Siblings: Trying to make life normal after the second baby arrives
Newborns, Pregnancy & birth, Siblings
One of the hardest parts of transitioning from a one-child family to two children is realizing that you have utterly and completely rocked your first child's world. Though you understand everyone is going to be just fine in the end, it doesn't make that sometimes rocky transition period any easier.At a recent visit to the community pool, I saw something that surprised many of the parents around me. A mom was sitting in the paddling end of the coolish pool with her three-year-old daughter and what appeared to be a very, very new baby. After splashing their feet for a while, the mom took her child (in a life jacket) and the baby to the deeper end of the pool, where the infant slept through being submerged to her chin and splashed by her little sister for a good half hour or more, with no shade from the hot sun.
"Friends" could be heading for the big screen
When we last left the Friends crew, Rachel and Ross had reunited, and Monica and Chandler had just learned they were about to become adoptive parents -- to twins. Phoebe got married, and Joey was... well... still being Joey. It seemed like a good ending to the decade long series, but with the recent success of Sex and the City's big screen debut, rumors are swirling that the Friends cast may be reuniting.When we met them, they were all 20-something singles trying to get a handle on life and love. But by the time the finale came along, though, there were marriages and babies and a focus on a more domesticated life. I'm curious what angle they will take. Will they pick up where they left off? Or will it be a Friends: Four Years Later sort of thing?
How do you define patriotism?
Beyond hot dogs and fireworks, have you taught your child the meaning behind Independence Day? I'll admit that I haven't even started. We have our Fourth of July traditions, but even my older daughter has only the vaguest grasp on what the holiday is all about.One of our traditions is meeting our in-laws in a town in between ours and theirs for a road race early in the day. My husband's brother is a runner, and he does a 10K there every year. This year, he and my husband took our girls in the 2K fun run as well. As we stood watching the runners go by, a group of racers carrying flags and wearing t-shirts emblazoned with "support our troops" went by. The crowd went wild as they passed, and my older daughter asked me, "Why are they clapping for them?" Not the most perfect place for a civic lesson, but I did my best.
CNN asked their readers to share their own thoughts on patriotism today, and the responses are interesting. I'd like to go one step further and ask ParentDish readers: How do you teach your own children about patriotism and what traditions do you have that help teach your kids more about this holiday?
FLDS women start online clothing store
Money & work, In the news, Shopping & recalls
School shopping is just around the corner. If you're looking to dress your daughters in long prairie dresses and long underwear, then I have just the site for you.When the 400-plus children of the Yearning for Zion ranch were removed by child protective services earlier this year, the sect's clothing was a major topic of conversation in the media. The enterprising women of the FLDS are building on that attention and have started their own website, where parents can buy princess dresses, overalls, and long underwear for the whole family.
The website started as a way for child protective services to clothe the children in their custody, but is now being turned into a business to help mothers pay bills related to their legal battles. Many have been advised not to return to the ranch, and are having to pay for rent and utilities.
Portuguese police may close Madeleine McCann case
The story of little Madeleine McCann, taken from her bed in the middle of the night while her parents dined at a restaurant nearby, reached every corner of the globe after her parents launched a massive publicity campaign in their attempts to find her.Sadly, however, despite their efforts and the efforts of Portugal police, Madeline is still missing a year later. The Portuguese police have filed their final police report, and once that goes to the prosecutors office, the case may be closed.
Though I know very little about police work, I have to imagine that authorities giving up the search for their daughter has to be a devastating blow for the McCanns. Sources close to the family say that the McCanns will never give up looking and hope that, if the case is officially closed, the police will hand over the vast amounts of information they have gathered to private investigators.
Are Brad and Angie using body doubles?
Pregnancy & birth, Bump watch, Celeb parenting
When Angelina Jolie was admitted to a Nice hospital recently, under observation until her twins are born, the paparazzi went into high alert. Like over-eager puppies, however, they appear to be ready to snap at anything. When a pregnant woman -- an Angelina body double, maybe? -- waved to them from Angelina's hospital room, their shutters clicked and the headlines announced that Angie was "showing off her baby bump."Only two problems with that scenario. One, Angelina is hardly the type of celebrity to lift up her shirt and bare her belly to photographers. Two, the picture looks nothing like Angelina.
I'm sure that being one of the most famous and most recognizable couples in the world makes it difficult to have a private and intimate birth experience. Rumor has it that Brad and Angelina lied about their August delivery date, and maybe using a stand-in is just one more way to keep the world out of their business while their twins get on with the business of being born.
Finding a safe sleep surface for baby
Newborns, Health & safety, Sleep
Sleep is an issue for any new parent. Not only are they not getting any, but where in the world is the baby supposed to sleep? Co-sleeping is either ideal or dangerous, depending on who you talk to. Putting the baby in a crib in their own room just adds distance between you and a crying baby in the middle of the night, meaning you have a much greater chance of crashing into doorways in your sleepless stupor.The AAP has changed their recommendations over the last few years. Though they still don't support co-sleeping, citing the fact that half of all infant deaths catergorized as sudden and unexpected happen when babies share a sleeping surface with adults, they do recommend room sharing, where parents and baby share a room, but not a bed.
Parentdishing with Crock-Pot mom Stephanie O'Dea
Eating & nutrition, Medical conditions, Playground bureau, Mealtime
Do you know what's for dinner? Mom and blogger Stephanie O'Dea does, and chances are she's cooking it in one of her five Crock-Pots. In January of this year, Stephanie made a New Year's resolution that she would cook at least one meal a day using a Crock-Pot. Not only has she stuck to her commitment, she's created a blog to share her experience and her recipes. A Year of CrockPotting (misspelled to catch the Google searches) details her menu hits (Original Crock-Pot Taco Soup) and misses (Overnight Quinoa and Brown Rice Pudding).Stephanie's resolution recently caught the attention of famous kitchen diva Rachael Ray, where Stephanie got a chance to show her stuff. The show will air July 23rd, where she'll show Ray's viewers how to make Crock-Pot creme brulee. I had the opportunity to talk to Stephanie this week about her experience on the show, as well as her year of Crock-Potting and she had a lot of good stuff to share with ParentDish readers.
DailyDish: Clean sandy feet with baby powder
Headed to the shore for a day in the sun? Here's a trick to prevent bringing the beach back home with you.
Michigan mom carries twins for daughter
Newborns, Pregnancy & birth, In the news, Weird but true
How far would you go to help your child have a child? A Michigan mom recently showed the world exactly how far she would go when she gave birth to her daughter's twins.Crystal Sirignano, 52, gave birth last week to two healthy children, a boy and a girl. Crystal's daughter, Kendra, and her husband Aaron Simpson, struggled with infertility for years before turning to surrogacy. Though they were both hesitant at first, Crystal ended up being a healthy and helpful candidate. She moved from her home in Goodrich, where she owns a fitness center, to Arizona to be near her daughter and struggled with all the usual pregnancy symptoms at an age when pregnancy is the last thing on many women's minds.
