February « 2007 « The Parent Bloggers Network

Good Kids Bad Habits: Here’s What They’re Saying So Far

Wednesday, February 28th, 2007

The twenty-first century has brought all sorts of wonderful advances to aid in our efforts to keep ourselves healthy and to heal us when we are sick. While such new developments are invaluable, there’s still no substitute for getting back to basics - and that’s exactly what Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg does in her book Good Kids Bad Habits: “The advice here is not gimmicky or instant-fix. It’s solid, straightforward, and sane.”

So far, five of our parent bloggers have read and reviewed Good Kids Bad Habits, and their consensus is that it’s “a good common sense guide for understanding how what kids learn today sticks with them for the long run.” Good Kids Bad Habits “covers it all — from stressing the benefits of healthy eating, good hygiene and lots of exercise to the virtues of establishing effective homework habits and safety-proofing your home.” It’s not the type of book you read once and put away; instead “it’s a reference book…something you could pull off the shelf to use as a reminder and a benchmark throughout your child’s life.” But parents shouldn’t feel overwhelmed or guilty as they read and re-read, because “the focus is on tackling issues one small goal at a time…Even if your child is already a teenager, it’s never too late to help them make small changes to their eating, exercise, learning, hygiene, and self-esteem that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”

Even though Good Kids Bad Habits contains guidance that “you already know—you just need a kick in the butt to remind you to work on it,” there were still a few revelations. One reviewer commented that she was “surprised to learn that one of the areas where we need the most work is safety.” Another reviewer was pleased to see that the book covers “how to help children socialize and how to choose healthy friendships.” Dr. Trachtenberg’s common-sense approach to eating - “try to meet weekly nutrition goals, and not stress over the importance of having every meal be a balanced meal” - is especially palatable to parents of toddlers. But while we know what we should be doing - for ourselves and our kids - that doesn’t mean we’re doing it as consistently as we should. As another reviewer put it: “I just turned 36 over the weekend, and this is stuff I’m still learning.”

Check out the rest of our blogger reviews over the rest of this week, followed by our round-up review on March 9.

Tuesday 2/27 - PunditMom

Wednesday 2/28 - 24/7

Thursday 3/1 - Surrender Dorothy

Friday 3/2 - Mommy Needs Coffee

Monday 3/5 - Cape Buffalo

If you’d like to purchase your own copy, click here!

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Posted in Baby, Books, Elementary School, Kids, Pre-school, Pre-teen, Toddler | No Comments »

Babyproofing Your Marriage Authors Tonight on Blog Talk Radio

Tuesday, February 27th, 2007

Join Stacie Cockrell and Cathy O’Neill two of the authors of the acclaimed book Babyproofing Your Marriage on the Motherhood Uncensored Blog Talk Radio show tonight. Ask your questions and share your comments.

9-10pm EST

(646) 915-8634

Feel free to leave comments or questions here or via email (parentbloggers@gmail.com)

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Posted in Radio Show | 1 Comment »

School Zone Discovery Cards Campaign Launch

Monday, February 26th, 2007

After seeing the movie “Parenthood” - where Rick Moranis quizzes his young daughter with flash cards - I vowed to adopt a relaxed attitude toward pre-school academics. There’s plenty of time to worry about whether my children will qualify for the gifted and talented program.

For now, I’d like to help them have as much fun learning as possible. Babies and toddlers learn by observing the world around them and making basic connections that we adults take for granted. Flash cards with chemical symbols for all the elements in the periodic table won’t hold their attention. But bright colors, interesting textures, and new sounds? That’s more like it.

The School Zone Discovery Cards - geared toward babies older than six months - are intended to help expand their worlds in ways that little ones can enjoy and appreciate. Our reviewers have received two sets of cards - Fuzzy Animal Friends and Peek-a-Boo Bear - and they’ll report back on how much their children enjoyed the cards.

Thursday, 3/1 - Quarter Rest

Friday, 3/2 - Mummy Chronicles

Monday, 3/5 - Growing a Life

Tuesday, 3/6 - Cheese Party

Wednesday, 3/7 - Hello Pushkin

Thursday, 3/8 - Seabird Chronicles

Friday, 3/9 - Formula Fed and Flexible Parenting

Monday, 3/12 - Domestic Diva

Tuesday, 3/13 - Motherhood Uncensored

Wednesday, 3/14 - I Obsess

We’ll also have a mid-campaign “here’s what they’re saying so far” post on Thursday, March 8. Check back to see whether these cards go over better than the flash cards in “Parenthood”!

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Posted in Baby, Games, Kids, Toddler | No Comments »

Meet the Parent Bloggers: Joy from Gingajoy

Saturday, February 24th, 2007

Gingajoy authored by Joy

1) When did you start blogging and why? I started blogging in February 2006. I was seriously stalking Sweetney and some other big-blogs and had turned into some sort of comment junkie. You know that kid in class who has her hand wagging in the air ” oooooh ooh oooh! I know! I know!—that was me with comments. And when my commenting started to get, uh, out of hand, I thought “hmm. Maybe I should shut up and get a blog already.” So I did, and at first it was very odd for me. I like to be a performer and spin a yarn, but I need feedback. I need to know my audience so I can pander to them shamelessly. When I look at my first posts I realize I had no clue who I was talking to, and it kind of shows. I think my first commenter was called “Sherriff” and he had a (now defunct) blog which rather startled me. But with commenting comes community, I found. I started to stalk more people, and then they reciprocated. It was a massive lovefest, I tell you. I discovered a lot about myself as a writer (and continue to do so).

In real life I am an academic, an English Ph.D. no less (I know. I can’t believe it either). I can honestly say that even after years of research and writing, it was when I started to blog I found a part of my “writerly” self I did not know existed. And even though it’s not an academic blog, I’ve found that I’ve actually engaged in more academic/intellectual writing and debate through blogging than in any other medium. The nice thing is you can post on feminism one day and how you’re constipated the next. Love it.

2) What’s behind the name “GINGA JOY?” Here’s the thing. The “G’s are hard. As in “Get” or “Genghis Khan” (so it’s not Jinja-Joy). Why does this matter? Well, it really doesn’t; say it how you like, but there is a story. In England, people with red hair (well, orange hair) are known as “Gingahs” (with the two hard Gs). I know. It’s hilarious. So that was my nickname when I was a young’un in Engerland. “Gingah’” That and “Red Pig.” I did not want to call my blog Red Pig.

3) What do you miss most about England? My family. Now I have two boys of my own, I hanker to be closer to them all (and, ehem, not just for free babysitting). This was something I could not even fathom when I got off that plane years ago at the age of 21, and I would not change anything. But still, we often entertain fantasies about moving back there.

Less obvious answer: The weather. I am not kidding. I live in Michigan. I pine for temperate weather and a winter that does not make my face crack off. And it’s always green there—even in the middle of winter. I miss that. I also miss the food. (Shuddup!)

4) Sexier — American or British accent and why? Ooh. You’re trying to trap me aren’t you? Well my husband is American, so obviously I would say American. Preferably something from the Gary Indiana region (it’s the hacking iron-lung cough that does it for me) Actually, a lot of British accents can sound a bit poncey to me. To be honest, if what’s coming out of your mouth is funny and/or intelligent, I’m going to get all hot under the collar regardless of accent.

5) Favorite Posts: In Another Life I was a Pack Mule, A Tale of Two Mommy Sites, & My Highly Subjective Diatribe Against Dr. Sears.

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Posted in Blogger Profiles | No Comments »

CleanWell Natural Hand Sanitizer Campaign Launch

Friday, February 23rd, 2007

Puddy: “Oh, germ-o-phobe. I know what that’s about.”
Elaine: “Huh?”
Puddy, showing her his necklace: “I’m a recovering germ-o-phobe. Ten years.”
Elaine: “What is this symbol?”
Puddy: “It’s a germ.”

From Seinfeld, Season 9, Episode 9, “The Apology”

Maybe we’re not all card-carrying germ-o-phobes like David Puddy, but I’d bet that most parents want to minimize unnecessary exposure. I remember visiting amusement parks as a child, where my parents would routinely hiss: “Don’t touch that! Don’t touch that either! Do NOT put your hands in your mouth!”

We didn’t have hand sanitizer. We washed our hands when we had the opportunity and used wet wipes in the interim.

Now hand sanitizer is everywhere - public restrooms, supplied by management at workplaces, in our handbags and diaper bags - but there’s a new worry: Development of highly-resistant bacteria that are immune to the antiseptic chemicals used in hand sanitizer.

CleanWell is a company dedicated to finding a better way to clean. Ingenium(TM) is the active ingredient in their hand sanitizer, and it’s created from essential plant oils - most notably thyme, which is a natural antiseptic. CleanWell’s Chief Technology Officer is Dr. Larry Weiss - a Stanford Medical School graduate and a former NIH (National Institutes of Health) fellow. On the CleanWell web site, he explains in detail the benefits of Ingenium(TM) over traditional alcohol-based sanitizers. He also has a blog - A Better Way To Clean - which functions as a consumer forum.

For the next two weeks, the Parent Bloggers Network will put CleanWell hand sanitizer to the test - or rather, our children will. We’ve got a family heading to Disney World, another family that’s so high and dry they refuse to use alcohol-based sanitizer in the winter, and a couple others who have newborns and pre-schoolers in close contact. Check in daily to see how well CleanWell is working for our parents!

Monday, 2/26 - Builder Mama
Tuesday, 2/27 - Ruth Dynamite
Wednesday, 2/28 - Motherhood Uncensored
Thursday, 3/1 - Mother May I
Friday, 3/2 - Bananas and Toddlers
Monday, 3/5 - Three Kid Circus
Tuesday, 3/6 - Karianna
Wednesday, 3/7 - Do as I say…and no one gets hurt
Thursday, 3/8 - Mommy’s Must Haves
Friday, 3/9 - GingaJoy

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Posted in Baby, Bath & Beauty, Elementary School, Green/Organic, Kids, Outdoor, Pre-school, Pre-teen, Toddler, Travel | 1 Comment »

Burpcatcher Campaign Launch

Monday, February 19th, 2007

We’ve all been there — you hear the burp, you reach for a cloth (or if you’re really prepared, you’ve already got one on your shoulder), and out it comes. Except it usually hits the cloth and dribbles down hitting everything and anything in its path.

But instead of just sitting around with the it on her shoulder, journalist and mom Margaret Pressler did something about it. The simple “hit-yourself-in-the-head-because-you-didn’t-think-of-it” design of the Burpcatcher involves a soft diaper cloth with a pocket. So, when the it is about to hit, there’s actually something there to catch it. Your shirt, pants, and sanity are saved. A small price when it comes to life with a newborn.

Over the next two weeks, our fabulous bloggers with little spitty babies of their own will be putting the Burpcatcher to the test. Make sure to check out the reviews, share your thoughts, and enter to win one of your own. You’ll have to read to find out who’s giving them away!

2/22: Toddler Planet

2/23: Sarah’s Dandelions

2/26: Halloween Lover

2/27: Formula Fed & Flexible Parenting

2/28: Cootie Chronicles

3/1: Snarky Momma

3/2: Creature Bug

3/5: Motherhood Uncensored

3/6: Mom Thoughts

3/7: Fishy Girl

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Posted in Baby | 3 Comments »

Good Kids Bad Habits Campaign Launch

Friday, February 16th, 2007

Are your kids developing habits now that could ruin their health later?

That’s the question posed by author and pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg, and unfortunately, this question is far from alarmist. Children are now being diagnosed with what used to be adult diseases like atherosclerosis (commonly known as hardening of the arteries), hypertension (high blood pressure), and diabetes. In most cases, unhealthy habits are the root cause - not genetics or environmental factors. Socioeconomics puts some children at greater risk than others, but unhealthy habits are fast becoming a national problem regardless of how educated you are and how comfortably you live.

In Good Kids Bad Habits, Dr. Trachtenberg addresses the whole package - from physical health to emotional health to making healthy living a priority for the entire family, from babies to teens. Each chapter is geared toward gradually changing existing bad habits and establishing new good habits in areas such as healthy eating, physical activity, personal hygiene, studying and learning, self-esteem, and preventative measures. Icons - rattle, bear, and backpack - are used to identify which individual sections are applicable to a particular age group.

Over the next two weeks, ten of our reviewers with kids of varying ages will report on what they thought about Good Kids Bad HabitsIn the meantime, to assess the habits of your own children, take the RealAge Healthy Kids Test at the Good Kids Bad Habits website.

Good Kids Bad Habits review schedule:

Monday 2/19 - http://mayberrymom.blogspot.com
Tuesday 2/20 - http://mamamaven.blogspot.com
Wednesday 2/21 - http://mylifeasacliche.blogspot.com
Thursday 2/22 - http://capebuffalo.blogspot.com
Friday 2/23 - http://amommystoryreviews.blogspot.com
Monday 2/26 - http://roomconqueso.blogspot.com
Tuesday 2/27 - http://punditmom1reviews.blogspot.com
Wednesday 2/28 - http://24hoursaday7daysaweek.blogspot.com
Thursday 3/1 - http://www.surrenderdorothyblog.com
Friday 3/2 - http://www.mommyneedscoffee.com

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Posted in Baby, Books, Elementary School, Pre-school, Pre-teen, Toddler | No Comments »

athleticBaby Round-Up: Scoring a Goal With Parents and Kids

Wednesday, February 14th, 2007

In many households, TV-watching is a necessary evil. There are rainy days, snowy days, and days when Mommy just may check herself into the nearest mental health facility if she doesn’t get some peace and quiet. We strive to fill all of our days with intellectually and physically stimulating activities, and yet there are times when we end up in front of the boob tube again in spite of ourselves.

And while we can read and play dress-up and do puzzles in inclement weather, it’s not all that easy to get out and about when there’s two feet of snow on the ground and a wind chill of twelve below. We have to remind ourselves daily that winter won’t last forever and that we’ll be playing outside again in a few short months.

athleticBaby’s series of sports-themed DVDs were created by Karen Foster, a mother who shares the concerns of many parents, including our Parent Bloggers Network reviewers: How to encourage a physically active, healthy lifestyle - right from the very beginning? Their latest release - athleticBaby Soccer! - was enthusiastically reviewed by ten of our bloggers and their toddlers and pre-schoolers.

We had one reviewer who, although her daughter doesn’t watch TV, admitted there were days when “I’ve wished I had something worthwhile she could watch.” Another reviewer noted “the irony of using a passive medium to encourage kids to be active.” But across the board, our reviewers unanimously agreed that “athleticBaby’s mission was to get kids to appreciate sports and get active and they accomplished that with this DVD.”

Many reviewers were surprised by the content: “This is not a “how to play soccer” movie. Rather, it is a sensory experience” “filled with energetic, fun music and…various scenes of children enthusiastically playing soccer.” Parents and kids alike loved the “catchy, kid-friendly music that I find myself humming while making dinner and doing the dishes.” Several reviewers commented that “kids of all ages from toddlers to teenagers were featured – and it was an excellent mix of boys and girls throughout the video.” All the children paid attention, watching “many times and in a variety of ways including: while sitting quietly, while kicking foam balls around the house and most recently…while dancing like a crazy bunch of banshees with their elated Mommy!” And everybody’s favorite part by far was “where a small dog in a uniform plays with a bunch of soccer balls and kids.”

One particularly analytical little guy watched and “asked why they didn’t explain soccer to him,” along with “a million questions about every scene that were never explained.” Our resourceful reviewer then screened the DVD for a little boy whom she cares for during the day, and his exuberant reaction was “what I had expected from the video!” In fact, he enjoyed it so much that his mother plans “to buy every video they make.”

Many parents reported that the “lessons on colors and numbers…felt forced and weren’t necessary,” and one kindergartener summed it up this way: “It’s too much like Circle Time, and I don’t like Circle Time.” And while one reviewer agreed that young babies would “enjoy all the closeups of kids’ faces,” a few other parents weren’t convinced that their children “would have benefited from it much as an infant” (the DVD is geared to children as young as three months). The general consensus seemed to be that the DVD made the biggest splash with children between 18 months and three years.

While parents are more likely to select children’s DVDs that they will also enjoy themselves, it seems that the positive - and active - reactions of the kids were what drove the overwhelming approval of the reviewers. athleticBaby Soccer! “emphasizes the joy of sport” and keeps kids “on their feet for most of the length of the show” - something that I’ve never heard about another DVD or TV show. But perhaps the greatest recommendations from our reviewers can be found in comments such as these: “It’s something that as a parent, I’d be pleased to give (or receive) as a gift” and “It arrived 2 weeks ago, and I’m positive we have watched it over 100 times. Really. I’ll be watching for more in this series.”

Any DVD that gets both parents and kids this excited has got to be worth seeing.

For more information on athleticBaby, its offerings and its history, please check out the athleticBaby website.

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Posted in Media, Pre-school, Sports, Toddler | 1 Comment »

Meet the Parent Bloggers: Sherry from Chaos Theory

Tuesday, February 13th, 2007

Chaos Theory authored by Sherry

How long have you been blogging and why did you start? I was actually a blogger from about 2000, back when blogs all ran off Blogger, no one used comments, and they were mostly two or three sentences pointing to some other link. My current version of my blog doesn’t date back that far (which is good because it was probably really boring and the links are likely dead now anyway). I’ve been blogging in my current location since 2005. I originally started because I had nothing better to do during the quiet moments at work when there was nothing to do. Now I blog as a way of sharing, communicating, and emembering things about raising my kids that I might otherwise forget. The sense of community is the best part of blogging.

How did you come up with the name? The whole concept of a butterfly flapping its wings halfway around the world affecting the breeze or whatever over here is fascinating. I’ve tried understanding chaos theory more in-depth but my brain fizzles out before I do. However, I do know enough that it translates well to the “chaos theory” of having kids where every little thing can affect the entire home, family, mood, etc.

Canada is known for beer, hockey… what else? Poutine! French fries, curd cheese, and poutine sauce is a disgusting, artery-clogging mess on a plate, but damn it’s tasty. I’m surprised my heart didn’t explode based on the fact that I ate it almost daily for a stretch of time in my last pregnancy where 1) I craved it constantly and 2) it was the only thing I didn’t have the urge to regurgitate (I think there’s some irony there). I wrote up a guide to making your own, complete with pictures, here: http://andromeda.qc.ca/?p=551(Also, it goes really well with our great beer.)

Worst parenting advice you’ve ever received. Just one? How about things like babies should have a bath every morning AND every night? Who has time for that?! Let’s not even discuss the fact that it would be very drying to their newborn skin!

Favorite Posts: Balancing the priorities, Why the mommyblog phenomenon is so important, & Grieving Uterus

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Posted in Blogger Profiles | No Comments »

Babyproofing Your Marriage Round-Up

Monday, February 12th, 2007

If you’ve spent even one minute calculating how many diaper changes your spouse “owes” you, or wondering when you’re going to get “a break,” you’re probably like most couples with kids. Perhaps it’s because you, like many of us, spent so much time picking out baby bedding and pediatricians that you’re caught off guard when it comes to the state of your own post-baby relationship. Romantic evenings turn into daily battles, love turns into resentment, and we’re left feeling bitter, lonely, and tired.

Whatever the state of your relationship (or the age of your kids), Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O’ Neill, and Julia Stone, authors of Babyproofing Your Marriagemight just have the answers you’re looking for. Our bloggers tackled this book, some with great interest, many others with a fair bit of skepticism, but all with a deep curiosity for what these ladies would have to say.

As far as the tone of the book, the bloggers appreciated the authors’ ability to share helpful hints that are ”sprinkled generously with humor.” “The stories are told using fun cartoons, plenty of anecdotes from real parents, and friendly advice. It is an easy, enjoyable, and entertaining read.“ Many commented on how it was not your typical self-help book, written by real moms – not the doctor/therapist type, that offered frank and funny advice for any parent. “This is not a hokey self-help book” and “I can honestly say that “Babyproofing” really opened my eyes to some of the ways I could help my marriage.”

Several bloggers found themselves remembering the difficult times in their marriages, with some having to make sure not to rehash old issues. “I sobbed with anger that things can get so frustrating. And I wondered why we all try to put up a front of perfection, as if parenting is simple.” However, they were comforted by reading and realizing that they were not alone. I found validation reading that I was not the only one who thought they were going crazy with responsibility, a lack of free time, a loss of self and a lot less intimacy while wondering how everyone else does it.

The advice offered by the authors “is realistic and can be implemented by both husbands and wives.” Many noted that while much of it was common sense, it’s often ” advice that we ought to remember, but often forget as we’re just barely managing to keep all the plates spinning – have a date night, do little favors for each other, don’t keep score of how many times you’ve done the dishes and he hasn’t.”It was clear that the book was directed towards both men and women, with fingers being pointed equally in both directions. ”And I loved that it was written with both women and men in mind. Both sides are equally chastised - though very nicely as, say, your best friend would - and given helpful pointers on how to make things right again.” “The authors seemed to take great care to give equal time and treatment to “the other side” - which in this case would be, ah, the men. This book is not an exercise in male-bashing.”A few bloggers noted feeling somewhat frightened at the prospect of having more children after reading the book, “If you are on the fence about No. 2, this could end the debate for you.” However, one reviewer gave some reassurance to readers.”If you have one child thinking about another, the chapter on “Ramping Up and Giving In” could be a real downer. Maybe I’ve already chilled out enough, but as a mom of three kids born in four and a half years, it really isn’t that bad. ”

Overall, the bloggers couldn’t say enough about the benefits of reading Babyproofing Your Marriage. “Bottom line: The mark of any good book, self-help or not, is if I would recommend it to my friends. And? I’ve already told three of my girlfriends about [this book]. So far.”

Make sure to check out the Babyproofing Your Marriage website for more information about the book and listen to the Motherhood Uncensored podcast February 20, 2007 from 9-10pm EST where host Kristen Chase will be discussing the book with two of the authors!

here!here!

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Posted in Books | 7 Comments »

The Parent Bloggers Network

Archive for February, 2007

Good Kids Bad Habits: Here’s What They’re Saying So Far

Babyproofing Your Marriage Authors Tonight on Blog Talk Radio

School Zone Discovery Cards Campaign Launch

Meet the Parent Bloggers: Joy from Gingajoy

CleanWell Natural Hand Sanitizer Campaign Launch

Burpcatcher Campaign Launch

Good Kids Bad Habits Campaign Launch

athleticBaby Round-Up: Scoring a Goal With Parents and Kids

Meet the Parent Bloggers: Sherry from Chaos Theory

Babyproofing Your Marriage Round-Up

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