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Giveaways: One Chic Mama is giving away a mother/daughter set of Cambodian jingle bell anklets from Baby Emi Jewelry. Classy Mommy is offering up a $100 Toys R Us gift card + 5 Veggie Tales DVDs. MomFinds is giving away a giant gift basket from Neat Solutions.
New mamahood sometimes seems akin to stepping into an amnesic vortex: you feel as if you’re spinning in a whirlwind of chaos and activity, but at the end of the day, you can’t recall how you spent your hours. Or rather, perhaps it’s just that the “little things” you’ve done all day don’t seem as noteworthy as your frantic working girl episodes. Never mind that many of those little things result in keeping another human being alive.
Today, Jen reports on a recent eye opening green event in Boston:
"I recently had the pleasure of attending a vegan luncheon and book signing at the Four Seasons's Aujourdui in honor of Deirdre Imus's new book, Growing Up Green. Over a spectacular meal prepared by executive chef Brooke Vosika, Imus spoke passionately about environmental toxins and their effect on our children's health. I must confess that both the food and Imus's message surprised me. The vegan food was surprisingly elegant and Imus's message was surprisingly scary. Although in retrospect, given our host chef and the state of our environment, I should not have been so surprised.
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Weekend reading. Coochicoos features the way a family of four makes it work in a 640 square foot NYC apartment. One Chic Mama recommends The Find Green search engine to lead you to all things green. Moms’ Buzz wants to know what you do to stay green at home. And Kris at Clever Parents shares her journey to Disney with baby Charles in tow.
As supportive and involved a dad as Jon always has been, the one thing he just wasn’t into was reading those textbook-like, geared-towards-mom baby manuals. Luckily, for new dads, there’s The Baby Bonding Book for Dads, a sweet little gift book that – in a gentle, friendly dad voice - offers simple, straightforward ideas for how dad can bond with baby at home and on the go. Interspersed throughout the book are artful photos. Yes, there are a couple of buff, bare-chested daddy shots, but otherwise the photos are – like the text – representative of what many of us feel joy seeing at home; regular dads enjoying time with their babes.
Want to be one of 5 winners to receive a copy of The Baby Bonding Book for Dads? Here’s how:
Like it or not, talking the talk is necessary to keep your kids safe in our increasingly complex world. Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody recommends Dr. Sharon Maxwell’s The Talk: What Your Kids Need to Hear from You About Sex as a helpful new resource to ready you for these conversations. Read on for Amy's review, as well as to learn how to be one of five winners to receive a copy of The Talk!
While we all likely can recite Goodnight Moon and other kiddie stories by heart, when was the last time you picked up a book for yourself? A pair of bunnies that visited our yard this past weekend reminded me that it’s time for my yearly read of Watership Down. Who would have guessed that a tale about a troop of rabbits on a mission for higher ground could be so engaging? This classic truly has something for everyone – adventure, spirituality, group dynamics, good guys and bad guys, and romance (of the G-rated rabbit variety). I am moved every single time I reread this book and have never looked at rabbits the same way since.
I’m thrilled to welcome new guest contributor Jen. A Boston mama, prosecutor turned writer, and avid reader, today Jen reviews Meg Wolitzer’s new parenting novel The Ten-Year Nap. Read on for Jen's review, as well as to learn how to be one of five winners to receive a copy of The Ten-Year Nap!
Today, Tracy shares a book recommendation:
“As I progress in my pregnancy with our third child, I find myself wishing for a connection with mamas in the same situation. I’m finding that the further away from the “first baby” club I move, the more difficult it is to find those all important connections with moms who are dealing with the same anxieties, concerns, and joys that I am. Expecting the first time is nothing like doing it the second and subsequent time(s).
Here’s a good way to work off Sunday morning pancakes with the kids. On March 9 (11 am) our friends at the Regent Theatre are hosting a special show featuring award winning musician Justin Roberts. A former indie rocker turned Montessori preschool teacher turned indie family rocker, Roberts’ engaging style no doubt will get kids and adults out of their seats and dancing off their pancakes.
Want to win 4 tickets to see Justin Roberts, or be 1 of 3 winners to receive a copy of his latest CD? Here’s how:
Few things get Laurel’s attention like stories, brainteasers, and crafts, so it’s no wonder that she’s totally been digging Highlights High Five. From the folks who produce the well known Highlights magazine, High Five is geared towards the 2-6 year-old crowd, and I’m reviewing the publication today in conjunction with The Parent Bloggers Network. Read on for the review, as well as to learn how to win a subscription to Highlights or High Five via The Parent Bloggers Network.
I generally consider myself a pretty tuned in, communicative parent, but there’s no denying the moments when stress, fatigue, or just being human result in a short fuse and loss for words. And for those moments there's Betsy Brown Braun’s Just Tell Me What to Say. Replete with tips and scripts to help parents learn the basics of effective communication and handle everything from discipline to tantrums to praise to sibling fights to food battles to tough topics (e.g., death, divorce), I've been particularly impressed by how quickly some of Braun’s bullet points have helped me realize the impact of seemingly innocuous behavior (e.g., spelling out words in front of Laurel, identifying her as shy when she hides from strangers), and then how much better it feels to stop the behavior and opt for a different script.
Want to be one of 5 winners to receive a copy of Just Tell Me What to Say? Here’s how:
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Win it: Modern Mom is on location at Disney to kick off their Dream Vacation Giveaway. One Chic Mama is giving away a Gold Heart Envelope from Dante Beatrix packed full of beauty products. MomFinds is offering up a chance to win a Haute Kiley bag from HMR by Christine Price. Classy Mommy is giving away 4 board books from the Good Night Our World series.
Given our love for Zen Shorts, we ordered Zen Ties as soon as it was released and the book does not disappoint. Jon Muth crafts another gorgeous book, in which sage panda Stillwater teaches his children friends and nephew Koo about empathy and the unexpected ties that people have to one another. I especially love that this book weaves in multigenerational connections; the elderly Miss Whitaker is Laurel’s favorite character. Now I’m just trying to mentally will Muth into creating a poster version of the fabulous kung fu panda stances from the inside cover.
Ironically, the reason Laurel broke from her homebody stance yesterday (see Buggy Bundle post) was because visiting the local library was the fastest way for us to get our hands on more Toot & Puddle books. Beautifully and cleverly illustrated by Massachusetts artist Holly Hobbie, Toot & Puddle is one of our favorites, detailing the loving friendship and parallel adventures of world traveling Toot and homebody Puddle.
More Toot & Puddle titles are shown on the back cover and Laurel wants to read every single one of them.
Laurel has long been a breastfeeding advocate (she avidly nursed for a year, and loves asking questions about nursing or seeing other babies feed), so it’s no wonder she's a fan of Michael Elsohn Ross’s new Mama's Milk. With gentle rhyming text and cozy illustrations, Mama’s Milk realistically and tastefully depicts how humans and animals nurse their offspring. Each picture labels mom and baby animal pairs (e.g., platypus & puggles) and the book concludes with additional nursing facts to accompany each page. A great pick for moms looking for a way to explain breastfeeding to an older sibling, we also dig that this book is offered in a Spanish/English edition.
Want to be one of five winners to receive a copy of Mama’s Milk? Here’s how:
Today, Kate takes us on a walk down memory lane…with Judy Blume.
For girls of a certain generation - mine, and those directly before and after - the experience of reading the novels of Judy Blume was a double-layered rite of adolescent passage: the books themselves were sacred texts, and the universal stories they told - of being teased, of being not the prettiest, of being kissed, of having your parents split up, of loving and being loved, and of losing (love, virginity, friendship, your lunch in public) - were the stories we were all living, vividly and in real time and with an empathy that our parents couldn't come close to.
If you’ve ever doubted the power of books, and the lessons that kids can learn from them, it’s time to start believing. In August we reviewed the Tessy & Tab Reading Club. I was not part of the review team but we do have some samples of the readers kicking around, and periodically Laurel likes to read through all of them; they’re simple stories about life experiences such as planting a garden, visiting the doctor, riding an airplane, and making Mom breakfast in bed.
Today, one of my mama product testers shares a review of JumpStart World. Three of her kids (twin kindergarten daughters and a particularly astute almost 3-year-old son) tested out this educational video programming. Read on for the full review, and also to learn how to be one of 30 winners to receive a copy of JumpStart World!
Weekend Reading: Car & Caboodle features an LA dad who tells of his road to becoming a minivan owner. Healthy Bump chats with former nanny Deborah Smith, who offers advice on how to search for a nanny. Moms’ Buzz offers 10 tips to help parents encourage children to eat right and maintain a healthy weight. Clever Parents highlights an easy, cheesy cauliflower pasta recipe from Rachael Ray. Coochicoos features the ultimate Batman home theater set up.
Reader Erica from Northampton wrote in previously about a resource for parents who are set on raising one child. Today, she shares thoughts on Deborah Siegel and Daphne Uviller’s Only Child: Writers on the Singular Joys and Solitary Sorrows of Growing Up Solo:
When we finally got around to transitioning Laurel out of her crib a few months ago, it was a joyful (for her) and emotional (for me) moment. Despite being decidedly short on leisure time, I decided to commemorate the occasion with a quilt, and found excellent inspiration in Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. The project took longer than the estimated 8-12 hours - largely because I adjusted the pattern, added an extra detail, and obsessed over getting the measurements right - but the results were marvelous. Click here for details and project photos. I wish the book offered a few more diagrams (although it probably doesn't hurt to exercise the spatial orientation neurons a bit...), but I otherwise highly recommend this book for beginning or experienced crafters.
Or 2, 3, and 4 as was the case for Heather:
"Adjusting to a new baby at home is often difficult for older siblings, especially children under 5 who are used to having lots of attention from mom and dad. One of my greatest worries when I was pregnant for the second time was how our 3½-year-old daughter would feel with the arrival of 3 new siblings at the same time. The world she knew would be forever changed. Here are some tips that we found eased the transition and reinforced our love:
Today, Tracy reports on a CD created for kids with food allergies:
“I recently heard about Kyle Dine’s music, and just had to share this CD. You Must Be Nuts! is filled with great tunes for kids living with food allergies. Kyle’s music is inspired by his own lifelong management of food allergies, and recounts some of his experiences as a kid who went to birthday parties wearing a big red sticker that said, “Please don’t feed me.” While awareness about the number and severity of food allergies has grown in recent years, there’s still room for more resources to help kids manage the inevitable stigma and worry that comes from being a kid with food allergies.
Today, Heather shares a favorite book that she purchased for all of the 3-5 year olds on her holiday list:
“My 4-year-old has become quite the bookworm and can often be found snuggled on the couch ‘reading’ (translation: flipping through the illustrated pages weaving her own version of the story that she has heard countless times before). Given her love of books, I’m always on the hunt for age appropriate books that are both fun to read and meaningful; books where I don't feel the need to change certain words or phrases as we go.
Whether you're disappointed that folk singer/songwriter Ellis Paul’s weekend shows at Club Passim are nearly sold out, or are intrigued to hear this seasoned musician’s new, already-buzzed-about first family album The Dragonfly Races, you’re in luck. Thanks to Club Passim and Ellis Paul, we're giving away two tickets to Paul’s Saturday family show (12/29 at 3pm), and 5 copies of The Dragonfly Races. Here’s how to enter to win:
Whether you’ve just started reading labels, or already are committed to organic produce and natural foods, you’ll likely find inspiration to fuel your family well in Food to Live By
Want to be one of 5 winners to receive Food to Live By? Here’s how:
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Books, books, and more books: Healthy Bump has raves for Easy Labor. One Chic Mama finds inspiration in I Love You More and Joy Is the Greatest Gift. And Clever Parents offers a fun idea to get those Christmas classics read and slow down with your family.
We typically cover a lot of literary ground with our resident bookworm, but we’ve spent even more time reading since receiving Abbeville’s classic fairy tales. Available in three themes (Animal Fables, Family Favorites, Princess Tales), each set includes four prettily illustrated hardcover books in a sturdy slipcase. I must admit that I initially was a little worried about how Laurel would handle all the chopping, gobbling, and poison common in such tales, but after hearing each story, she calmly decided which ones were a little too scary for now (e.g., Little Red Riding Hood: “I will read this next year when I’m 4”), and otherwise wants me to read each book in succession and over again. Each tale also concludes with an activity page where kids can identify the order of the mixed up mini storyboards, or where certain objects appeared in the book.
Want to be one of 6 WINNERS to receive a fairy tale book set? Here’s how:
And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:
Moms’ Buzz features tips for a stress-free holiday season. Modern Mom presents its holiday gift guide. Healthy Bump has raves for the Cuddoozle Nursing Pillow. Clever Parents reviews the First Adventures of Incredible You. Classy Mommy video reviews a glam holiday tee. And up for the winning are a Lillébaby EuroTote from MomFinds and a Kaboost seat from One Chic Mama.
To prep for my comprehensive exams in grad school, I spent 7 weeks (50-60 hours a week) absorbing everything I could about human perception. To introduce your kids to the power of the senses in a decidedly more fun manner, check out Braincandy's series of DVDs and music CDs on sight
If you’re like me, a lover of beauty products who has found frustration in highly touted, highly priced beauty goods that do squat, then you’ll likely find relief in Nadine Haobsh’s Beauty Confidential
Okay, I’ll admit it. When Laurel was a baby, all those hours of nursing while perusing celeb fashion mags inspired my obsession with handbags. Luxe and low budget bag features are forthcoming; meanwhile, for lovers of fashion, history, and fabulous photo spreads, there’s The Handbag: An Illustrated History
Want to win a copy of The Handbag? Email us by midnight EST tonight (with “Handbag” in the subject) and name one of author Caroline Cox’s two previous books. US entrants welcome.
Today our Parent Bloggers Network pals are running a blog blast in conjunction with Harper Collins’s release of Nadine Haobsh’s Beauty Confidential
Here’s a great way to burn off the Halloween candy buzz. This Sunday (11/4), rock out with Gwendolyn + The Good Time Gang to classics and new cuts from Get Up & Dance!
Want to win a copy of Get Up & Dance! ? Email us by midnight EST tonight (with “Gwen” in the subject) and name a recent stop on the current tour. We'll draw 10 winners (worldwide entrants welcome)!
I’ve found black to be a crucial color in the mama wardrobe, what with its slimming, toddler food blob camouflaging properties. And if you need inspiration beyond your basic black sheath, The Black Dress
Want to win a copy of The Black Dress? Email us by midnight EST tonight (with “Black Dress” in the subject) and name author Valerie Steele’s day job. US entrants welcome.
Having grown up with 4 sisters and 2 brothers, it’s long been clear that girls are just as well suited to adventure as boys. And lest moms of girls were feeling left out with the publication of The Dangerous Book for Boys, there’s now the equally fabulous Daring Book for Girls
Want to win a copy of The Daring Book for Girls? Email us by midnight EST tonight (with “Daring” in the subject) and name co-author Andrea Buchanan's profession prior to becoming a writer. US entrants welcome.
Whether you have a passion for vintage clothing, want to learn more about design trends, or just love fabric, color, and pretty pictures, you will adore Vintage Fashion
Want to win a copy of Vintage Fashion? Email us by midnight EST tonight (with “Vintage Fashion” in the subject) and tell us where author Emma Baxter Wright studied fashion. US entrants welcome.
I’ve never seen Laurel so surprised as when I first read aloud her personalized copy of The First Adventures of Incredible You by Custom Made for Kids. Just hop online and input the names of your child’s favorite people and places; the details are then woven into the book's rhyming verse and richly colored illustrations. Even after countless reads, Laurel loves hearing the details of her fabulous first adventures with her family and friends.
Want to win a customized copy of The First Adventures of Incredible You? Email us by midnight EST tonight (with “Incredible” in the subject) and name the book’s illustrator. US & Canada entrants welcome.
Given the diverse make up of our family (not to mention the world), we’re especially committed to providing Laurel with books and conversations about how families can be formed in many ways, whether the mix includes different skin colors, two mommies (or daddies), or one parent. To celebrate t