want to know which you are most excited for!

Which Family Show Are You Most Excited to Return?

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:31:19 PDT

September may focus on the kids with back to school and the start of Fall extracurricular seasons, but it also gives moms plenty to look forward to. With the kids back in school, it's time to fall back into routines and fill the DVR with our favorite shows. While several family-themed shows won't be making a return to the lineup this year, a good number of them are. Tell me, which show are you most excited to see return this month?

Alyson Hannigan's Tips For the Perfect Mom's Night Out

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:35:28 PDT

Alyson Hannigan knows the value of a night off from mommy-duty. Though the mom of one - daughter Satyana, 2 - says her tot is a "love bug, (she) always wants to be in our arms," the actress makes taking a break from the terrible twos part of her regular routine. The How I Met Your Mother star sat down with me to discuss her latest project with StubHub to encourage moms to take a night off with their friends through a Mom's Night Out program.

According to the program's research, 83 percent of Americans think being a mom is the hardest job, but nearly two out of five mamas haven't had a night off in the past year. Through Mom's Night Out, Alyson and StubHub have designated select Summer events across the country as the perfect opportunity to gather friends together, hire a babysitter, and head out for the night. And if an evening without kids isn't enticing enough, a portion of proceeds from all ticket sales will be donated to Adopt-A-Classroom. Keep reading for Alyson's recipe for the perfect night out.

Photo courtesy of Alyson Hannigan

Mia Hamm Talks Kids in Sports and Making Exercise a Priority in Her Life

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:14:45 PDT

The weather may be downright cold in some parts of the country, but Spring sports are in full swing, meaning bats are hitting, balls are flying, and there is plenty of opportunity for lil ones to get some fresh air and exercise while honing their skills. As a Hall of Fame soccer star and mother of twins, Mia Hamm knows a thing or two about kids and sports – especially flying objects that can injure young athletes. I spoke to her about getting kids involved in sports, the importance of mouth guards, and how the busy mama finds time to keep herself healthy and in shape. Check it out!

Mom-Me Time: The Winner, in the Long Run

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:01:11 PDT

Like lots of moms, I'm very good at extolling the benefits of me time. Studies have shown that when moms take time for themselves, they feel better about themselves, are better parents to their kids, and are better partners to their spouses. But actually scheduling time for ourselves – between work, school runs, doctor's appointments, team practices, etc. – is easier said than done.

Sometime last December I decided I was ready to spend a little time on bettering myself. I'd spent so much time helping my two young tots achieve their goals that mine had slipped to the bottom of the to-do list. Don't get me wrong, I love helping my lil ones work toward a goal – be it taking their first steps and completing the newest section of a Lego set – but before kids, I had a list of goals for myself and I decided to revisit it.

Though I'd never run more than a 10K race (and that was way before I had kids), on a whim, I registered for the NYC Half Marathon – a 13.2-mile race through heart of the city I call home. Without much time to train during the week, my older son and I headed to the gym each weekend. I would drop him off with his friends at babysitting, get my run in, and head home to a weekend filled with typical kiddie activities. My tyke knew I was exercising downstairs, but that was about it.

Keep reading to see who the real winner of the race was.

The Middle: Does Your Life Revolve Around Your Children?

Heather Maddan — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 10:47:44 PST

Has your home been taken over by children? On last night's hilarious episode of The Middle, Frankie and Mike decide to take back their house after realizing that their lives revolve around the whims and demands of Axel, Sue, and Brick. As part of the effort, the parents plan meals around their own preferences, have a hangover-inducing date night, and stop shuttling their kids and running errands. Ultimately, they find that making their children happy has great personal rewards. For better or worse, do your offspring tell you what to do?

Photo courtesy of ABC.

No Excuses! 15 Simple Suggestions For Mom-Me Time

LilSugar — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 09:57:26 PST

Making time for yourself is never easy, but it should always be a priority. I wish I could be with my children every waking moment (and watch them while they sleep), but it's important for their development, my growth as a mother and my relationship with my husband that I get alone time to decompress every once in a while.

Here are some of my favorite ways to relax, celebrate my mommy-hood, adulthood and, well, me. I hope you are inspired to take a little time for yourself too!

Wake Up to Makeup, Expert Tips For Mom's Morning Routine

babysugar — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:00:00 PDT

When it comes to the morning rush, mom often has to compromise her mirror time. Despite time constraints, ladies like to look their best so we asked Taymour, a makeup artist at Paul Labrecque salon in NYC for some quick makeup tips to simplify a mother's routine.

Powdered foundation is easy to apply and hides many flaws. NARS Dual Powder in Stromboli is "neutral and works for everyone."
Eyebrows create a frame for the face. Spend some time – when the kids have gone to bed or during your lunch break – sculpting your eyebrows, either on your own or professionally, and the effect will last throughout the week.
Keep eye makeup simple. One all-over color, like NARS Nepal, opens the eyes and adds some shimmer, brightening the whole face.
Stick with an eyeliner pencil. It's faster and less mistake-prone than its powder and liquid siblings.
Pick a good concealer to do it all. According to Taymour, Cle de Peau is expensive but worth it. It covers under eye circles when you've been up late, conceals broken veins and can serve as an eye shadow base if necessary.

Keep reading for more helpful tips.

Do You Feel Guilty Doing Things Without Your Kids?

babysugar — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:00:26 PDT

The kids are gone, so let the party begin! Moms spend so much time planning their lives around their tots that when they actually find themselves in a child-free way, they often don't know what to do with themselves.

With the kids off at camp, or spending chunks of their Summer vacations at grandma's house, many parents are doing the unthinkable – not sitting around and wondering how their kids are holding up, but doing things without their children. From traditional date nights with a spouse (without the ticker of a babysitter looming in the background) to carefree days at the beach, mamas are enjoying their newly found – albeit temporary – freedom. Do you feel guilty having fun when the kids are away?