LilSugar

Lil Tip: Sing Your Children to Sleep

LilSugar — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700

When it comes to my singing, I've got a couple of fans. My son and daughter don't mind that my vocals are off tune, in fact, my tunes help them sleep. If your tot has trouble transitioning from bathtub to bedtime, try breaking out in song. Turn this into a fun activity by having them help you with the lyrics. Once you perfect the tune specific to the child, sing or hum it to soothe them.
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A Kid Friendly Tribute to Michael Jackson

babysugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:30:35 -0700

A controversial entertainer who certainly had some quirks, Michael Jackson was a superstar who will be sorely missed by millions. John Mayer may have said it best when he twittered:

I think we'll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player. Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ.

Michael Jackson gave children of the 80s the soundtrack to their childhood and the trademark dance moves to go along with it. To make sure younger generations don't miss out on his legacy, here's a list of kid friendly songs from the deceased artist as well as some from his Jackson 5 days that can play tribute to the King of Pop, rest his soul.

"The Love You Save"
"Man in the Mirror"
"Rockin' Robin"
"Shake Your Body"
"I Want You Back"

To see the rest, read more.

"Sugar Daddy"
"I'll Be There"
"ABC"
"We Are the World" (with other artists)
"Don’t Stop til You Get Enough"
"Black or White"
"Will You Be There"
"You Rock My World"

Note to Rockabye Baby, get on the Michael Jackson album. Who wouldn't want a lullaby themed "Thriller!?"
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Musical Playlist For Family Road Trips and Car Rides

babysugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:00:25 -0700

"Look kids! Big Ben, Parliament!" Get ready for those Vacationesque family road trips with a music compilation suited to please everyone in the car. Parents won't have to endure hours of Hannah Montana and the kids won't grind their teeth to the tune of Rush if mama downloads some of these top Summer songs onto her playlist. Pretty soon everyone will be singing along and the root tooters in the backseat will be demanding a repeat.

"Coconut" by Harry Nilsson
"We're Going to Be Friends" by White Stripes
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen
"Wishful Thinking" by the Ditty Bops
"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves

To see the other 15 songs, just read more.

"I Love a Rainy Night" by Eddie Rabbit
"Love Story" by Taylor Swift
"Just a Ride" by Jem
"Wooly Bully" by Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs
"Surfin USA" by The Beach Boys
"In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry
"Wipeout" by the Sufaris
"Here Comes the Sun" by George Harrison
"Tutti Frutti" by Little Richard
"Splish Splash" by Bobby Darin
"Beautiful Day" by U2
"Stand by Me" by Ben E. King
"No Rain" by Blind Melon
"Lollipop" by The Chordettes
"Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynard Skynard

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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.

You Know You're a Mother When: Your Child Has a Song

LilSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 09:00:28 -0700

Like I said, life's a musical once you bring home babe, but song writing isn't a pen and paper type activity. It's more like you tire of talking to your newborn without reply so you take up a tune or your tot is having a hissy so you hum to calm them. And, before you know it the makeshift lyrics have been committed to memory.

To see my kids' songs, read more.

My daughter's song, "Love Bug" was concocted in the sleep deprivation and delirium that ensued after we came home from the hospital. Though we've tweaked the lyrics and remixed it from a lullaby to a jazz tune in the past four years, she still connects with it. My son's song, "10,000 Kisses" is a collaboration between my daughter and me. We invented the song and accompanying dance to make him belly laugh. And, now that he's a busy lil bugger, the choreographed motion of swooping him up in the air usually distracts him from whatever dangerous thing he's about to get into.

Does your tot have a tune?

Does Your Baby Have a Song?

babysugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:00:29 -0700

One of my must–haves for my hospital suitcase was music. I packed portable speakers and my iPod loaded with 100 plus special "baby–to–be" songs.

To see what happened when my daughter was born, read more.

When my newborn made her debut, K.T. Tunstall's "Suddenly I See" rang out. The song starts, "Her face is a map of the world, is a map of the world. You can see she's a beautiful girl, she's a beautiful girl."

Not knowing my babe's gender ahead of time, there couldn't have been a more poignant or perfect song. Every time I hear the tune, my heart melts a little.

Do you have a special song for your wee one?

The Gifted Child: Daddy's Shopping List For Wee Ones

babysugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:00:57 -0800

Father knows best! Let daddy play Santa and send him out with a list of baby's must haves for the holiday season. Whether he's creative, sporty, brainy, or all the above, papa will get excited for the excellent gift lineup we've prepared for dear old dad. Tots can get physical with pop when they play their new acoustic six-string guitar. If getting in on the act is too much to handle, try sitting back and listening to the tunes crooned by the Juice Box Heroes. Their debut CD ($17), aptly titled "No Sugar Added," is sure to be a hit and will have the whole house jukin' around to "We Are Going to Bake It!" And yes, it's a takeoff of the hit 80s song, "We're Not Gonna Take It." It's just that good. So go 'head dads - shop away!
For a full widget with links to fabulous gifts any child would be lucky to receive from dear old dad, as well as a guide to making a wish list you can share with family and friends, just read more.

Want to make a holiday wish list for your tots and share it with the family? Log in to ShopStyle, hover over items and click "wish list." You will create a wish list just like mine that you can share with family and friends.

Do You Allow Your Kids to Listen to Mainstream Music?

LilSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:00:32 -0700

A song lyric containing a swear word slipped from my daughter's lips the other day, and I was taken aback. At four, she loves music and listens to it daily. But since lyrics blare just about everywhere - on the radio, in people's cars, at the mall, and on television commercials - it's hard to edit everything my kids hear. Do you go with the flow or try to censor sound?

Listen Up! It's a Back to School Playlist

babysugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:00:49 -0700

A song can take one back to a place and time with just a few notes. For instance, take "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. Just three "umpa umpa umpas" will have toes tapping and heads bopping as the listener recalls their life as an acid jean wearing teenybopper. Give tots a head start on their musical memories by playing these stellar back to school songs on their way to the learning annex. Here are some of our favorites. Add yours to the list in the comments so we can all enjoy more!

"Welcome Back" (from Welcome Back Kotter) by John Sebastian
"We're Going to Be Friends" by White Stripes
"School Day" by Chuck Berry
"Me and Julio Down by the School Yard" by Paul Simon
"No Such Thing" by John Mayer
"Charlie Brown" by The Coasters
"Back to School Again" by the Four Tops from the Grease 2 soundtrack
"Be True To Your School" by The Beach Boys
"School Girl" by The Five Royales
"ABC" by Jackson Five
"East Northumberland High" by Miley Cyrus

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

Raising Bilingual Babies Like Honor and Sam

babysugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:30:05 -0700

Expectant mamas hoping to give their children the best springboard into life often use in-utero techniques like the Ritmo Prenatal or BabyPlus and continue to teach them the ABCs and 123s once out of the womb. Their wee brains are like sponges, soaking up bits and pieces that could make a college student green with envy. Parents skilled in multiple languages are smart to teach their youngsters the different tongues early on, giving them a strong language base from which they can grow.

Elin and Tiger Woods are making sure their babes know Swedish and English while Jessica Alba is tossing Spanish words like gato and pato out to her daughter Honor. The doting mother said:

I am a mother who shoves information down her throat, poor thing. . . . I sing her songs about colors in Spanish and English when I'm cooking. . . . So now she kind of points to blue and says "azul" and I say "Yes, azul, muy bien!" It's slow-going but she's sort of picking it up.

Do you have a bilingual babe?