LilSugar

Do You Use Your Baby's Products?

babysugar — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:00:41 -0700

Babies' changing tables are filled with a boatload of products to keep them soft, dry, and smelling like, well, a baby. The products may be designed to be gentle on a lil one's delicate skin, but there are no laws preventing mama from swiping a bit for her own use.

When my tot was diagnosed with a bad case of eczema, the doctor recommended coating him in Aquaphor at every diaper change until we got the scaly patches under control. In the process of creating my lil greaseball, my hands benefited from the super moisturizing power of the miracle product. A tube of the stuff now sits next to my kitchen sink for post-dishwashing hand care. A friend told me that she uses her daughter's shampoo to clean her makeup brushes, saying that the all-natural formulation makes her feel better than what the department stores sell.

Do you borrow your child's products for your own use?

What Is Your Tot's Favorite Toy Right Now?

babysugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:30:36 -0700

Kids are a fickle bunch. Their favorite food one night could be the root of a temper tantrum the next and the t-shirt they insist on wearing every day for a week can sit in the drawer the following one. But once lil ones find something they like, they can grasp onto it for what seems like forever.

Over the holidays my oldest son received a box of Kaskey Kids Football Guys ($30), a case of plastic football figurines that can be moved across a felt field in a mock game. At first, he didn't know what to do with the figures, but over the course of three months, he and the players have become inseparable. He takes them into the bath, situates them around his place mat at dinner and hides a few in his backpack for school. I never would have thought that a preschooler could become so attached to such nondescript figures.

What is your child's favorite toy right now?

When Did You First Visit Disney?

babysugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 -0700

With schools' rolling spring breaks in full swing many families' thoughts turn to the magical world of Disney. Whether it be frolicking with the princesses, riding It's a Small World or taking pictures with Mickey and his pals, the Disney theme parks have caught the attention of youngsters and their parents for generations.

But with single day ticket prices costing as much as $68 per child – and that doesn't even include transportation to the parks and accommodations once you arrive – a trip to the land of the Mouse is hardly an inexpensive one. Given the costs, many families hold off on visiting the wonderlands until their children are old enough to enjoy the whole park, while others plan a trip as soon as their tots can utter the characters' names.

When did you first take your lil ones to a Disney resort?

French School Children Dine on Five Course Lunches

babysugar — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:07 -0700

In France, public school students sit down to a five course lunch every day, and no meal is repeated for two months. Your child's prepacked lunch of favorites probably pales in comparison. A Time magazine article, marveled at the French public school system's lunch program since US moms try a variety of tricks to entice their tots to eat something other than the standard peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips and a piece of fruit. While our first lady begins an initiative to increase vegetable consumption among lil tykes, our French counterparts can sit back and peruse a monthly menu that includes an hors d’oeuvre, salad, main course, cheese plate and dessert as well as dinner suggestions for home.

Some may argue that the time to consume such a meal would be better placed in the classroom, but given the staggering US childhood obesity epidemic, and the known benefits of the French diet, perhaps spending more time learning about food would benefit our children. What do you think?

Tell Mommy: Did You Have Kids Before Your Siblings?

babysugar — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:00:07 -0700

Having siblings growing up can make for some friendly familial competition. Older children can set an example for younger ones and pave the way when it comes to things like curfews and dating. Sometimes there's sibling rivalry, but there's also using fond memories between brothers and sisters.

As kids get older, it's exciting to see how relationships evolve especially when siblings start families of their own. Being an aunt or uncle is an honor for a brother or sister and may even inspire them to have their own offspring. Tell me, did you have kids before your siblings or was it the other way around?

Do You Believe Parents Can Influence Babies' Sleep Habits?

babysugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:04 -0800

Some parents would give their right arm just to get their lil one to sleep through the night. They read books, consult the web, and even hire trainers to come in and coach their nocturnal tykes. While there are various philosophies when it comes to coaching your wee one to sleep through the night, Dr. Richard Ferber's self-soothing techniques continue to prevail among sleep-deprived parents.

A new study conducted by Canada's Today's Parent found that 69 percent of parents believe that controlled-crying techniques work if parents implement them properly, but more than half of the parents surveyed said it didn't work for them, meaning most parents don't believe they are implementing the philosophy correctly. A further look at the study showed that parents who enter sleep training with the belief that they can influence how their tot gets his shut-eye were more likely to be successful with the process.

Do you believe that mom and dad can train a baby to sleep?

What's Your Mom Guilt and How Do You Deal With It?

LilSugar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:15:52 -0800

Every mom has a bit of guilt; it's how a woman deals with it that makes the difference. Whether you are fretting about a pile of laundry (let the kids climb it!) or forgetting it was snack day at preschool (nobody starved!), it's time to get over it. Parenting recently compiled a fun and relatable list. The 31 reasons include:

2. Feeling smug that you're a better parent than those on "Supernanny". No worries. We all feel smug watching "Supernanny". Until we don't, at which time we employ her techniques.

11. Accepting your son's compliment that you're a good cook when he's eating pre-breaded microwave chicken breasts. You did your part. You pressed "Start."

12. Wiping your daughter's nose with a panty liner - the closest thing to a tissue you had in your purse. For heaven's sake - it was clean!

14. Closing the bedroom door in their little faces. You did not magically lose your need for privacy when you gave birth. If someone's bleeding or not breathing, by all means, they can knock

29. Noticing the hot dad at drop-off. Ahem, you have eyes in your head, and (sex drive or no) you're not dead yet! Did you lick him? No? You're okay.

Tell us what you used to feel guilty about and why you don't anymore.

Have You Chosen Family Over Career?

babysugar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:00:28 -0800

Nobody ever said being a working mom would be easy. It takes some carefully coordinated scheduling, a lot of trust and nerves of steel to make it all come together each day. While some mamas make the choice to stay home once their baby is born and others return to work, there is a subset that chooses to return to the workforce, but to a less grueling schedule – one that does not offer as much career advancement, but allows mom to fulfill her desire or need to work while having the flexibility to attend school plays, soccer practice and field trips.

On last night's episode of Modern Family, Mitchell had enough of his boss' weekend work requests and missing his daughter's milestones. When the law firm partner asked him to come in on a Sunday, he fumbled for an excuse and blurted out, "I have plans to stay at home with family and do absolutely nothing."

Have you chosen your family over your career goals?

What Makes a Woman a Mother?

LilSugar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:30:29 -0800

Is the word "mother" a technically or socially defined word to you? Is a woman only a mother when she has physically given birth? Or does the title also apply to those who adopt, have legal custody, or even just a hand in raising a youngster? Is the word "mom" something a woman is biologically entitled to or one that is awarded when it comes from the mouth of a child? Is a woman a mother the moment she finds out she's pregnant? And does she remain one if she miscarries or her offspring predeceases her? Tell us what you believe makes a mother.

What Do You Splurge on For Your Tot?

babysugar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0800

Nobody ever said having a baby was an inexpensive proposition. From everyday necessities like diapers and wipes to nursery gear, clothing, and food, the expenses add up - and they do so quickly! Trying to keep a new mama away from the adorable onesies or miniature shoes can be like keeping a caffeine fiend from a coffee shop. Though there are less expensive options for many of the popular products out there, some moms just feel the need to splurge on certain items.

While I stock my nursery with warehouse club-brand wipes and buy my children's pajamas at outlet stores, I can't help but use the savings on gorgeous sweaters that they most certainly don't need (and one actually refuses to wear for more than three minutes).

What do you splurge on for your lil one?