LilSugar

Tell Mommy: Where Do You Hide Gifts From Santa?

LilSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:00:05 -0800

It's time to stow your holiday purchases so lil snoopers don't ruin their surprise. As a child, I always liked finding my presents under the tree, but one of my friends used to scour her house until she located her loot, then she'd tear a corner and take a peek. After, she re-wrapped them so her parents wouldn't notice and acted surprised on Christmas morning.

I keep my kids' gifts from St. Nick in our storage closet in the garage. Where do you hide presents for your lil ones prior to Santa's arrival?

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Mommy Dearest: Gifts For Doctor and Delivery Nurses?

LilSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:00:45 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

I am 30 weeks pregnant and a friend asked me what I plan to buy for the doctor and nurses that deliver my baby. I hadn't thought about getting them anything. She bought cigars for the doctor and flowers for the nurses that delivered her babies and said it's customary to give gifts. Is this true?

-To Give or Not to Give

To read the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

To Give or Not to Give,

I don't think giving medical professionals presents is customary though you should do what you feel is appropriate. I was induced so several nurses and doctors assisted in the hours leading up to my delivery. I thanked the staff verbally and wrote them a note but didn't as a new mom felt compelled to hit the mall and purchase a slew of presents as we, and our insurance company paid a hefty hospital bill. I do know women who have left the flowers they received for the nurses or presented someone who stood out during their stay with a box of candy. As far as cigars that strikes me as a slightly inappropriate gift to give a health professional but to each their own.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.
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Mommy Dearest: Appropriate Amount to Spend on a Gift?

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:00:51 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

My daughter is in kindergarten and gets invited to lots of birthday parties.

Most of them have been held at a jumpy house, playground or the celebrant's home.

How much should I spend on presents?

- Price of Presents

To see Mommy Dearest's response, read more.

Price of Presents.

I think the price of a present should be whatever you are comfortable giving and an amount that won't make other gift givers uncomfortable should the presents be opened at the party.

For example, don't buy a bike when everyone else bought puzzles. That said, my daughter is four-years-old and from the parties we've attended it looks like guests spend upwards of $10.

Since books, toys and art kits are sold at all price levels, there's no reason to spend a fortune. And, most kids are more occupied by the cake, ice cream and games than what's wrapped up in the boxes.

-Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.
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The Pull Present

babysugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Okay, so the father doesn't actually pull the baby out per se, but he's often there to mentally coax mama along as she pushes the baby into the world. It has become common practice in recent years for men to bestow a gift upon their wives for birthing their child. Whether it's a card, balloons, roses, or a diamond tennis bracelet, it's nice to be recognized for nine months of hard work. When I had my first child, I gave my husband a lil something to thank him for all of his coaching, attention to detail and concern during my childbearing months. Here are some ideas if you're looking to give your daddy a "pull" present, too. Source

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Playful Push Presents For Less Than $20

LilSugar — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:02:31 -0700

Most moms will tell you baby's birth is gift enough, but push presents allow daddy the chance to salute mama on a job well done. While these tokens usually come in the form of keepsake jewelry, heartfelt cards, flowers and candy, mom won't expect a big bundle from friends or distant family members.

If you want to give a sister, relative or friend something to commemorate the moment, remember it's the gesture that counts and laughter will help aid any leftover labor pains the endorphins and meds can't cure. Make her giggle and glow with a push present that delivers the funny on the cheap.

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10 Incredibly Practical Baby Shower Presents

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:00:24 -0700

In this economy, parents-to-be are thinking less about luxurious layettes and more about baby basics. If you are looking to purchase something sensible for a mama-to-be, check out our slideshow of practical presents. Source

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Lil Tip: Keeping Track of Presents

LilSugar — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 04:00:54 -0800

Kids tear the wrapping off presents faster than you can grab the cards. And, when you're at a chaotic family get together keeping track of who gave your kids what is quite a task.

So this Christmas give them some incentive by turning it into a game. Ask your children to tuck the tag or card into the corresponding box after opening a gift. The child that has them all in order when you get home wins!

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Lil Green Thumbs Get the Garden Growing

babysugar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00:18 -0800

Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With basil and carrots and flowers too! Spring might not have sprung quite yet, but there is no time like the present to get your garden in gear. Parents and teachers alike spend much of the year teaching wee ones about healthy eating habits and where their food comes from. While you can spend your weekends perusing farmers markets and showing your tot what fruits and vegetables look like prior to cooking, actually letting them get their hands dirty with the produce is another experience entirely.

Whether you have space for a full-grown vegetable garden in your yard, or only a small window box filled with herbs, now is the time to start mapping out just what your garden will look like. Selecting herbs and vegetables that make up your child's favorite dishes is one sure way to get them involved. Having fun tools to get the job done is another. Check out the products we've found to fit lil green thumbs and tell us what you plan to plant as the weather warms up.

Signs of Autism Appear in Second Half of First Year

babysugar — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:02:42 -0800

Parental observation may be an inaccurate way to gauge the early signs of autism. For years, doctors have relied on moms and dads to provide them with information regarding dwindling social interaction in tots' first two years of life. But a new study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry may have doctors searching elsewhere for accurate reports.

California researchers have found that behavioral signs of autism – lack of smiling, eye contact, and vocalization – are not present at birth but begin to emerge at 6 months. At that point, rather than slowing development, as researchers previously thought, tots who went on to be diagnosed with autism actually began regressing. According to the study, parents did not observe such regressions. In fact, most later claimed that their wee ones exhibited the signs from birth. The researchers said:

[The] results suggest that behavioral signs of autism are not present at birth, as once suggested by Kanner, but emerge over time through a process of diminishment of key social communication behaviors. More children may present with a regressive course than previously thought, but parent report methods do not capture this phenomenon well.

How carefully do you note your child's social development milestones?

Dashing Diaper Cakes Any Mama Can Make

LilSugar — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:00:20 -0800

Oh mama! Giving birth to an aww-inspiring baby shower can feel like, well, childbirth, but it doesn't have to. I always advise friends to keep the theme and presentation simple so guests and the mama-to-be can focus on four things: forthcoming baby, friends, food and fun. Homemade diaper cakes are a spectacular centerpiece and gift for any mom and can be tailored to her personality, the gender of the baby and your budget. Use these six dazzling diaper cakes BabySugar has cooked up for fellow Sugar gals and friends as your base and ice to your taste.

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