Lately, anything–okay, let’s be real here, everything–retro is totally chic.  Somehow retro looks even more fashionable the second time around.  Take for example, oh say, kitchen appliances.  Cuisinart, one of the coolest names in kitchen gear, has infused retro spunk into their products, making even somewhat dull kitchen appliances, like the toaster oven, look outrageously hip. 

When it comes to *baby*, retro style is over-the-top adorable.  From groovy crib bedding by Babylicious to retro play kitchens by KidKraft, it’s entirely possible to raise a baby retro style.  The must-have Ergo Baby Carrier is even available with retro lining (among other lining options)!  Even when your baby is no longer a baby and heads off to school, you can continue the retro theme with a  metal lunch box reminiscent of your own youth!

Love retro, too?  Tell us, what’s your favorite parenting/baby retro must-have?

Yesterday, I decided to reclaim the “sippy cup” cupboard in my kitchen.  You see, over the years I’ve amassed sippy cups of nearly every brand, including Avent, Munchkin, Nuby, and Gerber.  Every time I open ”the” cupboard, sippy cups, tops, and spill proof valves fall out on top of me.  To make matters worse, whenever I go to use a particular cup, I waste multiple minutes rummaging around for the matching top and valve. 

As sentimental as those spouts with baby teeth chew marks may be, a full purge was in order. I decided the ultimate solution is to start anew.  This time with BornFree Drinking Cups.  BornFree bottles and cups have made headline news in recent months.  Why?  Because BornFree products are said to be the ultimate in safe feeding.  BornFree products are made free from the chemical Bisphenol-A., a chemical found in bottles and cups made from polycarbonate plastic.  Studies suggest that Bisphenol-A can leach into bottles and cups, which may have potential health consequences.  BornFree products may cost a little bit more, but the potential for added safety and a clean sippy cup cupboard are well worth the price.

If your child uses BornFree products, what influenced your decision to buy the products?

Got a cute kid?  Of course you do.  What mom doesn’t think her kid is simply adorable?  Go ahead then, skip on over to Skip*Hop or Babble for a chance to see your kid featured in a national Skip*Hop advertisement. 

Yet another important milestone has been reached in my household.  My toddler is now officially afraid of the dark.  Just because this fear is natural, doesn’t mean it’s an easy one to handle–for my toddler or me.  It’s distressing to see your little one afraid–and maybe even more so to know that all the reassurance you provide isn’t quite enough to forever quash the fear–that it will likely resurface again tomorrow night.  And once again, the bedtime routine will include combing the bedroom for monsters and “spooksie” things. 

At this age, being afraid of the dark is said to be completely normal.  The bittersweet part, though, is that this new fear signals that my toddler is growing up.  He’s coming to better understand the world around him.

Beyond listening to my toddler and acknowledging his fears, I find it useful to pull out two secret weapons:  a night light and a flashlight.  Ensuring a night light is plugged in is part of the bedtime drill now, as is giving my toddler a flashlight to bring along into the bed–apparently a flashlight makes hiding under the covers more fun.

What tricks do you have up your sleeve for helping children conquer their fear of the dark?

There is no doubt in my mind that having a child impacts friendships.  Some new moms discover that even the “best” friendships change once a child enters the picture.  Sometimes kids are the ultimate friendship breaker. 

Are kids really that powerful?  Absolutely.  A child usually changes our priorities and leaves us completely pinched for time.  Often friendships with childless friends are impacted hard.  As understanding as those friends may be, or want to be, you may both come to realize that you’re now operating in seemingly different, unfamiliar worlds.   

While some friendships will withstand the test of time, some friendships will inevitably crumble.  Friendships with friends who are understanding and flexible are probably more likely to hang around.   It’s sad to lose a friendship, especially one that was so important to us in our pre-baby years.  But there is a silver lining. 

With baby comes a new opportunity to expand your circle of friends–from “mommy and me” classes to PTA meetings, you’re bound to make a ton of friends over the years.  Keep in mind, too, children grow fast.  In time, you’ll have more time on your hands for greater scheduling flexibility to reconnect with your old buddies.

Don’t have time to catch up with your friend, let alone change your spit-up covered shirt?  Here are five quick ways you can let your friend know you’re thinking of her:

1.  Pick up a couple of postcards next time you’re out running errands.  Keep them next to your computer.  Next time you find yourself waiting for your computer to boot-up, grab a pen and fill one out!  Even if all you say is “Hi, I’m thinking of you,” you’re sure to make her day.

2.   Send an e-greeting card.  A number of companies offer free e-cards, including the big names like American Greetings and Hallmark. 

3.  Next time you have your cell phone in hand, snap a quick photo of yourself and send it to your friend, along with a quick “thinking of you” text message.

4.  Send her a small bouquet of her favorite flowers–doesn’t everyone appreciate a surprise visit from the florist?

5.  If your friend lives or works nearby, offer to meet her for a ”lunch walk”–bring along the stroller and keep your fingers crossed that junior will enjoy taking in the sights.     

What quick tips do you have for staying in touch with your pre-baby friends?

Gearing up for baby, eh?  If hip is your style (like it is for daddy celeb Hugh Jackman), add something Babylicious to your baby shower wish list, like Babylicious Bedding.  As featured on Parents.com, Canada based Babylicious offers fresh and groovy nursery products, like changing pad covers, sheets, and “fringe” crib bumpers which eliminate the “should I or shouldn’t I bumper the crib” question. 

Oh, in case you’re wondering what’s so cool about “fringe,” let me tell you.  Instead of using a controversial traditional bumper that ties alongside the crib rails, “fringe” ties to the top and hangs like mini flags for an ultra chic look. 

If you like funky, unique designs (think, Zutano), you’re going to fall head over heels in love with Babylicious.  But you don’t have to take my word for it.  Parents.com, celebrities, and baby-Wise’s own Kimberly, also think Babylicious rocks. 

Autism disorders affect roughly 1 in 150 U.S. children.  A child is diagnosed with autism in the United States every 20 minutes.  Fresh news brings hope to those statistics. 

Researchers have “identified two separate genetic defects linked to autism, one that directly causes the disorder in about 1% of cases and a second that may play a role in a much larger percentage of patients by increasing their susceptibility to environmental or other genetic influences.”

Thanks to the Internet, parents have thousands of resources to look at for education about “autism spectrum disorders” and support, like blogs written by real parents journaling about their experiences parenting children with autism disorders. 

To learn more about autism or to get involved with autism awareness initiatives, go to Autism Speaks.

The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a voluntary recall of “BabyTown” Pacifiers, which are imported by Shims Bargain Inc. of Los Angeles, CA.  The pacifiers were sold at Dollar stores from March 2004-December 2007.

According to CPSC, the pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards for several reasons:  pacifier size, ventilation hole size and placement, and lack of appropriate warning instructions.

No injuries have been reported. 

For more information, check out the CPSC News Release.

As far as I’m concerned, a mother can never have too many mom friends.  Frankly, I’m highly suspect when someone says they don’t need anymore friends.  Over the course of parenthood, friendships inevitably come and go. 

There’s simply no guarantee that the girlfriend you met at a “mommy and me” class is going to stick around for the long haul–and just because you share a friendship doesn’t mean your child will also want a friendship with the other child.  Parenting has a terrific, although slightly gut wrenching, article that drives this point home.

Since becoming a mother, I’ve begun to amass a steadily growing network of mom friends.  While I wouldn’t say that every friendship earns the earmark of ”BFA” status, each friendship is special and as unique as the friend herself.  For example, the bond and discussion I share with C* is completely different from that shared with S*.  C* loves to spend our play dates outside, talking exclusively about all things baby.  S* on the other hand, loves to shop and talk about…well, everything non-baby.

Mom friends are more than emergency babysitters.  Mom friends can help ease the lonely, frustrating, scared, or sad moments of parenthood, and share in the happy ones, too. 

When I first became a mom, I remember a time when I wondered, “gee, now that I’m a mom, how do I find ‘mom’ friends?”  Three babies later, I know that finding friends is actually easier than it seems–probably the most challenging part is getting to spend time with them once you become friends (and what mom doesn’t need “girl time” or a mom’s night out)!

New friendships can surface in the strangest places and when you least expect them.  The pediatrician’s waiting room.  The park.  The grocery store.  The library.  Starbucks.  Your child’s school.  Your health club.  Online.

I think the key to finding new friends is being receptive to the possibility of new friendships.  Smiling at a mom, offering to help a mom when it’s apparent she needs a hand, or starting a conversation with a mom are often simple keys to opening the new friendship door. 

Sure, it’s not always easy or comfortable to make new friends, but it gets easier the more you try, especially when you come to realize that underneath it all, there’s not a mom out there who doesn’t need a friend.

What’s the “strangest” place you’ve met a new mom friend?

Kiwi, the Magazine with the “Growing Families the Natural and Organic Way” slogan, has just released a special report, What Moms Want—The Definitive Me-Time Study.

The study reports that “Personal time (79%) and couples time (78%) are the top two activities for which moms feel they do not have enough time.”

Sounds like Kiwi’s right on.  I definitely lack “me” time–as do nearly all of my mom friends.  And, when I actually have ”me” time, I either find myself wondering how I’m going to entertain myself for that precious period of time or wind up watching the clock, wondering how much “me” time is left–not because I’m eager for it to end, but because I don’t want it to!

As for couple time, I hate to ask, but what’s that?  Tell me where to sign up for it, and I’ll be there.

So, Moms, are you satisfied with the amount of “me” time you get?