LilSugar

A Few of Lil's Favorite Things: September

LilSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:00:04 -0700

This month families will fall back into a routine as the kiddos head back to class and parents get organized. While you're stocking up on items to take you through the rest of the year, consider some of our fabulous must haves that make a mama's life easier! From baby gear to art supplies, we've got a few favorite lil things.

Storksak Jess Diaper Bag ($158). Whether you've got one babe or a bunch, the British brand makes amazing totes for mothers on the move. The Jess is a well-made, stylish bag that provides enough space to stash necessities and sits firm on a mum's shoulder so she can hold onto lil hands or push a stroller.
Made Me Blush Smartzip Sleeper ($24). The soft cotton one piece is perfect for a sleeping babe because it zips both ways making changing diapers a cinch.
Snugli Sway Soft Carrier ($35). Many slings involve a mother wrapping her wee one, but the Snugli has a secure insert to buckle the newborn in and even nurse!
Simple Shoes for Kids ($38 - $42). These colorful and flexible shoes will keep your toddler on track and in style.
Corsario Soft Pencil Case ($25). Made my Haba, this cute pirate cannon can hold writing utensils and erasers while doubling as a rolling desktop toy.

A Few of Lil's Favorite Things: September

LilSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Send your kids back to school with a hardy lunch in hand. While your children may be focused on hitting the books, there's no time like the present to make sure they are mindful of the world around them. Help them choose an Eco-friendly lunch box or lunch sack to tote and store their mid-day meal. These reusable options are economical as you won't have to invest in any brown paper bags and environmentally conscious since they make for limited debris. Don't forget to tell your tots to toss their leftovers in the compost bin.

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Does Your Child Watch Baby DVDs?

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:32 -0700

The name says it all. Parents who wanted their child to be the smartest kid on the block loaded up on the brainy Baby Einstein DVDs hoping to boost their babe's brainpower. Some parents popped in the educational videos to gain an extra 20 minutes to themselves. No matter their intention, unsatisfied customers will be able to get their money back. The Walt Disney Company is offering a refund to anyone who purchased a Baby Einstein DVD between June 5, 2004 and September 4, 2009 ($15.99/DVD for up to four videos). This comes after a class action lawsuit was threatened against the brand for claiming the Baby Einstein DVDs are educational, especially as studies have found that TV time for little ones under the age of 3-years old is associated with attention problems later in life.

Still, many parents feel there is nothing wrong with a little downtime in front of the small screen and find these gentle cartoons to be good entertainment for their wee ones. Does your toddler or baby watch DVDs?

10 US Birth Facts You Might Not Know

LilSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:00:18 -0700

September is a big month for babies! Here at Sugar HQ, we are awaiting the births of two new Sugar babies in the next three weeks. Birthing trends in the US are tracked by each state and the cumulative data is full of surprises. Here are 10 facts you probably didn't know.

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Which Controversial Mom Would You Rather Watch?

LilSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:30:21 -0700

The outspoken and conservative co-host of The View, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, has been known to raise eyebrows (particularly those of her counterparts) with her firm statements and perspectives on topical issues. While the mom of three is on maternity leave with her family's newest addition, baby Isaiah, another mama who has made headlines will slip into her spot at the table. It's been announced that the most well-known mother of multiples, Kate Gosselin will get comfy chatting with Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and Sherri Shepherd on September 14th and 15th. The reality star and mom to eight has also been known to strike a cord with viewers be it good or bad. Who would you rather watch?

More Magazines Showcase Belly-Sleeping Babies

LilSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:00:33 -0700

Does the "back-to-sleep" campaign only apply to real-life parenting and not the magazines aimed at moms and dads? A study appearing in the September issue of Pediatrics took a look at 28 women's and parenting magazines – from which many mamas learn about new products and techniques – and found that more than one-third of the photos depicting babies showed them in unsafe sleeping positions, while two-thirds showed them in unsafe sleep conditions. The researchers, who looked at photos to determine if the baby was placed on its side or stomach rather than on its back, as well as the presence of bumpers, loose blankets and strings, are nervous that the images will have greater influence over new parents' actions than their doctors' orders. We've seen set designers place tots in some precariously decorated cribs, both with Brooke Burke's ribbon-filled nursery and Jennifer Lopez's extremely plush one, and say the photos were rooms not designed for use, but photos. Do magazine readers make that distinction?

School Year's Resolutions: Budget-Friendly Clothes Shopping

LilSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:00:00 -0700

The styles may have changed, but the rules haven't. Parents building their kids' back-to-school wardrobes know that following a few guidelines is the key to keeping their kids fashionable without breaking the bank.

Families are expected to spend an average of $204.67 on clothing items as their youngsters head back to class, down 7.7 percent from last year. Before stocking your children's closets with the retro rock-concert tees, plaids, and thin horizontal stripes, check out our tips for stretching your clothing dollars.

Take stock. Check out your child's closet to assess what she really needs before hitting the store. Pants and sweaters from last year may still fit for the beginning of the school year.
Spend wisely. Consider spending more on everyday staples like jeans, khakis, and solid leggings. Trendier pieces, as well as underwear and socks, are worn through more quickly and should use less of your budget.
Travel a bit. Many states offer tax-free shopping on certain weeks prior to the school year's return. Consider making a day trip if one is in your area.
Take advantage of incentives. Stores are doing everything they can to get shoppers, even offering significant discounts for people buying more. The Children's Place is offering a free t-shirt when two pairs of jean are purchased, while Gap is offering a second pair of jeans for $10 when you pay full price for the first pair. You may only need one pair of pants now, but buy a second pair the next size up and stow them away for the next growth spurt.
Hold back. Many stores have yet to offer their best deals. If your child is demanding a new outfit for the first day of school, buy one, but then hold off and do the rest of your shopping in mid-to-late September when the stores are putting their Fall clothes on clearance.

Enter to win a $1,000 wardrobe for your child from Tea Collection!

Jenny McCarthy Talks Autism, Instincts, and Jim Carrey

LilSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Jenny McCarthy is one candid cover girl. We'd expect nothing less from the passionate mother and autism advocate who posed with her son Evan, 7, for the September cover of Cookie. Check out a few of the highlights from the interview.

On how she felt when Evan had a seven-hour seizure and went into cardiac arrest in 2004: I ran out of my house and into my driveway and screamed at the top of my lungs to God to just take him away, because I loved him so much and he was in so much pain.

On Amanda Peet calling parents who don't vaccinate their children "parasites": I think vaccines are one of the greatest things ever invented. I used to be [Peet] before I had a kid with autism.

On the position of Generation Rescue: "Vaccinations are safe - dot, dot, dot - for some kids. Vaccinations are not safe - dot, dot, dot - for other kids. Let’s protect the ones who are weak. We are pro–safe vaccine. Vaccines are just not one size fits all. If you gave everyone in the world penicillin, there would be some adverse effects for some people, and possibly deaths."

On parental instincts: "We’re the generation of parents who are saying, ‘Listen to us. We are the bosses of our children.’ I want parents to realize that, and not get pushed around by doctors who say, ‘Oh, that’s 100 percent safe.’"

On her most humbling mom moment: "Watching Evan pee on a fake tree in a waiting room."

On her relationship with Jim Carrey: "It’s wacky-weird that not only does [Carrey] not want to get married, which I love, but he also doesn’t want to have more kids, which I love."

Are Working Moms Better Bosses?

LilSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:00:14 -0700

Reaching into a briefcase and pulling out a sippy cup instead of a document on deadline is one of the laughs a working mama endures as she juggles office tasks with raising children. Though almost three-quarters of lilsugar readers believe that working moms are treated unfairly on the job, a new book argues that being a parent may make women better bosses.

Shari Storm's Motherhood Is the New MBA: Using Your Parenting Skills to Be a Better Boss, which will be released in September, suggests that bringing the skills we develop as parents into the boardroom gives ladies the confidence to be more effective leaders. Skills like standing one's ground during a temper tantrum and using polite language make mothers more effective on the job. There are many reasons to love being a working mom, but is being a better employee one of them?

Josh and Anna Duggar Expecting Baby!

LilSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:07:46 -0700

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are going to be grandparents! The couple made famous by their TLC show, Eighteen Kids and Counting, is growing their family. But, this time it's not Michelle who is with child, but her daughter-in-law, Anna. Joshua Duggar, 21, the eldest of Jim Bob and Michelle's brood, got married in September and the newlyweds recently announced their exciting baby news. The parents-to-be plan to leave the number of children they have in "God's hands" and name them with a theme, but no word if they will continue the "J" tradition. The bundle of joy is due on October 18. We're looking forward to the next generation of Duggars!

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