Congratulations to Laurie F. of Medway, MA and Alex R. of Round Lake, IL, the winners of our February contest! Laurie and Alex each won a baby/toddler yogi gift pack (valued at over $100 each) from Lotus Children. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest!
We also would like to thank our friends at Lotus Children for their generous partnership. Be sure to check out their beautiful selection of baby and toddler clothing if you haven't yet had a chance to do so.
The category overhaul is done! This was a tedious undertaking but we’re really happy with the results. Our categories (in the left sidebar) have been trimmed and reorganized considerably, and we crosschecked and streamlined the categorization of each of over 400 entries. It’s time to head to the massage table.
We define Local generously; local posts refer to content related to Boston plus all of Massachusetts, plus the occasionally foray into immediate neighboring states. (We do believe it’s a good idea to leave the 95 and 495 belts after all…) Otherwise, content in the remaining categories is relevant to parents anywhere (hint, hint – tell your friends). Thanks for your patience and happy browsing.
Here’s a great tip from my fellow eco-mama Kate. For elegant, earth-friendly bags and reusable bottles, check out ReusableBags.com. Among their lunch bag collection is Kate’s eco chic Mimi the Sardine bag (shown, Modern Berries; $19.95). This machine washable cloth bag is 100% lead-free, made of eco-friendly, safety tested acrylic coated fabrics, and is insulated.
Or totally setting her up for a life of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and social awkwardness. It's all up to you, the parent!
A reader recently wrote in with praise for Jinwood Shoes. Based out of British Columbia, this shoe company produces groovy, soft-soled infant shoes (available in 0-24 months) that have a skid resistant sole, Velcro styling for easy on and off, and come in a variety of cool retro stripe color combinations (shown, Green Stripe). Available for $25.95 at Simple Me Boutique.
UPDATE (3/5/07): In addition to standard free shipping on orders over $25, Simple Me would like to offer Boston Mamas readers 10% off orders over $50 using the code BOSTON.
The last couple of weeks with our new resident Pee Master have been marvelous. And Laurel recently surprised us by making a couple of unexpected solid deliveries into the toilet.
It’s only a couple of data points, but we’re wondering whether our “play it cool” approach is contributing to the ease of this new development. Despite Laurel’s clear preference to use a diaper for pooping, we decided to simply continue to offer a choice of diaper or potty when she needs to poop, assuming she’d come around at some point (plus, it’s all about having choice with her). This process has worked really well; it seems to provide some practice thinking about bodily control, and has helped avoid soiled underpants, potty regression, and constipation (from not wanting to let go in the potty).
We’ve also extended the play it cool approach to the recent instances where Laurel unexpectedly started pushing after a pee. While quietly elated at the prospect of retiring our Diaper Champ, I just continued to read books with her so she would stay relaxed and keep trying. When she finished, I said “Good for you!” (our typical potty verbiage) and she was excited to check out her work and then say goodbye to it. I was too.
Holy crow, it’s almost March! This means our contest in partnership with Lotus Children is closing tomorrow at midnight. Click here to enter to win one of two amazing baby/toddler clothing gift sets from Lotus Children. This contest is open to entrants worldwide. Good luck!
My friend Shannon was my sorority sister (I know, ew, sororities, you may tear your clothing now, silly people). When we lived together in the hallowed halls of Sorority to be Unnamed to Spare Recruitment Problems From Having Accepted Me, Shannon used to hang a red curtain up in her room, pull out one of those new-fangled video camera things and tape us doing Real World Confessions. (This was when the Real World was a relatively new phenomenon.) I once confessed to being that annoying chick who would take one bite out of something and put it back in the fridge - FOR ME, PEOPLE - but for some reason that really torked everyone off and they would leave hostile notes on the refrigerator and stuff.
Anyway, for years Shannon has been sending out her awards-show commentary, and it is so good, I stopped watching the shows themselves and waited for Shannon's comments, so I could go Google just the good stuff. Turns out Shannon's got herself a blog. Shantertainment. I highly encourage you to go waste your entire lunch hour on this blog.
Enjoy.
Parenting is one of the toughest jobs out there; tack on the pressure to conform to the ever present “shoulds” (offered by those who know you well or not at all) or the breezy, effusive parenting reports from celebrities, and it’s no wonder parents often feel that they have to put on airs about how seamlessly things are going at home.
On the flip side, you’ll get nothing but the truth from Meredith O’Brien, a Boston-based writer/blogger whose new book, A Suburban Mom: Notes from the Asylum
If you are looking for quantitative documentation that you can still be a good, loving parent while not doing everything letter perfect, O’Brien’s book will make for an entertaining read. And while I have a few parenting quirks (e.g., a penchant for handmade cards and lunatic birthday baking) that likely would render me as decent fodder for some of O’Brien’s commentary, I’ve got plenty of other parenting imperfections that – thanks to a great therapist – I’ve learned to embrace. And Laurel seems to be surviving the ride.