LilSugar

Who Will Watch the Kids at a Destination Wedding?

babysugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 05:00:35 -0700

When a friend is getting married 1,500 miles away, families have to decide whether to bring the kids or leave them at home. Sometimes the choice is made for them but other times, parents must weigh the options. For my last destination wedding, my husband and I chose to bring the tots with us. While it was a fun family trip, it posed one major dilemma - who would watch the children while we go to the wedding? In my case, Facebook came to the rescue.

Some people are wary of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, but they can actually come in quite handy for mamas in need. After booking our flight, I logged onto my Facebook account and posted a status, "Does anyone have a babysitter in the Texas hill country?" Within minutes, I had three replies offering help and phone numbers. While none of my friends live in the area, they have friends who do and were able to put me in touch with their babysitters. In an hour, I landed a sweet and responsible young lady to watch my children. Just as expected, she showed up on time and ready to work. Other sites like Sittercity and Care Square provide references for caregivers all over the country, but I prefer a direct reference from a friend. And, it's free!
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10 Wedding Themed Toys to Gift the Flower Girl

LilSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:00:16 -0700

Lil girls spend hours practicing for their role in a wedding, but when the big day arrives, nerves often get the best of them. Whether you are the bride or the flower girl's anxious mother, prepare the wee member of the bridal party with some toys that will help her replicate the wedding day. Here are 10 of my favorite wedding-related toys that will also occupy the lil darling during the reception as well. Source

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Tips For Your Lil Boy Taking on the Ring Bearer Role

LilSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:00:00 -0700

In most weddings, there's a beautiful bride, an adorable flower girl, and then a lil ring bearer who steals the show. Whether it's the dapper dude's smirk or the sparkle in his eye as he walks down the aisle, there's something to be said for a tot in a tux! If your son has had the honor of being asked to be in someone's wedding party, make sure he's prepared to fill the role.

Attend the clothing fitting to ensure that your son is comfortable in the ensemble the bride and groom have selected. You don't want your mini me fidgeting at the altar. Tux rental or purchasing a suit will run upwards of $65.
Your kiddo will also need a pair of shoes to complement his attire. Some designs can be a bit clunky so inspect the kicks to make sure he won't trip as he takes to the aisle. Shoes normally set you back $35 and up.
Rehearse prior to the formal rehearsal so your tot knows what is expected of him and won't be intimidated when the big day comes.
Keep your lil one occupied at the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception with a bag of goodies stowed in your purse.
Let him loose on the dance floor. Give him an incentive for minding his manners during the festivities - he can cut a rug once the music plays.
Know his limits. Rest up prior to the nuptials, and if your tot looks tuckered at the event, let him nap or call it a night.

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The Flower Girl Commitment

LilSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:00:24 -0700

Young ladies commonly fill the role of flower girl in weddings. While the invitation to take part in the bride and groom's life changing event is an honor, it also can be a big time and money commitment for the lil one's mom and pop. Check out our slideshow for things you should know before having your daughter take part in the nuptials. Source

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Six- and 7-Year-Old German Kids Set Out to Elope in Africa

LilSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:00:53 -0800

I'm pretty sure this surpasses the term puppy love. A couple of German children decided to skip doodling each other's names on their notebooks and set out to elope in Africa. And, they weren't about to skimp on any details. After devising a plan while their families celebrated New Year's Eve together, the kids packed all the marriage and honeymoon must haves - sunglasses, swimming trunks, a lilo, and a sibling!

One report said:

The pair identified as Mika and Anna-Lena "are very much in love and decided to get married in Africa where it is warm, taking with them as a witness Anna-Lena's little sister, aged five," police spokesman Holger Jureczko told AFP.

The tykes took off while their parents slept and boarded a nearby tram en route to a central station where the tots could connect with another train to the airport. There, a security guard got suspicious and contacted police, who alerted the lovebirds' parents.

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Jon and Kate Plus 8 Say Aloha and I Do in Hawaii

LilSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:00:10 -0700

It seems that the family that tapes together, stays together. Our favorite tensome, the Gosselins, were spotted in Maui filming another episode of their TLC show, Jon and Kate Plus 8. While on the island, Jon and Kate renewed their wedding vows outfitted in white and wearing leis.

Though the couple probably never imagined how their life would turn out at their first nuptials, the eight attendants - Cara, Madelyn, Alexis, Hannah, Leah, Aaden, Collin and Joel - put traditional bridesmaids and groomsmen to shame this time around. When you think about the love that leads to marriage, you can only imagine the commitment that comes with making it down the aisle again.
Splash News Online

Family Ties: One Reason Why I Am the Luckiest Mom Alive

babysugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:00:30 -0700

For some insane reason, my husband and I decided to drag our daughter with us to a wedding. Still under two, she sat as a lap–child for the long journey from San Francisco to small-town New Hampshire.

I brought DVDs, food, diapers, books, and small toys to entertain her. After we packed the car for the airport, I snatched my sleepy head from her crib and put her in the carseat. Awake two hours earlier than usual, she was surprisingly chipper and excited to go to the airport. An angelic babe, she did not fuss once between San Francisco and Hartford, CT, even with a stop in Chicago along the way. Sure she would lose it in the car, she took in the scenery and sang songs on our 90–minute journey to New Hampshire.

To see what happened on the return trip, read more.

Feeling blessed for the easy trip out East, I was certain the return trip would be a killer, especially with one extra stop. Once again, my girl proved to be a trooper. Another car ride and a nine–hour flight that involved stops in Chicago and Los Angeles and finally home, my rock-star baby amazed me with without even a shriek during the travels.

Even as a pregnant, nondrinking wedding guest, I enjoyed it more than most nuptials I have attended. My husband and I (bump included) danced the night away with friends and family to exceptional tunes. Best of all, we loved having our sweet pea along for the ride.

Mommy Dearest: Bringing Baby to Wedding

LilSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:00:52 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

A friend is getting married and I'm not sure if my kids are invited to the wedding.

My husband and I already responded that we will be attending, but are having a hard time finding a sitter. Is it okay to ask the bride if we can bring them?

- Wondering About Weddings

To read the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Wondering About Weddings,

There is one way to tell if your children are welcome. If the invitation was addressed to "The Smith Family," "Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Family" or "John, Mary, Michael and Ann Smith" then your kids are on the guest list. If the envelope was addressed to just "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" or "John and Mary Smith" they are not.

Additionally, some varieties of response cards have a space to indicate "number invited" and then you fill in "number attending." Obviously, the number of the latter should never exceed the initial one.

In an extreme circumstance, you might feel comfortable asking the bride or groom if you can bring your wee one to their wedding, but more often than not it's better to just decline the invitation and include an honest explanation.

Aside from the fact that weddings are expensive, it's the couple's special day and they don't need to be put on the spot.

- Mommy Dearest

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

For more wedding planning fun, check out IDoSugar.

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Mommy Dearest: Black Tie Required Wedding, Even For Tots?

LilSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

Our family was invited to a black tie wedding, which we will attend in a few weeks. Understanding that it's a formal affair, I purchased a long gown to wear and my husband is renting a tuxedo. But, I think the bride's request for even our 2-year-old son to wear a tux is ridiculous despite my offering for him to wear comfortable chinos and a button-up shirt. He's not even in the wedding. Should I tell her that my child isn't going to abide by the required pricey attire in advance or just dress him the way I see fit?

- Black Tie for Tots Is Beyond Reason

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Black Tie For Tots Is Beyond Reason,

While you raise valid points about your son's comfort level and the expense of renting or buying a two-year-old a tux, it's the bride's day and as a guest it's best to abide by her rules. Since you already addressed the issue and she wasn't accepting of your offer to dress your child in slacks and an oxford shirt, your only real option is to outfit him in a tux or not bring him to the festivities. You may also want to consider how kid-friendly this formal affair will actually be or if your youngster would be happier staying home with a sitter.

- Mommy Dearest

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

The Gifted Child: Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

babysugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0700

At the wedding I attended last weekend, the flower girls were rewarded for their hard work and petal spreading duties.

While adults sat around and sipped champagne, the lil girls delighted in the new found goodies that the bride had placed at their table.

To see what the wedded couple gifted them, read more.

Perfect for wee members of the wedding party, the bride and groom gifted monogrammed totes of goodies. The parents entertained the kids most of the night, but the coloring books, crayons, paddle balls, flip flops and disposable cameras put smiles on their lil faces during the dinner hours. Even the youngest gal ran around snapping pictures of the festivities.

To see all of our wedding season coverage, check out IDoSugar.

Crayola Markers ($3)	Paddle Ball Game ($3)
Scribbles by Taro Gomi ($14)	L.L.Bean Maine Flip Flop ($17)