1. Mom Denise Schipani says being a mean mom makes for good kids. We’re just going to assume that Denise doesn’t go to Vogue writer lengths. We get it in terms of making them do stuff that’s good for them and presumably there’s some teaching of delayed gratification. Why she sounds loving and caring and all, what’s with this mean mom book deal trend? Do we blame this on Amy Tiger Mom Chua?
We’ve seen these “instructional diagrams” from How to be a Dad circulating around our social media channels for a little while now, and we took some comfort in the fact that everyone’s kids subject them to these bizarre sleep positions. Whether you have a family bed, or the kids just crawl in when they’ve had a bad dream, it seems we’ve all had to adjust our idea of a good night’s sleep.
Which one is the most common in your bed? We’re going to have to go with H is for Hell.
2. You should use Twilight to teach your kids about sex and love and babies and relationships and all that. Wait. Sorry, that’s not right. Be careful what your kids are learning from Bella, Edward, Jacob and co. Like, if a vampire baby is trying to bite its way out of your uterus, threatening to kill you in the process, maybe sit down with Planned Parenthood?
3. Ulgh T-shirt makers! What is wrong with you?? More slogan controversy, this time on onesies, with Gymboree having a gendered onesies that say either, “Pretty like Mommy” or “Smart like Daddy.” We get it, it doesn’t seem like a big deal compared to the anti-math shirts, but can we not raise baby girls to think of themselves as princesses, cupcakes and sweet objects of consumption while baby boys are thought of as smart, capable and adventurous? Read more...
As my delivery date rapidly approaches we realize that it is time for the final sprint to prepare for our two bundles of joy. I am trying to read up on the basics of how to feed, diaper, wash and care for a tiny baby. Figure out where to buy diapers cheap, order some books about twins and of course there is the dilemma of where they should sleep so we have constant access for around-the-clock feedings and diaper changes. Think newborn x 2!
Of course with twins everything is just a little more complicated. If they sleep in bed with us there would be a serious lack of room, and hubby would be on the couch for about a year. That doesn’t seem like the best solution. We talked a lot and thought a lot about various options. We bought a wooden bassinet off Craigslist, because it seemed more solid than plastic and considered getting another or placing them both in it. Read more...
2. New study results: Co-sleeping does not harm your toddler, but it doesn’t provide any specific benefits either. So… continue doing what you’re doing, whatever your preference.
3. Are super-safe playgrounds actually causing some harm? Old school playgrounds with taller climbing structures and no soft surfaces to land on teach kids to be careful, whereas with today’s new, safer playgrounds, the kids may be overestimating the power of the rubber or wood chip-covered ground to prevent injuries.
1. New mom Pink wrote an excellent rant on her site directed towards the paps who are stalking her family. They’ve got a new family photo shoot in People because she and husband Carey Hart want to be able to control the media’s access to their daughter. “We are so appreciative that people are interested in seeing our daughter. We WANT to share our joys with you, but as parents (and new parents), we should be able to govern these decisions, shouldn’t we?” Yes.
2. So we all know a bunch of Emma and Sarahs and Julias, right? All those Victorian names that started really coming back into fashion a couple decades ago are now on their way down again. Also on the list of names trending down are Grace and Ella, but we thought those names only super took off in the last five-10 years? The New York Times article suggests perhaps the lack of Jane Austen movies in theatres these days has something to do with it. (So bring on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies! The world needs more Elizabeths!) Read more...
