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Chasing Tiger Woods: Study says spending more on kids’ sports yields less happy kids

Posted on May 13, 2014

Parents striving for their kids to become the next Tiger Woods or Michael Phelps or Venus and Serena Williams and spending beau coup bucks on their kids’ sport activities are actually making their kids hate the sport, new research states.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the researcher who studied parental spending on young athletes expected to find a positive correlation of happier kids to increased spending. Instead sport psychologist Travis Dorsch learned that parents who spend more on their child’s athletics run the risk of reducing the child’s enjoyment of the sport.

“When parental sports spending goes up, it increases the likelihood either that the child will feel pressure or that the parent will exert it,” Dr. Dorsch, a Utah State University professor and former professional football player told the Journal.

The study notes that the increased investments stem from increased expectations that their kids will excel and return their investment, but that is unlikely in many cases where the kids are learning to despise the sport. It recommends that parents temper their financial output.

Read more in today’s Wall Street Journal.

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Idris Elba & Eric Benet: Celebrity men who’ve shared photos of their breastfeeding partners in social media

Posted on May 13, 2014

First Eric Benet in 2012 and now Idris Elba in 2014.

In April, Elba welcomed his first child with partner makeup artist Naiyana Garth and last Saturday, he posted a photo on his Twitter account of little Winston innocently flipping the bird while breastfeeding with the hilarious caption, “I’ve been drinking, I’ve been drinking…Drunk in Milk” as a parody to a lyric in Beyonce‘s song “Drunk in Love” off her last self-titled album.

Funny stuff!

A couple years prior, in January 2012,singer Eric Benet (Halle Berry‘s ex-husband) also shared a photo (which has since been deleted) of his wife Manuela Testloni on Instagram also nursing their daughter Lucia while she was unknowingly holding up the universal sign for peace.

Both celebrity men shared the photo because they found amusement in the finger gesture their respective babies’ were holding up when they snapped the pic, not knowing, perhaps or thinking in doing so, they would be de facto advocates for breastfeeding.

In fact, back in 2012, Eric’s share sparked a bunch of controversy, online discussion and some public shaming of public breast exposure during breastfeeding. If it’s taboo when its seen in the general public, it’s become doubly taboo when shown in social media for many more to see. It’s a topic which we’ve seen come alive again recently when last March 2013, a famous athlete’s model girlfriend did the same thing and was virtually shamed off the web, accused of doing it out of pure vanity, not for the purpose of promoting nursing.

It looks like we may have evolved since 2012 and/or the vocal opponents to such natural images are realizing to keep their trap shut and deal with it and/or the image got buried in all the other news items that have been dominating our minds and news feeds.

Anyhooo. All are sweet and endearing and we encourage more of this type of sharing by celebs to help destigmatize public breastfeeding.

Kudos Idris and Winston (and mama Naiyana, of course)!

Winston is Elba’s second child; he has a daughter, Isan, from a previous marriage to Dormowa Sherma.

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10 iPhone Apps to help Parents Discipline their Kids

Posted on May 13, 2014

When it comes to Apple’s powerful and popular iPhone, it seems that there’s very little the mobile device isn’t able to streamline and simplify. Thanks to the App Store and the developers that make it great, there are even offerings to help busy parents track and manage parenting and disciplinary tactics. These 10 apps are among the most popular and useful for keeping up with kids’ behavior, as well as the rewards and consequences of their behavioral choices.

1. Positive Parenting Practices – This $3.99 app is geared towards parents who espouse a more lenient, gentle approach to discipline. Positive Parenting Practices is more than an app detailing disciplinary methods, offering valuable insights into the motivation behind kids’ problem behavior and real-life solutions.

2. KidChart – Charts are great tools for tracking kids’ accomplishments, chores and behavior. Unfortunately, they’re also rather difficult to carry in your pocket. That’s where this $0.99 app comes in, putting the power of a full-sized paper chart at your fingertips. KidChart is also an effective way to monitor kids’ daily behavior for later discussion, when cooler heads allow for constructive conversation.

3. hAPPy Family – Encouraging positive behavior on the go is easy with this powerful app, which rewards kids with collectible marbles, ocean animals, treasures, insects or candy when they make the right choices.

4. iGrounded – Teenagers are notorious for pushing boundaries a bit too far in a bid to assert their burgeoning independence. A game of consequences that you’re able to edit and modify to suit your teen’s individual needs, iGrounded is available in the app store for $0.99.

5. iReward – The customizable motivational charts provided by this $4.99 app are designed for use by parents, caregivers and educators to reward good behavior. Traditional rewards, like gold stars, are among the options offered by this simple but powerful application.

6. Timeout – Ultimate Discipline Tool – Tracking the length of a timeout to provide kids a visual representation of how long they are sentenced to this punishment is a snap with this application. The app isn’t loaded with extra features, but it does deliver exactly what it promises.

7. Tymoot – Designed by a parent for parents, Tymoot is a $0.99 app that helps you create and set timeout timers. However, there’s a bit more to this one than meets the eye due to the Wheel of Discipline feature that allows your children to spin the virtual wheel in order to be “sentenced” to one of eight customizable punishments.

8. Caught Being Good – The free CAUGHT BEING GOOD app takes the spinning wheel of chance approach to rewarding kids for undirected good behavior. You can change, add or remove any reward, and also set the probability of a particular one appearing. Surprising your child with an unsought reward for good behavior that you have not requested or directed is an effective method of encouraging her to continue on the right path, even when she doesn’t think you’re there to see her.

9. Positive Discipline – Rather than a traditional punishment and rewards systems, the Positive Discipline approach relies upon a motivational system that helps kids to develop strong moral fiber, character and a sense of self-reliance. Encourage a sense of connection with the respectful, encouraging tone that motivates kids to make the right decisions in their daily lives, autonomously.

10. Rich Kids – Behavior & Reward Contracts for Child Discipline – This $2.99 app combines positive reinforcement parenting tactics with a method of teaching the fundamentals of financial responsibility that helps kids grow into the well-rounded, well-adjusted adults they were meant to become. Suggested for kids between the ages of three and 15, Rich Kids is an effective tracking and incentive tool.

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Kristin Cavallari welcomes 2nd son (Pregnancy Style in PHOTOS)

Posted on May 13, 2014

Congratulations to Kristin Cavallari and her husband Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on the birth of their second child, son Jaxon Wyatt last Wednesday, May 7.

The Fabulist co-host announced the news on her Instagram account. She and Cutler are already parents to 20-month old Camden Jack.

Let’s reflect some of her fab pregnancy fashion looks from the past few weeks from her social media shares shall we?

With Chrissy Teigen before a taping of The Fabulist

In a Steve McQueen dress and shoes by her Chinese Laundry imprint

Shopping for her baby’s going home outfit with E!

Holding up a copy of her Fit Pregnancy cover

Before a taping of her E! TV show, The Fabulist

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A Comprehensive Guide to Maternity Care changes under New Healthcare Law

Posted on May 12, 2014

If you recently gotten healthcare in the United States under the new Affordable Care Act (euphamestically called Obamacare), you may or may not be aware of all the benefits, costs and other perks involved.

And even for those who sis not get coverage, there are changes to existing policies, ease to burdens on co-pay and other perks or costs that you should be aware of. Check out this guide to help navigate you through the new rules, especially if you are pregnant, expecting to deliver soon or have recently had a baby.

Mom's Guide to Health Reform and Maternity Coverage

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Kelly Clarkson’s baby is due to arrive on June 18

Posted on May 12, 2014

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock‘s daughter is due on June 18, according to their Babies R Us registry.

Kelly Clarkson’s baby is reportedly due on June 18.

The ‘Beautiful Disaster’ singer and her music manager husband Brandon Blackstock have set up a registry at Babies R Us for their daughter, which apparently reveals the due date of their first child.

According to RadarOnline.com, Kelly has asked her close friends and family to buy unisex presents for the tiny tot, with cuddly toy animals featuring heavily on the list of 83 items.

The total value of the registry reportedly amounts to $3,000 and covers everything from baby basics like a breast pump to innovative presents like a baby sign language book and a hippo-shaped humidifier.

Kelly – who announced she was expecting a girl in January – clearly had her family members in mind when she chose goodies like bibs printed with the words ‘I Love My Grandma’ and ‘I Love My Aunt’.

The 32-year-old star also appears to be hoping her daughter will follow in her footsteps and be musically inclined, since she included a rainbow xylophone and a Baby Einstein lullaby CD.

A Cookie Monster puppet towel and a red car seat are the only presents to have been purchased so far.

Kelly – who is a stepmother to Brandon’s children Savannah, 12, and Seth, eight – was delighted when she discovered she was pregnant since the couple only had been trying to conceive since their wedding in October.

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Throwback Blogging: First Day Back to Work after Maternity Leave

Posted on May 12, 2014

On this Monday, after Mother’s Day, I am reminded of how blessed I am to be able to work for myself from home, blogging, being a writer, columnist, attorney and Jill of all trades, including the head of my own media company. But I am also reminded of what life was like when I was in the 9-5 employment working world in this throwback post from my first mommy blog, “The Mishciefmakers” which I launched in 2007.

In it, I reflect on my first day back to my job at the international law firm I worked at as a law associate after having my third child in 2007. I rarely blog about my role as a mommy on this blog since it has taken off as a hub for celebrity news and gossip, parenting advice and giveaways. Today is a good day to reflect.

ENJOY!

1. This work thing may not work out. I was BORED out of MY MIND!! It’s always tough the first day you know having a bunch of stuff to read to get caught up to speed and me having a short attention span and all. PURE AND UTTER TORTURE!

2. I had a lunchtime workout. No, not going to the gym in the building, but instead eavesdropping on a couple’s conversation where they were going on about canoing this past weekend, planning a Mt. Everest climb trip for the summer and white water rafting this coming weekend. I was exhausted by the time I polished off my plate of black beans, rice and collard greens from the local Barbecue spot. Whew!

3. This vegan diet I am on will not last in the working world. By the time I walked the four blocks back to my office I was HUNGRY again….AND GASSY! damn. And you say I gotta 20 minute commute home on a crowded train? Double damn!

4. I forgot how noxious the subway system smelled or maybe it was just that 5 ‘o clock end of workday FUNK when everybody’s collective deodorant also QUIT for the day. P.U.!!!

5. Didn’t know a sister could run that fast in 3 inch pumps, but my butt had an anxious nanny waiting to go home and two kids to pick up by 6pm or face daycare late fines! I was this close to pushing a couple of slow walkers out of my way just as my train was about to pull off the platform. It those doors closed, I don’t who I was going to fuss at first.

Now, I have conference call at 8pm and a couple of FCC filings and other deliverables to do for my off site clients, right after I breastfeed this baby and print out the agenda.

yeah, i don’t know how long this will last…

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Inside Lil Kim’s Royal Themed Baby Shower (PHOTOS & VIDEOS)

Posted on May 12, 2014

Lil Kim had her baby shower this weekend at the Broad Street Ballroom in New York City. The lavish, ornately decorated and extravagant affair was designed by TV host David Tutera and filmed for his WETV show “CELEBrations” which will premiere this summer on August 1 at 9pm.

Mr. Papers and Kim pose for pictures.

Perhaps it was a Games of Thrones/Royal Baby Shower theme as medieval court buglers dressed the part and announced the Queen Bee’s arrival in a detailed jeweled gold bump hugging evening dress.

The color theme was variations of royal purple and gold.

Before the event, Kim picked up the baby shower cake.

Some of the celeb guests attending the event included several reality TV show vets of yesteryear including Hip Hop rap pioneer Sandra “Pepa” Denton from the 90s female rap group Salt n Pepa and theVH1 show Let’s Talk About Pep and The Surreal Life and Tiffany “New York” Pollard from the VH1 shows I Love New York and Flava of Love.

Mr. Papers, Lisa Raye and Juelz Santana

Of course her child’s father “Mr. Papers” was in attendance at the co-ed event, as well baby’s god dad Fred the Godson and rapper Juelz Santana, Single Ladies actress Lisa Raye, Love and Hip Hop New York’s Kimbella Vanderhee.

Her fans and some guests to the red-carpet affair shared some early pics and videos of the event and arrivals on their respective social media accounts.

Lisa Raye gives remarks

Lisa Raye’s daughter plus sized model Kai Morae, Kimbella Vanderhee, Mob Wives star Drita Davanzo, Lisa Raye, Gia and TV personality Claudia Jordan

Kai Morae, a guest and Tiffany “New York” Pollard pose for a pic.

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4 Mother’s Day Mom Memes

Posted on May 11, 2014

BELLYITCH REWIND- Thought I’d repost this past post about Moms for Mother’s Day. Enjoy:Have you seen(and possibly have gotten tired of) the “What People Think I do/What I really do” meme that has been circulating on Facebook, Google Plus and other forms of social media? Google it! But in a nutshell, it started as a visual of 6 selected images representing what society, parents, friends, etc think people in a specific profession do and the last image is one that represents what they really do. Often times, reality is something that is farthest from perception. The meme has expanded to include other categories beyond just jobs people hold. They are usually funny, mainly to those people in that profession or role.

You can check out a collection of nearly 1,000 of them HERE!

I managed to gather four I’ve seen online that deal with mothers. Enjoy! (click the images to enlarge)