Category Archives: Parenting

In Defense Of Slumber Parties

Ami AngelowiczFebruary 10, 2011 //

Going to slumber parties used to be a fun thing, well, unless you were the girl who got her undies put in the fridge, or the first to fall asleep, or the one who cried because they were doing drugs in “Footloose” (that was me). I guess slumber parties were not always that fun — groups of girls can be a**holes — but they weren’t exactly damaging either. There’s a piece in The New York Times this week about the “emotional bloodshed” slumber parties can cause kids. Separation anxiety, bullying, and attention deficit disorder are cited as reasons to be wary of sending your child to a sleepover. Keep reading »

Dr. Phil Tells Mom To Not Let Son Play With Barbies

Jessica WakemanFebruary 7, 2011 //

Dr. Phil doesn’t want your son to be “confused” — especially if “confused” means “gay.” Not that one of America’s most prominent psychological experts (thanks a lot, Oprah) comes right out and says being gay is bad. The gay and lesbian blog Queerty points us to DrPhil.com, where he kindly suggests a mother “direct” her son away from the clothes and toys “for girls” to which he is gravitating. “Don’t buy him Barbie dolls or girl’s clothes,” he writes. “You don’t want to do things that seem to support the confusion at this stage of the game …Take the girl things away, and buy him boy toys.” Keep reading »

Mother Punishes Son With Hot Sauce, Cold Shower

Amelia McDonell-ParryFebruary 4, 2011 //


On “The View” this week, the ladies discussed a mother who appeared on Dr. Phil, who punishes her young son for misbehaving by pouring hot sauce on his tongue and forcing him into a freezing cold shower. (The mother has since been charged with abuse.) In the clip above, it’s clear this poor kid is terrified of his mom and the punishment he knows she’s going to inflict upon him. Look, I know timeout doesn’t always suffice, and there are plenty of people who think a swat on the butt is occasionally warranted (I am not one of them, FYI), but this just reeks of wrong to me. The pain and discomfort it’s meant to cause is so specific. I don’t think jail is the answer for this lady, but parenting classes sure might come in handy. Keep reading »

Happy Daughters Play Video Games With Dad

Ami AngelowiczFebruary 2, 2011 //

Fathers and daughters who game together stay together, according to a new study. Researchers found that adolescent girls who played video games with their parents (more specifically, their dads) were happier, less aggressive, better students who were more connected with their families. The same results did not apply to the boys. Of course, we’re talking age appropriate games like “Guitar Hero,” not “Grand Theft Auto” or “Call of Duty.” I’m not the least bit surprised. I don’t think these results are as much about video games as they are about the importance of daddy/daughter bonding time. Back in the day, pre-video game culture, my pops and I bonded over breakfast. Old school. Point being, adolescent girls need their dads, whether they are playing video games or chatting over Egg McMuffins. Hopefully we don’t need a study to remind us. [Live Science] Keep reading »

Miranda Kerr: “I Intend To Breastfeed For As Long As I Can”

Celebrity Baby ScoopJanuary 28, 2011 //

Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom welcomed son Flynn on January 6 and in addition to being in awe of her “beautiful little soul” the new mom is cherishing the experience of breastfeeding her newborn son.

“I intend to breastfeed for as long as I can,” she said. “My breast milk will give our little Flynn the nutrition he needs for his continued healthy development and to all mums out there I am sure you will make the right choice for you and your baby.” Read more… Keep reading »

Should Pregnant Ladies Get Special Parking Privileges?

Jessica WakemanJanuary 24, 2011 //

A New York City councilman will introduce a law next week that would grant pregnant women special parking privileges. Women who are having difficult pregnancies that create mobility problems could get a doctor’s note entitling them to park in no-parking or no-standing zones, without fear of getting a ticket, up to 30 days after their due date. Councilman David Greenfield of Brooklyn said the pregnancy perk idea came after seeing his wife struggle while pregnant. “If I’m on a train and a pregnant woman walks in, I stand up and offer her my seat,” Greenfield told The New York Daily News. “I consider this legislation to be the same thing — standing up on the City Council for women who have difficult pregnancies.” Aww, that’s kinda sweet. Keep reading »

The Daily Ovulation: I Hope My Daughter Speaks French And Has A Bob

Amelia McDonell-ParryJanuary 18, 2011 //


Little kids are basically always adorable, but certain traits are bound to make any childless woman’s uterus do cartwheels. For example, a child retelling a classic story, like Winnie-The-Pooh, with wide-eyed enthusiasm. Or a little girl with a perfectly “Amelie”-esque bob haircut. Or a wee voice speaking in perfect French. This little girl has all three. I don’t even need the subtitles. [via Huffington Post] Keep reading »

Do You Have A Backup Baby Daddy?

Julie GersteinJanuary 18, 2011 //

My friend Erin and I were stuck driving behind a slow-moving bus yesterday, and to kill time, we started talking about the particular mythical unicorns in our lives — our fallback baby-making guys. Men who, if neither of us was in a committed relationship, we might want to have children with. For Erin, it’s her friend Rich, with whom she’s been friends for almost 10 years. “Occasionally I think that maybe we’d make a good couple, but I know he’s too flaky. He’s too unreliable.” But still! “He has so many qualities that are wonderful, that I would love for my kids to be. And yeah, it’s crossed my mind that he’s kind of my go-to if nothing else works out.” I have one of those too — a guy friend that I have no real romantic interest in, but who possesses all of the qualities I’d love to have in a baby daddy. First off, Scott is smart beyond words, accomplished, and very, very thoughtful. (How thoughtful? He took me with him to Tiffany’s to pick out jewelry for his ex-girlfriend.) And he’s cute; there’s just never been any spark between us. Still, he’s really a very ideal man, and one whose genetic material should be propagated. Of course, he doesn’t know I think this about him. And maybe he never will. But it’s nice to know that there is someone out there that I do find ideal. Do you have a baby daddy backup? Keep reading »

Cheapskate: The Children’s Place Sale

Annika HarrisJanuary 17, 2011 //

I don’t have any children, but I have a few cousins with at least three children each, who don’t want for anything. So when it comes to birthdays, I prefer to get my cousins’ children, whom I consider my niece and nephews, clothing rather than toys. I often look to The Children’s Place for affordable and stylish clothing. This store is able to translate trends and classic items so the clothes look current, but not too adult — the kids still look like kids. Although The Children’s Place’s prices are really reasonable, the sale prices are even more remarkable. Check out some of my favorite items for newborns, baby boys and girls, and big boys and girls, after the jump. Keep reading »

Gwyneth And GOOP’s “Day In The Life” Of 3 Privileged Working Moms

Amelia McDonell-ParryJanuary 13, 2011 //

For every step forward Gwyneth Paltrow makes in her attempt to improve her image, she takes two steps back. Though I was warming up to ol’ Goopie again, after that adorable and funny guest appearance on “Glee,” I am back to full GP attack mode thanks to her latest GOOP newsletter. I skipped last week’s GOOP once I realized it was just another endorsement of a cleanse that makes you s**t your brains out, but this week I was enticed to click with the promise of “a day in the life of real working moms.” I’m not a mom, but I want to be and that work/life/parenting balance is of interest to me. Who would these real working moms be? How varied would their advice and routines be? Sigh. I should have known better. GOOP showed me a day in the life of, ahem, a venture capitalist Gwynnie met, bestie Stella McCartney, and Gwyneth herself. Girl couldn’t trot out a poor or even a middle class mom? I know she’s got a cleaning lady! Keep reading »

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