Loading...
Browsing Tag

parenting advice

Get out of my Uterus: More offensive things people say to pregnant women

Most people are well-intentioned when they make rude and off-putting remarks to pregnant women. Sometimes, it simply takes enough regular people  to read the “foot-in-mouth” comments others have made and included as a subject to a blog post for word to eventually spread to the world.
Some commentary is just unnecessary and/or should be kept inside your head.
In a recent blog entry at MyBrownBaby, writer Tai Gooden shares some of the super rude things people told her when they learned she and her husband would be welcoming their second child, another girl.

Here is an excerpt of a couple such comments and Gooden’s humorous rhetorical reply:

“Oh man, you are having another girl? You can always try again.”
Oh man, you have no idea how disappointed we are to have a completely healthy baby girl. Girls are so useless. But it’s okay because you helped me realize that I can try again! Obviously, I had no idea that I am allowed to have another baby with my husband. Also, since I am the second girl in my family, I am not offended at ALL. Next time, we will “tweak our technique and get it right” because our life mission is to pop out a little boy. 
“You need to give your husband a boy. Every man needs a boy.”
What happens if I never have a boy? I guess I’ll be stoned to death if I don’t birth the necessary male heir to the Gooden throne. Every time someone says this to me, I wait for the TV cameras to come out. I truly believe MTV brought Boiling Points back and I have been on the show for an entire season. 

I also wonder what it means to “give” my husband a boy. I did not go through nine months of a hellacious pregnancy (twice) and push out something the size of a giant pumpkin from my vagina with no epidural (twice) to say “Here, my husband, I give you this small human. Thank you for allowing me to birth your offspring.” They are my kids too and they are not holiday presents.

Read the rest at MyBrownBaby.com

post signature

Memorial Day: 5 Recipes for Kids

Bellyitch Rewind
Source

It’s Memorial Day weekend for the US and this year as with previous years, many families will be gathering to honor fallen soldiers and vets. Here are 5 fun recipes to consider making this weekend while grilling, picnicing and hanging out with family and friends.
Mom’s Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients:

2 liter Sprite

1 can frozen lemonade

3 cans water

1 package kool-aid lemonade

1 cup sugar

fresh or frozen berries

lemon slices

lots of ice
Directions: Mix everything together in a large drink container. This punch is super sweet, but always a hit at a party.

Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients

    12 ounces rotini pasta

    1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cut into strips

    1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper

    1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

    4 ounces crumbled feta cheese

    4 roma (plum) tomato, diced

    1/4 cup Italian-style salad dressing

Directions

 

In a large pot with boiling salted water cook pasta until al dente. Drain.
Meanwhile, season chicken strips with lemon pepper and garlic powder. Broil in oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until juices run clear. Cool chicken. Cut into bite size pieces.
In a large bowl, mix together the cooked pasta, chicken, quartered tomatoes, and feta cheese.
Serve with Italian dressing poured over top of pasta.  

Deviled Egg Boats By Rebecca Milanski

 
Ingredients

    12 hard boiled egg, cooled and peeled

    1/2 cup mayonnaise

    2 teaspoon dijon mustard

    1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

    1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

    1 pinch sugar

    1 red bell pepper

    1 yellow bell pepper

    1 green bell pepper

    1/2 teaspoon paprika, for garnish

Directions

1. Slice the eggs in half from top to bottom. Scoop the yolks into a medium mixing bowl and lay the whites aside.

2. In a medium bowl, combine yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, cayenne pepper and sugar using a fork; stir to thoroughly combine.

3. Place the yolk mixture into a zip-top plastic bag and cut a small hole at one of the corners. Pipe the mixture into each of the white halves.

4. For the boat sails, cut each bell pepper into 1-inch wide strips. Cut each strip into 1-inch squares and slice each square diagonally to make a triangle. Stick each sail upright into yolk mixture and sprinkle with paprika.

5. Chill for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator before serving.

Kid’s Macaroni
Ingredients

    1 (8 ounce) package uncooked elbow macaroni

    3/4 cup mayonnaise

    2 tablespoons cider vinegar

    1 teaspoon sugar

    1 teaspoon kosher salt

    1/4 teaspoon white pepper

    1/4 cup green onions, sliced

    2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped

Directions

 

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold running water.
In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, green onions and jalapeno peppers. Stir in the macaroni. Refrigerate until chilled before serving, at least 30 minutes.
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

    3/4 cup all-purpose flour

    1/2 teaspoon baking powder

    1/4 teaspoon salt

    3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

    1 cup sugar

    3 large eggs

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    1/2 cup sour cream

    Easy White Icing

    Sprinkles (optional)

Martha Stewart

Flag Cup Cakes

Directions

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners.

    Into a medium bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, then beat in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with sour cream and beginning and ending with flour.

    Pour batter into cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

    Cool in pan 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, then spread with Easy White Icing using a table knife or small offset spatula. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired.

Decorate patriotic cupcakes in July with stars piped in blue buttercream and stripes cut from red licorice laces.

post signature

Memorial Day: 16 Things NOT to say to a Military Spouse

Memorial Day is this Monday and generally, in addition to honoring and remembering fallen soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice, people also have come to use the holiday to also express their gratitude to alive, wounded and actively serving members of the military. 
This holiday, Mom.me‘s Rebecca Yarros reminds us all of the top 16 things to NOT say to a military spouse. Often times, people are well-intentioned but end up sticking their feet in their mouths and insulting those women (and men) who are married to servicemen.
Here is a snapshot of the items on the list:
1. “But, that war is over.”
2. “Do you really think the military is the right environment to raise a child?”
3. “Can’t you just go visit him?”
4. “You must think men in uniform are sexy!”
5. “Don’t all military wives cheat when their husbands are gone?”
6. “Oh, ‘Army Wives,’ just like the TV show?”
7. “Man, I wish my husband would deploy.”
8. “Where can I get that pretty gold star pin?”
9. “ I know just how you feel, my boyfriend has business trips all the time.” 

10. “Marriage must be so much easier when he’s not home to annoy you!”
11. “So, has he killed people?”
12. “Have you thought about getting in shape during deployment and surprising him?”
13. “Aren’t you scared he’ll die?”
14. “Will he ever get that scar fixed?”
15. “You knew what you were getting into.”
16. “I could never do that.”
To read why these words are “no-nos” head over to Me.com and check out Yarros’ piece there.

photos: Shutterstock

post signature

10 Hilarious #BabyEyebrows Photos to make you smile

It’s a social media trend; to pencil in eyebrows on your baby and share the image in Facebook and Instagram and other social sharing sites. The photos are quite funny. 
You carry them in your womb for 40 weeks and we suppose you might as well get a good chuckle out of how hilarious he or she will look when doing natural baby expressions accented with painted on brows!
Here are a pick of our faves. Would you do this to your baby and risk him turning into a meme? ha!

source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/20/baby-eyebrowing-most-fun-_n_5358859.html

http://www.dontpokthebear.com/drawing-eyebrows-babies-will-disappoint/

http://www.parentdish.ca/2014/05/20/babyeyebrows-proof-eyebrows-really-do-make-all-the-difference/

http://fox2now.com/2014/05/20/web-world-why-are-babies-wearing-eyebrows/

http://www.hlntv4u.com/interactive/2014/05/20/babies-eyebrows-instagram-twitter

post signature

Father’s Day: 10 Gift Ideas for every type of Dad

If you are racking your brain trying to figure out what to get for your dad, husband or partner this upcoming Father’s Day, here are some gift ideas you can consider putting together or gifting him:

  1. The Academic: A basket filled with a collection of books and book marks and/or downloads of his favorite titles on Nook, Kindle or Audible.com.
  2. The Sports Dad: Two tickets to a game or his favorite team’s jersey and cap.
  3. The Movie Loving Dad: A movie prize pack including theater ticket vouchers, a sample of movies, microwave popcorn and/or candy assembled in a basket.
  4. The Cigar Loving Dad: A couple of his favorite cigars and/or a cigar holder, engraved with his initials if you still have time to get that done.
  5. The Jazz Loving Dad: An old jazz album of his that you put in a frame that you can pick up from Target or Walmart and/or tickets to a local jazz performance or club
  6. The Outdoorsy Dad: A collection of common accessories items he needs for a day out hiking, or bike riding or kayaking  that has gotten worn down and need replacing. Assemble a few items of each with some sporting magazines in a basket.
  7. The Businessman Dad: Cuff links, suspenders, a tie tack and/or the traditional tie would be perfect. Anything that can be quickly monogrammed is a plus.
  8. The Nascar loving dad: A poster, cap and other car accessories featuring the logos of his favorite driver
  9. The Hipster dad: A coffee mug with a Starbucks gift card and an iTunes gift card (and or a music mix on a jump drive or CD of his favorite songs)
  10. The Wine Loving dad: A basket with an assortment of his favorite wines, a pack of gourmet crackers, a wedge of aged cheese and a wine bottle opener

Good luck!

post signature

Parents launch Kickstarter to fund Baby Essentials vending machine

In 2011, we featured a neat invention, The Nanny Caddy, a vending machine for parents who may have forgotten or used up some baby essentials while traveling through airports, shopping at the mall, or visiting zoos or amusement parks. 
Fast forward a couple years and you have parents Vanessa and Phil Carrington who’ve updated the concept. Think: touch pad interface, credit card swipe to prevent theft, printed or email receipt, adjustable trays, refrigerated options, digital ads pace and shopping cart feature for multiple purchases, among other neat features. The Carringtons are launching their own version called WeGoBabies!
“We wanted something better than a ‘potato chip’ machine (not that there is anything wrong with those but we weren’t selling potato chips.), ” they write in their Kickstarter fundraising campaign site. “We wanted to integrate all of the technology we have become accustomed to using every day, into the automated retail world”.
The Pitch:

Forgot your baby’s​ formula, diapers, portable DVD player for his favorite

Yo Gabba Gabba movie?? ​ No worries with the new innovation WeGoBabies! It’s a

common problem parent’s face when they’re away from home with their kids…a

“doh!”​moment when they reach for something their little one needs

and realize they forgot to pack it. That’s when WeGoBabies comes to their rescue. WeGoBabies

is a supped-up, state-of-the-art​vending machine stocked with everyday items

for babies and young children, including: formula, milk, healthy snacks,

juice, diapers/wipes, toys, bottles, pacifiers, teethers, and even larger items​like

hand-held electronics and booster seats! 

​This ​is not your ordinary vending machine!  WeGoBabies technology is

like nothing you’ve ever seen with all the bells and whistles, such as:​
  • Dual system vending:

    refrigerated and non-refrigerated all-in-one
  • Inventory, advertising, and

    machine functionality monitored from remote location – so it’s always well

    stocked
  • ​Large user-friendly touch

    pad selection screen
  • Receipt printer for proof of

    purchase and easy exchange/refund options, and many more features…
The Ask: And to get more of theses machines into more airports, malls and venues where harried parents frequent, the Carringtons are turning to the public for help and have launched a Kickstarter campaign, this past May 5 to help raise $50,000 for working capital.
If you can, and care to help the cause, read more and if you like and want to help make it come into fruition, then SUPPORT!

post signature

10 Reasons Mothers Cannot Get a Break

 Bellyitch Rewind

You wouldn’t expect to work constantly and not get any vacation time or time off and yet motherhood can seem just that way on a daily basis. There are many reasons mothers don’t get much needed alone time. Sometimes it’s the circumstances and sometimes we get in our own way. Here are ten reasons why personal time escapes many mothers.
1. Mothers have to do everything – Some moms believe that nothing, absolutely nothing, will get done without them. They need to oversee every detail of family life and make sure things are running smoothly. As long as they have that outlook and it works for everyone concerned, chances are nothing is going to change.
2. Perfectionism – The perfect mother doesn’t need alone time, or so she thinks. Trying to live up to the unattainable image of the supermom is a sure way to crash and burn.
3. Demanding kids – Sometimes little ones can be extremely demanding; Mom cannot even go to the bathroom alone. Children like this want to know where Mommy is every minute and she’d better not get out of their eyesight. The idea of alone time for such a mom is just a pipe dream.
4. Fathers that don’t support alone time – If you have a husband that doesn’t support your alone time, it might be much harder to get. Some fathers are kind enough to take the kids while Mom goes off and does something she wants to do or maybe even stays home and takes a bubble bath. But for the mother who doesn’t have that kind of support at home, finding the time to be by herself can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
5. Too busy – Some mothers are workaholics and doing too much all the time to take a break. Every minute is planned and used to the max. This mom gets tons of things accomplished, except perhaps some much needed self care.
6. Over scheduled – Similar to the busy mom this mom is always on the go, but she has some down time. The only problem is that her down time is spent with other people. She’s waiting for the kids to do this or that, she’s at dance rehearsals or foot ball practice. With a little help she could actually manage to get some alone time in there somewhere.
7. Guilt feelings – There are mothers who just feel so guilt ridden about taking private time for themselves, they can’t bring themselves to do it. It feels as if they are stealing time away from the family.
8. Worried about the kids – These moms are worried that something terrible will happen to the kids if they are away, even for a little while. Over protective mothers have a need to hover over their children constantly and really can’t function without them. Chances are many of the hovering moms, in reality, don’t even want time to themselves.
9. Not thinking creatively – All it takes at times is a bit of creative thinking to get a piece of alone time. Most moms could probably figure out how to make it happen if they would take the time to get resourceful with their thinking. You’d be surprised what a little imagination can dream up!
10. Single parents – Mothers who don’t have a backup parent or other family support around them can find it especially difficult to find time for themselves. Trading babysitting favors with other single moms and making time in the early morning or late evenings when the kids are in bed may be options for these moms. Again, creativity is the key.

post signature

Bounce House Safety: Over 30,000 injured in inflatables, Safety Commission reports (VIDEOS)

Many are shocked of the news this week about two New York boys injured Monday afternoon when a strong gust of wind blew the bounce house they were playing in during a birthday party 50 feet in the air.
It carried them and a 10-year old girl across a townhouse community before dropping them out on a parked car and the asphalt, and eventually collapsing on a structure in South Glen Fall.
The boys, ages 5 and 6,  suffered several broken bones and other injuries and are in the hospital while the girl escaped with minor scrapes. This was the last in a series of bounce house mishaps over the years. ABC News has reported on several over the past few months. The industry isn’t regulated and anyone can purchase a commercial grade bounce house for about $1,000. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that there were over 30,000 injuries from 2003 to 2007 from inflatable amusement apparatuses. 
See the Videos below, which report that in 2013, three bounce houses blew away in Arizona.
Make sure this Spring and Summer and in the future that if you get one for your kid’s party that the stakes are hammered strongly into the ground, use reputable professional companies, not companies that rent them out as a side-business, including some that are not insured. 
Further, perhaps avoid DIY jobs and the temptation to purchase your own from a big box wholesaler like Sam’s Club or Costco because the risk of cutting costs may not be worth it. Reputable and insured companies will not permit a bounce house to be used if the winds exceed 15 miles per hour. 



ABC US News | ABC Entertainment News



ABC US News | ABC Entertainment News



ABC US News | ABC Entertainment News



post signature

Fastest growing US baby names reflect changing population: Daleyza, Jayceon & Jurnee

The big news from the United States Social Security Administration‘s list of most popular American names this week isn’t just that for the first time after 14 years, Jacob finally got dethroned as the #1 boy name.  Nope! Beyond the fact that Noah clawed to number 1 this year is what can be learned from the fastest climbing names: that they reflect the changing demographic in the US.

This year, the name Daleyza jumped from number 3,130 on the list to No. 585!  Daleyza is the name of the young daughter of Larry Hernandez, a singer who stars in a mun2 Spanish-language reality TV show called Larrymania.
Hmmm.
Population statisticians predict that by 2050, the Hispanic/Latino-American population, Asian or of two or more races will be the majority of the 17 and under population in the United States.

“In the past, most parents were picking from a pretty well-defined set of names,” Laura Wattenberg, creator of Babynamewizard.com said. “Literally for hundreds of years, the English royal names dominated. You had John and Mary and James and Elizabeth.”

Today, she said, “we get names everywhere.”

RealityTV is a hot spot for picking names. 

For boys, Jayceon, a name of two hip hop artists, jumped 845 spots to #206 on the list. Popular rapper “The Game” real name is Jayceon and was featured on a VH1 reality TV show for a few seasons.
“Names have more widely become seen as a personal brand, a statement of individual style and personality, and so people are looking for a name that’s different from what other people have,” Pamela Redmond Satran, co-founder of Nameberry.com  told AP. “In the 1950s, everybody was looking to blend in.”
Among the other top risers for girls: Marjorie, Lennon and Jurnee. Jurnee Smollett-Bell is an actress who starred in the TV show Friday Night Lights and currently stars in Parenthood on ABC.
Among the other top risers for boys: Milan, Atlas, Jayse and Duke.
Read more about the names from the Associated Press coverage HERE.

post signature

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

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.

post signature

Batman138 Bro138 Dolar138 Gas138 Gudang138 Hoki99 Ligaciputra Panen77 Zeus138 Kilat77 Planet88 Gaspol168 Sikat88 Rupiah138 Garuda138 Gacor77 Roma77 Sensa138 Panen138 Slot138 Gaco88 Elanggame Candy99 Cair77 Max7 Best188 Space77 Sky77 Luxury777 Maxwin138 Bosswin168 Cocol88 Slot5000 Babe138 Luxury138 Jet77 Bonanza138 Bos88 Aquaslot Taktik88 Lord88 Indobet Slot69 Paus138 Tiktok88 Panengg Bingo4d Stars77 77dragon Warung168 Receh88 Online138 Tambang88 Asia77 Klik4d Bdslot88 Gajah138 Bigwin138 Markas138 Yuk69 Emas168 Key4d Harta138  Gopek178 Imbaslot Imbajp Deluna4d Luxury333 Pentaslot Luxury111 Cair77 Gboslot Pandora188 Olxtoto Slotvip Eslot Kuy138 Imbagacor Bimabet