LilSugar

Family Ties: Mother or Father Knows Best?

LilSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:00:23 PDT

Co-parenting is nothing new, but when a couple juggles working full time and raising their children on their own, tag teaming becomes all the more important - or does it? For four years, my husband and I have taken care of our two kids and dual careers without enlisting childcare. While it's a dream in many ways - we've watched every milestone and been able to spend those crucial and fleeting first years with our kids, it's also a challenge.

The technical bugs like who needs to be where have been worked out, but things like laundry piles and wiping down the kitchen counters are more a matter of perspective. We have the same game plan, but play on different fields. When I'm with my son and daughter, they follow more of a routine, pick up after themselves and sit down for meals. Their daddy's agenda is completely different. The threesome spends every moment possible outside digging ditches in the dirt, climbing structures and engaging in activities that would likely give uncoordinated me a heart attack. Meals happen as they do and the same goes for cleaning up messes. But conflicting parenting styles aside, I know that splitting their time between us will make them more well rounded individuals. To find out an expert's opinion,

A recent segment on Good Morning America covered this issue. Moms and dads are typically different, but experts seem to think the contrasts have little effect on the children. It said:

"The bottom line for children is, 'I don't have just one and a half person who is nuts about me. I have two and they are kind of nuts about me in interesting ways. They bring out different parts of me,'" explains Kyle Pruett, M.D., a child psychiatrist and the author of "Father Need: Why Father Care Is as Essential as Mother Care for Your Child."

Do you and your partner's parenting styles differ?
Source

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony Raise Twins On Their Own

LilSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:00:54 PDT

New mama Jennifer Lopez won't be searching for a Mary Poppins to help with the daily duties of raising three-month-old twins, Max and Emme. According to Access Hollywood, the triple threat and her husband, Marc Anthony are doing something rather unconventional when it comes to the rich and famous - juggling their careers and the tasks of child-rearing alone. He said:

“She expects me to help and she makes no bones about it,” Marc said. “I get the late shift. I get literally from 10 PM because we don’t have a nanny. It’s just me and Jennifer figuring it out. From 10 PM to 8 [AM], that’s my shift”

And, unlike many stars who hit the gym before they head to Gymboree, the actress is less concerned with her postpartum bod than bonding with her children. Marc said:

“Yeah, yes she is, but she’s more in mommy mode,” Marc said. “She has three movies lined up and she’s eager to go back to work, but the babies have been a blessing all the way around and she’s just amazing. She’s such an amazing mom and I’m so proud of her. She’s such a gem to watch.”

Do you admire the couple's decision to raise their family on their own?
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What's Your Sign, Beautiful? Taurus (April 21-May 20)

Jaime Richards — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:20:00 PDT

If you're a Taurus, you can be described as patient, decisive, and reliable. And while you're likely a lover of luxury, your practicality ensures you won't take your need for quality goods to levels of excess. When times are tough, you may be considered temperamental and resentful, but your warm-hearted nature makes up for it in the long run. Famous Taureans include: Janet Jackson, Rosario Dawson, Penelope Cruz, Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Alba, Tina Fey, Malin Akerman, Adele, and Cate Blanchett.

To bring out your inner Taures beauty: Think green. As an earth sign, greenish tones (your color) appeal to you, while bright, bold tones tend to take a back seat. The throat and neck are your focus body parts, so be sure to spritz on perfume and try hairstyles (such as updos) to bring attention to the area. To find out more about the Taurus-themed products above, just keep reading.

9 Easy Tricks to Maximize Your Wardrobe

LearnVest — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:15:31 PDT

Despite what you think, you actually don't need more clothes. The trick is to just maximize your wardrobe. LearnVest shares how.

Whether you live for shopping the latest trends or wish you could spend every day in your favorite pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, your clothes project a message about who you are.

The great thing is that you have the power to control that message entirely - as long as what you already own isn’t standing in your way.

From having a wardrobe that’s bursting with every item of clothing you’ve had since childhood to owning a ton of pieces that you never wear (the definition of wasted money), these are the ways your closet can stop you from being the most stylish version of yourself.

To cut through the clutter and help you get the most from the items you already have, we polled everyone we know - including all of the LearnVest editors, who are definitely invested in looking their best on a budget, and one fashion expert - to come up with nine easy, inventive ways for you to make over the closet you have without spending a ton on new trends.

At least one of these strategies will dramatically change the way you feel about getting dressed in the morning.

1. Follow the Rainbow

This strategy comes courtesy of LearnVest reader Erin Greenbaum, who has used this technique for years with great success. Every day for a week, make sure that your ensemble includes an item of a certain color: week one is red, two is orange, three is yellow, etc. This will encourage you to search through your closet and actually wear the pieces that have been languishing, unloved, underneath your go-to items.

2. First In, Last Out

In her new book, You Are What You Wear, Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner says that the majority of people wear 20 percent of their closet 80 percent of the time. There are variations on this “first in, last out” wardrobe strategy, which prevent you from wearing a few pieces nonstop.

Instead of wearing the same small percentage of your closet every week, do what Assistant Editor Alden Wicker does: after wearing an outfit, she hangs it in the most remote corner of her closet, which forces her to see only pieces she hasn’t worn frequently. If she’s totally uninspired by a piece staring her right in the face, she has to decide whether to consign it or not. Another approach (which might be better if you like to organize by item type - dresses near dresses, shirts near shirts) is to hang each item inside out after you wear it (assuming you don’t have to wash it immediately). This way, you can easily see which pieces you’ve recently worn and which items you may have forgotten about.

Read on for more.

How to Prepare Your Child For a New Sibling

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 06:43:49 PDT

While some older siblings might be thrilled by the news of your pregnancy, children often will react negatively. Some might even break down into tears, like in this sad but relatable home video of a mom's pregnancy announcement.

The news of a new sibling can be devastating to a child, because it means that he might receive less of your time and attention and will have to share his toys and your affection. Especially if you are already dividing your time between two or more siblings, the arrival of another baby can be threatening. To help prepare your child (or children) for a new sibling, here are a few steps to take while you are still pregnant.

Nurture children during the grieving period: News of the new arrival might be the greatest heartbreak of your child's little life thus far. Take the time to hold and comfort them, which will help them feel secure and less apprehensive about splitting your attention with the baby. Reassure them that you love them, that you recognize they are sad, and that you are here when they need attention and affection.
Set aside some daily alone time: Every child needs a little special attention from mom and dad, even if it's breakfast in the morning, a special note in the lunch box, or a book to read in bed. Kids tend to misbehave when they don't feel recognized or listened to, so it's important to make an effort to give them some undivided attention every day.
Make your child feel like a hero: Repeatedly tell your child how important his role as an older sibling will be. Talk about his unique qualities and contributions to the family, whether it's his exuberant storytelling, willingness to help out, or great listening skills.

Check out four more ways to prep for baby.

Prego and on the Run: Round Ligament Pain

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:14:36 PDT

If you used to run regularly before there was a little bundle of joy growing inside you, doctors think it's safe to continue with your running routine while pregnant. You should def get the OK from your OB though, and once you do, you may find it helps with some common pregnancy symptoms such as constipation, leg cramps, lower back pain, and fatigue. Yeah, being with child is fun!

Running with a bun in the oven is much harder than running solo. You get winded more easily, your muscles tire quicker, and since your body is changing so much, you may experience some aches and pains. In my fifth month of pregnancy with a "popped" belly, I experienced aching in my lower belly that felt like the muscles were overstretching. This pain is known as round ligament pain and it's really common for pregos in their second trimester.

Keep reading to find out if it's harmful to your baby or if it means you should give up running.

Taste the Rainbow: Green

Camilla Salem — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:30:12 PDT

Crisp green produce just looks like it's good for you, doesn't it? Out of all of the colors of the rainbow, I tend to prefer green veggies the most. While there are countless fresh and tasty options, I was drawn in particular to avocados, artichokes, english peas, and lettuce. Find out what we like to do with these bright green ingredients when you keep reading.

6 Tips to Spend Less on Health Care

Kiplinger — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:15:48 PDT

Many people pay a lot of money for medical expenses. Kiplinger shares a couple of ways to cut your health bills.

Spend less on drugs

Switching to generic drugs is one of the easiest ways to save - especially now that some big-name medications, such as Lipitor, have gone generic (see Brand-Name Lipitor at Generic Prices). Some brand-name drugs don’t have a generic clone but do have a therapeutic equivalent, which is in the same class of drugs but is a little different chemically. You can look up generics and therapeutic equivalents at www.drx.com (or through your insurer’s Web site) and also see how much you can save by using mail order. Ask your doctor about lower-cost alternatives.

Spend less at the hospital

Physicians often work at outpatient surgery centers as well as hospitals, and the cost of treatment can vary widely by location even though you’re getting care from the same doctor. Before scheduling a procedure, ask whether the doctor works at any other facilities. Then call the hospitals or outpatient centers to compare costs. Fees for the doctor and the anesthesiologist might be the same, but you’re likely to save on the facility fee.

Read on for more.

OnSugar Blog: Chicken & Carrot Porridge Baby Recipe Plus Storage Solutions!

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 03:17:07 PST

Lots of moms like to think out loud, and CherylDee is one of them. Here is one of the latest posts to her Lipsticks to Baby Bottles blog.
This is probably one of Kiara's favourite dishes, and I believe many Asian kids, too! It's easy peasy to make and tastes delish!

What you'll need:

Minced chicken
Diced carrots
Rice (brown rice if you want a healthier choice)
Bovril (optional)
Garlic (optional)
Chicken stock (optional)

For all the items that I stated as optional, it's really up to you which you would prefer. Some would rather skip Bovril and garlic and just use chicken stock, whereas some would do the opposite. So that part is really up to you and depends on how you would like your baby's food to be. I personally have used all three methods, and Kiara likes them all the same.

Step one: Add rice and carrots to a pot of boiling water (or boiling chicken stock). You can add finely chopped garlic if you would prefer to add more flavor to the dish.

Step two: I let this simmer in for about 15 to 20 minutes until the carrots are softer. Plus the rice takes a while to cook, too! Once done, add your minced chicken, which cooks quite fast since it's itty-bitty pieces.

Keep reading to see the rest of the recipe.

Fat-Proof Your Life

Health — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:06 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Maridel Reyes

It's true that there are certain times in your life when extra poundage seems to appear out of nowhere . . . and settle on you. In fact, experts have honed in on the exact moments when you're most vulnerable to weight gain.

"Life transitions, having a baby, and going through menopause cause many women to pile on pounds," says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of But I Deserve This Chocolate!: The 50 Most Common Diet-Derailing Excuses and How to Outwit Them. "But with planning and prep, you can stay thin."

We asked top experts for their strategies to help you ward off weight creep - and even shed pounds - at these tricky stages. Solutions ahead.

Getting married

Heavier ever after? It can be the flip side of wedded bliss: "Six out of 10 of my clients come back heavier after the honeymoon," says celebrity fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch.

Health.com: 25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat

Young newlyweds pack on an extra six to nine pounds in the five years after getting hitched compared to singletons, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And most of that gain happens in the first year of marriage.

"Couples start to mirror each other's eating habits," explains Albers. "You might be matching him calorie for calorie without realizing it."

Learn how to keep the pounds down postmarriage and in the mommy years, after the break.