Last night I had an opportunity to attend a Mom’s night out event sponsored by Graco.  Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I took a couple of hours to unwind and have pure fun like I did last night.  I actually dressed up and wore heels for the first time in ages! 

At the party, the terrific Graco Reps displayed the brand spankin’ new Graco Newborn Soothing Center–the World’s Only Newborn Soothing Center.  If only this product had come out just a few months earlier, I would have purchased it for my little one.  Instead, I bought the Fisher-Price Butterfly Garden Baby Papasan Swing, which my baby loves–and as far as baby products go, it’s eye candy…simply beautiful.

Wow!  The Graco Soothing Center is truly incredible.  It’s designed to simulate a mother’s motion, with adjustable seating that allows you to custom tailor a position to your child’s unique preferences.  For example, if your child has reflux and needs a particular position, you can actually tweak the position–happy baby, happy mom! 

If only Graco would make a “grown-up” model.  Hey, Graco, what do you think?

The latest news in the baby naming world is that unusual is the new ordinary.  According to data collected by a web site for expecting and new parents, the top 5 names of 2007 include:

For Girls:  Sophia, Isabella, Emma, Madison, Ava

For Boys:  Aiden, Ethan, Jacob, Caden, Jayden

Your turn:  If you’re expecting, do you plan to give your baby a top baby name of 2007? 

Iowa Caucus.  New Hampshire Primary.  Election 2008.  Republicans.  Democrats.  Vote.  Ballots.  Inauguration.  Policy.  War.  Social Security.  Taxes.  Health care.  Budget cuts.  Reform. 

Children are bound to take in an earful of political buzz words this year.  After all, children hear–and absorb–much more than parents often realize.  Talking with children about politics, in an age-appropriate way that makes sense to little ears, can help demystify some of those buzz words, as well as encourage creative and critical thinking.  Talking about politics can also help children get a stronger grasp on the world around them.

Here are some tips for talking with your children about politics:

1.  Choose your words carefully, especially the *bad* ones.  Instead of name calling, explain to your children what you like or dislike in a political candidate or his/her political stance.  Help your child understand how you arrived at your viewpoint.

2.  Talk about core values and beliefs.  Discuss what matters most to you.  For example, if fairness and kindness are fundamental, discuss how they play into politics and your own views.

3.  Talk about winning and losing.  Explain what it means if a candidate wins or loses.  Discuss the implications of that win or loss. 

4.  Keep in mind the age of your audience.  The way you explain politics depends on age.  A conversation about politics with a five year old simply isn’t going to be the same as the one you have with a teenager. 

Talking about politics isn’t always easy.  But teaching kids that they can talk openly with you about politics and values may just help them realize that they can talk with you about life’s difficult topics.  That’s something both you and they will surely come to appreciate as they grow up.

“Wow, exercise is so much fun!”  Those are the words my preschooler uttered when we finished a “run” around the block.  I couldn’t agree more, especially when exercise involves my children. 

As a mom of three, I know that finding time for myself during the day is a rare event–certainly too rare to steal time for a predictable exercise routine.  At least, so I thought until I realized that exercising with my children is entirely possible with a little planning and the right equipment.  For me, planning includes integrating a walk or run into ”afternoon outside playtime”–and setting aside appropriate fitness clothing sometime during the day, so I have fewer excuses to get moving.  Equipment includes good walking/running shoes, but most importantly the double jogging stroller.  I pack my two youngest into the stroller–who usually fall into a deep sleep as soon as I get going–and my preschooler walks or jogs alongside me.

While I know my preschooler gets the bulk of her enjoyment from the energy release of moving about, we add more fun to our exercise activities by engaging in fun conversation (think, “I Spy” games on the run) and learning activities (like shouting out directions, “left” or “right,” and steering the stroller together in the direction called).  My enjoyment comes from knowing that I’m doing something good for “me” (yeah!) and for my children, while spending quality time with them.  Thanks to my children, I’ve learned that exercise really can be so much fun!

While chaperoning a recent school field trip, I was surprised at the number of chaperone dads in attendance.  As it turned out, several of them were stay-at-home dads or work-at-home dads.  When it comes to caregiving, stay-at-home dads are stepping forward in record numbers to take on the primary caregiver responsibility.  But just because men are increasingly trading in day jobs for diaper duty doesn’t mean that the job is easy, especially when it comes to finding support. 

Sure, there are support groups out there, like playgroups and ”mommy and me” classes.  There are even a few dad only groups sprinkled here and there depending on geography.  However, it’s still not unusual for a dad to find himself the only male attending parenting groups.  Sorry, dads, but truth be told, women continue to shoulder most of today’s child care, and they are still more likely to be the parent who stays-at-home. 

The good news, though, is that the Web is chock-full of terrific resources for stay-at-home dads–and aspiring ones, too–like stay-at-home dad blogs and online meet-up groups.  Dads can even find stay-at-home dad group and playgroup maps. There are also informative ”stay-at-home dad” books on the market, such as The Stay-at-Home Dad Handbook and “dad only” discussion boards. 

Of course, there are also products that make “Dad duty” even more attractive, like the Skip Hop Via Messenger Diaper Bag.  Oh, by the way, speaking of dads (stay-at-home or not), you might be surprised to know how much men appreciate toting around diaper bags that reflect their own style!  Talk about a great gift for “Dad” or the father-to-be–and one that let’s him know he can count on you for support in the parenting adventure!

The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (”CPSC”) has announced a recall of metal red toy wagons (model number MH1250), which are imported by Tricam Industries of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

The wagons were sold at Tractor Supply Company stores from September 2002 through November 2007. 

According to CPSC, “Surface paint on the wagon bucket contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.” 

No injuries have been reported.

For more information, check out the CPSC News Release. 

For Christmas my daughter wanted a horse.  Not a real one, but one of those FurReal ”Butterscotch” robotic ponies seen at Costco and Target over the holidays.  Besides the fact that I could envision a life-like pony scaring me silly at unexpected times–like during the night when checking on my sleeping child with its motion activated sounds or movement–a pony of that size would have taken up too much space. 

As it is, I already have to make room in our shrinking house for two other large stuffed horse toys–thank goodness there haven’t yet been any requests for a Pleo Dinosaur.

Until children came along, I didn’t realize that houses really have the power to shrink in size!  As children and toys accumulate, I’ve discovered that maximizing space is a necessary evil.  Good organization is key.  Regular de-cluttering is essential–although that’s sometimes really, really difficult, especially when it means throwing out or donating precious stuff.

When a bigger house or new addition isn’t practical, possible, or even a smart idea, there are simple ways to make your space work for your family.  Here are some ideas to get you started.         

1.  Hit the closet.  Add shelving, closet storage organizers, or other neat organization accessories, like a Prince Lionheart Closet Cubby.

2.  De-clutter.  Do you need those jeans you haven’t worn for three years?  Do you need to keep that board game which is missing a bunch of pieces? 

3.  Go for storage.  Opt for furniture or toys with built in storage or shelves.  For example, pick ”trundle” drawer storage, such as KidKraft’s train table trundle drawers, or under-bed storage baskets.

4.  Tune-in.  Check out popular television networks or websites, like HGTV, for small space living ideas.

With some creativity and discipline, it is possible to find comfort in a shrinking home!

Expectant and new parents have a lot to think about–beyond booties, diapers, and nursery gear.  Like naming the baby. 

For some, selecting a baby name is seemingly simple.  Others agonize for months.  There are plenty of tales about ”nameless” babies, and stories about parents not being able to leave the hospital with their new bundle of joy until they selected a name.

According to recent findings, when it comes to baby naming, baby-name remorse is not uncommon.  Even parents who spend a significant amount of time researching or thinking about baby names can come to experience name doubt.

Have you experienced baby-name regret, or are you worried about baby-name remorse?  How did you deal with the situation?