Pregnancy Eating: What's Safe, What's Not

The one time you're actually supposed to eat more -- and now it suddenly seems like every food is off limits. This article from Parents.com, gives the final word on which foods to skip and which ones are A-OK during pregnancy.

Juicy Couture - Left Bank Lovely Hooded Romper

New at AtterdagKids.com! Start Spring out right with Juicy Couture's Left Bank Lovely Hooded Romper in Frosting (light pink) with multi scrolled floral print. Made with 100% Cotton Stretch French Terry with signature "J" pull tab and "Juicy" embroidery on left chest and center back. Ruffle trim on hood, shoulders, and pockets. Also includes Banded waist with tie details and puffed short sleeves.

See more details by clicking here.

Signs of a Happy Baby

You probably learned the signs (and sounds) of an unhappy newborn early on. But the signs of happiness can be more mystifying. Baby doesn't even hit the first true happiness milestone, smiling, until after the first month!

Here's how to tell if your tyke is feeling fine.

Cach Cach - Heavenly Hearts Snappie

Today’s Cach Cach is known best for its use of rich fabrics, textures that are visibly soft to the touch, charming dimensional motifs, and of course, whimsical animal characters. Check out the latest from Cach Cach - the Heavenly Hearts Snappie. This beautiful piece features a soft mesh skirt with raised hearts. The large ruffled heart has a sweet ribbon rose in center. This piece is machine washable and was made in the USA.

Click here for more information on this piece and other designer pieces from Cach Cach.

Is It Okay to Snoop on Your Kids?

A show of hands please: Who hasn't looked through her kids' things -- opened a tempting e-mail, rifled through school papers, maybe even peeked at a diary entry or two?

And now you can add to the mix all the ways kids give and get info -- between texting, e-mail, and social networking sites, tweens and teens can have dozens of so-called friends, connections, and plans you're clueless about. For parents, technology offers multiple ways to monitor what's going on. But how can you keep close track of their lives without violating their trust?

Read the full article.

Kate Mack - Hula Rose Terry Coverup

Nowhere else in the market place can little girls find such princess-worthy swimsuits and coverups! With sparkly embellishments and tons of pizzazz, Kate Mack's swimsuits, coordinating cover-ups and flip flops have left both retailers and the public wanting more.

Featured here is our cotton blend, pink terry coverup by Kate Mack. Check it out today!

Be sure to check out the matching swimsuits from Kate Mack.

Routines for a Happy Baby: A 5-Step Guide

As a new parents, you're no doubt feeling overwhelmed and out of sorts. How do you really know when Baby should eat? And when do you put your little one down for a nap? Establishing schedules can help.

Here's how to establish a peaceful and effective routine for you and Baby.

Kissy Kissy Jamming Gators Collection

New from Kissy Kissy! Be sure to check out the adorable Jamming Gators Collection. These high quality pieces are made with 100% Pima Cotton - you can't get any softer!

Check out this fun collection today.

5 Big-Kid Discipline Dilemmas - Solved!

You probably thought there couldn't be anything more exasperating than a toddler's bedtime tantrums or public meltdowns. Now you realize: Those were the easy days. At least your 15-month-old wouldn't scream "You're the worst mom ever!" when denied a new pair of jeans.

The school years bring countless joys, but the increased defiance that sneaks into your child's repertoire isn't among them. Back talk, sarcasm, sibling manipulation, elaborate excuses for avoiding chores - these pose no shortage of tests to your parenting skills and your patience.

So what's a frustrated mom or dad supposed to do? Read on.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! Look What's New from Beetlejuice London

This English Rose Sleeveless Dress from Beetlejuice London is picture perfect for a garden party! The beautiful piece features a layered twirl skirt accented with embroidered roses, lace and floral trim and side-ties. 100% Cotton.

Check out today at AtterdagKids.com.

Kids Today

What is state of kid's lives today? Children's Health Magazine screened, evaluated, measured, and assessed the juvenile landscape. Below are some of the findings.

• 73 million Number of tykes, tweens, and teens scampering around the United States
  
• 74 Percentage of children who are breast-fed at birth
  
• 7 Number of bonus IQ points they could rack up from the experience
  
• 3 years, 1 month Average age at which kids hang up their Huggies
  
• 79 Percentage of kids who have a sibling to help double-team Mom and Dad
  
• 10 and 13 Ages of siblings at which the fights are likely to be the most ferocious
  
• 3 Average age at which kids meet their first true best friend

Read the full list!

Kissy Kissy Bubble Buddies Collection

Featured here is a new offering from Kissy Kissy. This, from one of their most recent lines, is the Bubble Buddies Short Playsuit. All of Kissy Kissy's lines are made with high quality, 100% Soft Pima Cotton and each piece is comfortable, stylish and sure to please anyone who receives or wears them.

AtterdagKids.com has many more of Kissy Kissy's latest offerings online at AtterdagKids.com, so check them out today.

Is your child's food allergy real?

Food allergies are often misdiagnosed, leaving many parents needlessly worrying about dangerous reactions and painstakingly monitoring food, said Dr. Leonard Bacharier, director of pediatric allergy and immunology at Washington University School of Medicine. "It's a big, ugly issue. We deal with it every day."

A key reason, he said, is many parents rely solely on the results of blood or skin tests, which are increasing in use because of easier access. Blood tests measure IgE antibodies, chemicals present during an allergic reaction. Skin tests involve measuring hives that result from pricking the skin with food extract.

But experts agree blood and skin tests are not reliable. Read the full article.

Little Maven Palm Springs Resort Butterfly Tee

Get ready for Spring with Tori Spelling's Little Maven Palm Springs Resort Butterfly Tee. This comfortable and stylish Tee is made with 100% Cotton and machine washable.

Check it out, as well as our other pieces from the Little Maven line by clicking here.

Score Better, Stress Less: Prepping Your Kids for School Tests

Are your kids hit with a wave of panic on test days? They may get butterflies in their stomachs, or maybe their heads fill with negative thoughts like, "I'm going to flunk," or "I'm so dumb." And when they sit down to actually take the test, their minds go blank.

With today's high-stakes testing, those jitters are affecting even the youngest kids. And make no mistake, test-related anxiety can be costly to their academic success. Here are some ways to help your kids prepare--and stay calm.

For the Cool Kid: Charlie Rocket Brown Guitar Tee

Exceedingly well made in the USA, Charlie Rocket is a California Lifestyle inspired collection created with the adventurous spirit of youth for Boys and Girls who want to express their Individuality. This Charlie Rocket Brown Guitar Tee is made of 100% Cotton.

Check it out today!

Soothe Your Baby

Your baby is crying and cranky (hmmm, you are, too), so you rub her back and belly—having read so much about the calming effects of infant massage. But with a little more stimulus, that massage can really do wonders in soothing your infant.

Fussy, stressed infants who receive massage plus “multisensory stimulation,” including talking, singing, eye contact and rocking, show lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, according to research from the University of Illinois at Chicago. But babies who receive massage without other interaction or no massage show increased levels of cortisol—and stress.

Read the full article.

The Perfect Halter Dress - Kate Mack’s Copacabana Dress

This pink Kate Mack Copacabana tiered tulle halter dress is perfect for any spring/summer beach or pool outing. Kate Mack has generated feverish craze for the cutest swimwear and cover-ups under the sun. With sparkly embellishments and tons of pizzazz, the swimsuits, coordinating cover-ups and flip flops have left both retailers and the public wanting more.

Check it out today!

6 Ways to Boost Baby's Emotional Development

When you think of milestones in the first year, walking and talking come to mind as the major ones. But there are a host of emotional milestones from birth on that will affect your baby's lifelong ability to learn, overcome frustration, and trust other people. Parents will be happy to know that the things baby needs to get a solid start in life are very basic and totally within our control -- no fancy gadgets, classes, or videos required!

Read the full article.

Look What’s New: Baby LuLu - Pepper Toes Car Romper

Really, can you get any cuter than this Romper?

Baby Lulu is a leading label that has brought beautifully designed and carefully crafted children's apparel to market for over a decade. Unsatisfied with fabrics that didn't embody her vision, designer Erin Murphy took inspiration from vintage tablecloths and textiles and designed the fabrics that would become her signature, applying new, trend-savvy color palettes, and combining them in fresh ways. She then created patterns that emphasized proper fit and Baby Lulu was born. Featured here is the Baby LuLu Pepper Toes Car Romper, made with 100% Cotton.

Check it out today at AtterdagKids.com.

Baby Napping Basics

Naptime at our house used to be a recurring mystery: When would Lucy go down today? I'd be on the lookout for clues and remain suspicious through dim lights, books, and droopy eyelids. When I could no longer stand the suspense, I'd plop her in her car seat, where she'd anticlimactically drift off like it was no big deal. I knew Lucy should be napping in her crib, but she hated to, so I was willing to do whatever worked. Thank-fully, sleep experts say this isn't all that bad. "There's no one way to get your baby to nap, so you have to try lots of different things," says Mary Ann LoFrumento, M.D., a pediatrician in Morristown, New Jersey, and the author of Simply Parenting.

If you've ever experienced naptime drama, read on for mom and expert help.

Just in time for Easter: Kissy Kissy Carat Bunny Line

Have your little one dressed right for Easter! Kissy Kissy's Carat Bunny line features an adorable rabbit and carrot themed print. All items are made with high quality, 100% Pima Cotton.

Check out the Kissy Kissy Carat Bunny line at AtterdagKids.com today.

Tips for safe bathing

Bath time can be a fun, special time to share with your toddler. It's also a time for caution, though. The first and most important rule is this: Never, ever leave your toddler unsupervised, even for a minute. Children can drown in less than an inch of water. Gather all of the supplies (soap, towel, etc.) you'll need ahead of time. And if the doorbell peals or the phone rings, and you feel you must answer it, scoop your child up in a towel and take him with you.

Keep these bathing tips in mind to keep your little one safe while he gets squeaky clean.

Juicy Couture Boys Coverall Gift Set

AtterdagKids.com is now carrying the latest from Juicy Couture for kids. The Juicy Couture Boys Coverall Gift Set includes 100% Cotton Coverall, Hat, and Booties in Light Blue with Skull and Bones, packaged in a Keepsake Box. This would make a GREAT gift – wouldn’t you love to receive it if you were having a baby boy?

For more information, click here. By the way, this item qualifies for free shipping in the U.S.

Paging Dr. Oz: His five favorite health tips for parents

Besides heart surgery, my great professional passion is working with a group called HealthCorps—a program that places energetic, healthy young people in high schools, where they help students live better, healthier lives. Its message stresses mental resilience and the notion that even kids have the power to control their bodies and the world around them.

My wife, Lisa, and I have tried to impart that message to our own four children, and I stress it to my viewers on The Dr. Oz Show. We parents have to be role models. I've distilled what I've learned along the way into these five ultimate health tips for kids.

Baby Vision: What Your Little One Sees

All of your child's other senses -- touch, taste, smell, and hearing -- are ready to go at almost full power at birth. But vision takes some time to develop. For instance, months will pass by before your baby can see in color. For now, she sees in only black, white, and gray. And eye movements are pretty uncoordinated at the beginning, which means a newborn's eyes might move independently of each other. As your baby grows, her eyes will get stronger.

Read on to find out when and what she sees, plus how to keep those baby blues healthy.

Post-Holiday Sleep Recovery: 5 Tips for helping your kids rest up

December was a whirlwind. You shopped up a storm, performed magic in the kitchen for your houseguests, went to all of the holiday parties, drank your share of the wine and watched the ball drop. What’s left? Picking up the pieces! With the close of the holiday season comes a stark reality: You’re due at work on Monday and your family is off-schedule, tired and cranky.

If you’re lucky, getting back to your normal routine will be a piece of cake, with just a little nudge. But for many of us, it will be a week or more before our little ones snap back to the norm.

This article presents some quick guidance on recovering from the holidays.

Beautiful Baby Search 2010

We think all babies are beautiful, but we're looking for one to appear on the cover of Parenting magazine and be crowned the LIVE! with Regis and Kelly Beautiful Baby Search winner 2010.

• The winner will appear on the cover of Parenting Early Years, and LIVE has partnered with Gerber to provide the lucky boy or girl with $125,000 to be used toward a college education.
• In addition to the top prize, LIVE and Gerber will award an additional $100,000 to be divided amongst the four runners-up, to be used toward a college education.
• 10 semi-finalists will receive fabulous prizes from Gerber.The contest begins January 5, 2010, and deadline for entries is January 29, 2010.

To enter, click here.

She’s a Mom First

Before Michelle Obama became First Lady, she was a working mother married to both her career and an ambitious guy. Does that juggling act sound familiar? In an exclusive interview with children's health, she reveals what works at her house. It just might help out at yours, as well.
Read the full article.

New Blog Review From 'Sugar Pop Ribbons'

I love to shop for children's clothes at boutiques. I love checking out the new designs as well as looking through all of the styles the store has to offer……More

Tips on making New Year's resolutions

New Year's resolutions offer the promise of a thinner, nonsmoking, debt-free, more organized you. But when it comes to enacting change, our pledges are often as meaningful as Tiger Woods' wedding vows. That's because resolutions require action plans - without them, they're nothing more than wishes. There it is in a nutshell: Resolutions take work.

For a little motivation on your vow for a fresh start, this article offers suggestions from a few experts who make a living at helping others meet - or exceed - expectations.

Post-Holiday Cleanup: Best Hints

Do you, as many of us do, dread the thought of cleaning up once Christmas is over? These undecorating tips will help make the process faster and more pleasant. Ornaments, lights, decorations – they are all discussed!

Read the full article.

4 Post-Christmas Organizing Tips

As if the long cold winter ahead isn't punishment enough, you've got a major bummer of a job putting away all those decorations. To the rescue: our Mom Squad organizing expert Kathy Peel, author of The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home, with tips on how to un-deck your halls and store your stuff so you can find it when you want it next year.

10 Lessons from a Veteran Mom

I'm a mother of three and far enough away from those infant years to look back with...well, I'm not sure I'd call it wisdom. More like 20/20 hindsight. I guess I can hope to put my lessons learned to good use in my next life. In the meantime, I'll do what so many of us veteran moms do: try to warn the women going through new parenthood right now about some of the mistakes I made.

This article presents ten things I wish someone had told me the first time around.

Kissy Kissy – Florette and Party Time Collections

New collection posted at Atterdag Kids!

Kissy Kissy Florette Collection 100% Pima Cotton Hat.  Made in Peru.
Florette

Part Time!

Jamie's Precious Peas Review

 

Atterdag Kids Clothing – Countdown to Christmas

Atterdag Kids has the capabilities and style to outfit your child from head to toe. They did exactly that to my girls. Myself and my children were nothing but impressed with the selection and quality from Atterdag. ….More…

 

Working Mother: Detox Your World

When we think air pollution, we think outdoors. But the chemicals in everything from beauty products to food to furniture mean the air inside can be worse than outside. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranks indoor air quality—in our homes, cars, workplaces and schools—as among the nation’s top five environmental risks to public health. So how do we clean it up? We make healthier choices for our family and the planet.

In this article, we clear the air by cutting through marketing lingo to help you make confident choices when buying the essentials.

Out-of-the-Box Gift Ideas for Preschoolers

It doesn’t take much to get pre-schoolers jump-up-and-down excited. (Think about the thrill they get from telling that same “knock-knock” joke over and over again).

The trick is keeping them excited. If you want holiday hits that will hold their attention long after the out-of-the-box newness wears off, you’ve come to the right place. This article presents 12 of the most awesome, keep-them-giddy gifts you’ll find anywhere.

How to Buy Safe Toys

This holiday season, don't grant your kids' wishes for the newest, coolest toys until you know they're safe. With new product recalls almost daily, trouble with lead-tainted toys from China and studies showing that certain chemicals may be harmful to children, choosing safe and healthy toys can be a daunting task.

So we're here to help you stay vigilant about toy safety. Before you buy, double check that the toy you're considering meets these safe shopping guidelines.

Baby Development Myths Every Parent Should Know

Grandparents, friends, and society flood parents with well-meaning advice, but how can Mom and Dad be sure they are receiving accurate information? With help from Dr. Andrew Adesman and his book "Baby Facts", this article separates baby myths from reality.

Boys vs. Girls: Who's Harder to Raise

I often say that I spend more time and energy on my one boy than on my three girls. Other mothers of boys are quick to say the same. Not so fast, say moms of girls, who point out that they have to contend with fussier fashion sense, more prickly social navigations, and a far greater capacity to hold a grudge.

Stereotyping, or large kernels of truth? Read the full article.

Great Expectations

There's nothing quite like the emotional juxtaposition of pregnancy. On one hand, you’re thrilled, elated and impatient; on the other hand, you may feel anxious about a million unknowns. As you balance these competing emotions, we have one word for you: Relax. The most important thing to keep in mind is this: Most pregnancies turn out absolutely fine. Women’s bodies are designed to carry children safely and effectively. That doesn’t mean everything will be smooth sailing on this journey, but it does mean that the odds are greatly in your favor. If you can learn how to maximize your chances that nature will run the course it’s supposed to, then you increase those odds even more.

Of all the things we want you to learn, two of the most important involve things that you may have never spent much time thinking about: epigenetics and the placenta.

Read the full article.

Maternity Jeans

Now that your regular jeans no longer fit, you are ready to buy maternity jeans. Maternity jeans come in several different styles with varying waste types. You will want to try on several different styles to find the best fit for you.

Learn more!

Toys that Last

We always want the best for our babies, but these days—more than ever—the best needs to fit the budget. That’s where Working Mother comes in: We’ve scoured the 2009 holiday season toy market for playthings that will give you the most bang for your buck. Priced from $15, all of these toys—from stacking cups to a 3-in-1 wagon—will keep your little one learning and playing for years.

Read the full article.

Baby's First Thanksgiving Recipes

Make Baby's first Thanksgiving one his taste buds will never forget. This article puts a baby-friendly spin on eight traditional holiday foods, many of which are probably already on your grocery list. Pick a few of your favorites for the big day or make them all and freeze the extras for later. Even babies love Thanksgiving leftovers!

Read the full article.

Is It Autism? First Signs & Important Treatments

In the beginning, Lance seemed like a typical baby. He smiled, sat up, and walked. "He could say about five or six words, like 'mama' and 'dada,'" says his mother, Stacy Strombeck-Goodrich. "He hit all of his milestones right on time."

So the Gilbert, Arizona, mom was perplexed when at about 18 months, Lance, now 3 1/2, started sliding backward. "He got really quiet. Not just no words, but no babbling, no sounds at all." Other skills evaporated too. "He wasn't pointing or waving bye-bye anymore," she says. When Lance stopped responding to his name, his mom had his hearing checked. It was fine. Strombeck-Goodrich was stumped -- until she saw a TV report that made her wonder if Lance was autistic. A specialist soon confirmed Lance's diagnosis. "To hear somebody actually say 'autism' was shocking," Strombeck-Goodrich says.

Lance is among the 1 in 150 U.S. kids who will be diagnosed with autism by age 8. What does being autistic mean? Is there a cure? Here, answers to tough questions.

7 Exercises to Prepare Your Body For Pregnancy

Working out is one of the best things a woman can do for a healthy pregnancy—it not only benefits the baby, but it also gives you strong core muscles that help prevent back and hip pain.

Starting to exercise before you conceive is ideal, since you’ll be able to continue throughout pregnancy (with your doctor’s okay, of course). But if you don’t have a regular exercise routine in place before getting pregnant, then you shouldn’t jump into one during your first trimester. Most healthcare practitioners generally advise women not to start a new exercise regime within the first 12 weeks of getting pregnant.

Try these seven moves to help create a stable pelvis well before getting pregnant. And by starting now you won’t need to worry about losing a whole trimester of core and hip strengthening.

FitPregnancy: 2009 Flu Season Tips

Flu refers to illness caused by a number of different influenza viruses. The flu can cause a range of symptoms including high fevers, headaches, sore throats, muscle aches, dry cough, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Public health experts continue to warn that the 2009 H1N1 virus (aka swine flu) has the potential to cause widespread, serious illness—even death.

Pregnant women are more susceptible to serious compli¬cations from infection with all types of influenza viruses, including the 2009 H1N1.

Read this guide to getting through the Flu season.

Interrupting: 6 Ways to Get Your Child to Stop

Kids interrupt for many not so good reasons. A child may interrupt because he likes being the center of attention or because of bad manners or impulsiveness. Youngsters interrupt because they are wired to believe the world centers around them. However, by seven years old, it's reasonable to expect your child to find a polite way to ask for your attention.

Read this article to learn 6 ways to get your child to stop interrupting.

For the Working Parent: The Easiest Way to Do (Almost) Everything

Being a working parent means multitasking, squeezing every minute from a day, pleading with our bodies to fall asleep fast so we can wake up early and find that extra hour. But hold on there, warns Samantha Ettus, mom of two, author and TV correspondent. It isn’t about working harder, it’s about working smarter. The trick is to decrease time spent on what’s mandatory and increase time spent on what’s enjoyable.

The tricks and tips adapted from her latest book, The Experts’ Guide to Doing Things Faster, will help you glide through life’s to-do list, so you can get on with, well, life.

The Eco-Friendly Nursery

Decorating the nursery can be exciting, emotional, and… eco-friendly.

Keep in mind that as babies’ immune systems are developing in the early months of their life, they are more susceptible to their environment and could have a harder time handling toxins.

This is not just about living green – it’s about creating the safest, healthiest, most non-toxic environment possible for your children.

Read the full article!

What to Do When Baby Gets Sick: 7 Solutions

My son has always been a happy, easygoing kid. But at 4 months, Samuel was really cranky for a few days. I called the pediatrician's office, and the nurse said it sounded like teething. That, though, didn't seem right, so I asked to come in for a doctor's take. I felt awkward. After all, I'd been a mom for a fraction of this nurse's career. Who was I to second-guess someone with so much experience?

What I didn't consider was that I'd developed my own expertise on Samuel. I could differentiate his feed-me wails from his cuddle-me whimpers and his I'm-so-sleepy sobs. Turns out, he wasn't teething. He had an ear infection, one we were able to catch and treat early.

Indeed, parents can help docs diagnose properly. Follow this guide to common childhood illnesses, how to treat them, and when to see the doctor.

10 Things to Know About Potty Training

Oh, how time flies. Could your child be ready to potty train? This ten-step guide from Parents Magazine will get you started on the right track and help you and your little one find potty training success.

The first step? Wait until your child is ready. Read more about all of the steps.

Halloween Trick or Tears

As Halloween stretches its creepy claws toward us again this year, a terrifying array of sights and sounds is just waiting to scare the daylights out of your baby. Ghosts wail from drugstore aisles, goblins howl from front lawns, and strangers lurk about in spooky costumes. For some kids, the whole thing can be extremely distressing. What's a mom to do?

Read this article on how to soothe babies on the spookiest night of the year.

No texting at dinner! Parenting in the digital era

We all know teens love their gadgets — more for texting than talking. But the devices are posing some new challenges for parents. How can they teach their tech-savvy kids some electronic etiquette? So far, parents are learning on the fly, imposing new rules for their young offenders such as "no texting at dinner."

Read the full article.

5 Mood Boosters for New Parents

Having a baby changed your life. There is nothing quite as exhilarating. But learning how to take care of him, while coping with sleep deprivation and postpartum hormones, can lead some first-time parents to feel less than joyous.

If you're experiencing some post-baby blues, check out these five tips to help you get through the first few months of your baby's life, and your new life, a little more happily.

Baby Names That Drive You Crazy

It seems to get crazier each year, as parents strive to distinguish their baby by giving it a name that makes your head turn twice. In this article, they surveyed iVillage community members to share the wackiest baby names they've ever heard.

Here's a sampling – read on!

Half of babies born in rich world will live to 100

More than half of babies born in rich nations today will live to be 100 years old if current life expectancy trends continue, according to Danish researchers. Increasing numbers of very old people could pose major challenges for health and social systems, but the research showed that may be mitigated by people not only living longer, but also staying healthier in their latter years.

The study showed that by 2050, its population will be substantially older and smaller than now -- a situation it said was now typical of rich nations.

Read the full article.

How to have a green pregnancy

Going green for your baby -- even before birth -- is an easy way to make eco-friendly living a permanent part of your lifestyle, says Jennifer Taggart, who wrote "Smart Mama's Green Guide. " And it's well worth it. Soon after conception, toxic chemicals absorbed by the mother through breathing, eating or skin exposure can harm fetal development.

In this article, Taggart offers four tips to protect your child and the planet.

Disney FamilyFun's 18th Annual Toy of the Year Awards

In homes across the country, toothbrush robots vibrated, rockets shoe skyward, plush pets frolicked, and all manner of playthings were put through their paces. Disney's FamilyFun magazine testers assessed quality, value, and the fun factor of more than 375 toys to create a list of 30 kid-and-parent-approved winners.

View the top 10 winners!

Money-savers for the new arrival

The ultimate joy of a new baby can be tempered by worry in an economic climate like this one. In this article, Erica Sandberg, a personal finance expert and author of Expecting Money: The Essential Financial Plan for New and Growing Families, presents strategies to help working new moms survive and thrive.

Handmade Halloween Costumes

Halloween is quickly approaching! Don't get caught last minute without a costume. For some whose budgets are tight, consider getting crafty! Steal stuff from the garage, your kitchen, and the recycling bin to make the way-creative (and totally simple) costumes outlined in this article.

Kanye, Miley, Serena and More: Talking to Your Kids About Celebrity Faux Pas

Last week was fraught with celebrity screw ups. How do we, as parents, make sure our children don’t emulate the poor choices their role models might make? Better yet, can we turn a negative episode into a positive lesson?

Here are some recent celebrity faux pas and the teachable lesson that can be gleaned from them…from one mother to another.

Playing Favorites

We're all guilty of going through phases of favoring one child over another. But what are the lasting implications of our behavior? In this article, a mother of twins, for whom favoritism is a constant, nagging issue, shares her wisdom.

Coping with empty nest when the kids clear out

What can parents do when children leave the nest? The house is suddenly quiet, the vibrancy of children gone. The days seem empty without soccer games, school plays and bake sales. The job you've been doing every day for 18 years is over.

This article presents tips on how to cope when the kids clear out.

The (Swine) Flu Stops Here

Your child, husband or roommate is down with the flu, be it seasonal or swine. You’re okay… for now. But you know how quickly the flu virus can spread through your household, with new victims getting infected just by touching a contaminated object, like a door knob or telephone, and then touching their face. Can you care for the sick while keeping yourself and other family members safe from infection?

Yes, you can. This article presents how.

Recycled Crafts

So art projects probably don't have a huge carbon footprint, but wouldn't it be nice to turn all that stuff you have lying around into cute little collectibles for your kids?

This article features three easy trash-to-treasure ideas they can help with.

Avoiding Colds - The Best Ways to Protect Your Baby

Cold viruses flourish in winter—and the more everyone is indoors, the less likely it is that virus-containing particles will blow away. Infants are especially susceptible to the common cold because they haven’t developed resistance to most of the viruses that cause them. That’s why the all-time No. 1 cold-prevention strategy—washing hands frequently— is especially important for all baby-handlers to keep in mind, and that’s true even if no one around your baby has the sniffles.

Read the full article.

6 Ways Sleep Keeps Kids Healthy

Losing half an hour of sleep may not seem like much, but regularly missing that amount over two years added up to increased feelings of depression and lower self-esteem among a group of eighth-graders, according to new research from the University of Massachusetts. Sleep loss is normal as kids enter adolescence, but it's a good idea to keep an eye on their shut-eye -- losing too much could take a toll on kids' mental health over time.

Read the full article!

5 Ways to Pack a Healthier Lunch

The new school year has arrived and it the perfect time to start packing healthier lunches for your kids. Need some ideas?

Read this article and find out how to give your child's lunch an extreme — and deliciously nutritious — makeover.

How to Advocate for Your Child and School

It's that time again - yes, back to school is upon us! This time of the year can bring its own set of challenges in the classroom.

Maybe you think your child’s special needs aren’t being met, or the school budget doesn’t have room for music classes. Whatever your concern, there’s a lot you can do, even with a busy work schedule.

Read the full article.

Your kids or mine?

As parents face reduced work hours, lower wages, layoffs and uncertainties stemming from the recession, a growing number of families are turning to babysitting swaps to reduce what they pay local teenagers and college students to look after their children.

To be sure, parents have partnered to share the load of child care for years, but the economy has broadened the appeal. Traditional babysitters say business is down and some offer to work for lower rates to encourage parents seeking savings during the recession to use their services. But co-op costs can be hard to beat.

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How to Lose (or Hide) Your Mommy Tummy

No matter how many miles you've walked, how many diets you've tried, or how long it's been since giving birth, that extra bit of flab on your belly, which arrived along with your baby, doesn't seem to want to budge. Sound familiar?

That's why we've gathered these simple ways to reclaim your pre-pregnancy stomach, once and for all!

Dinner Strategies: Get Me to Wednesday

Having a stash of well–chosen, prepared staples in the fridge can go a long way toward consistently getting food you're proud of on the table. The right meal leaves you with the makings for enough unfussy, fresh-tasting dinners (or lunches, or snacks) to last you the next few days without ever feeling like you're eating the same meal twice. So while the coals are hot, grill up some extras. And once Thursday rolls around, you'll have earned the right to order Chinese takeout.

Best Ways to Break the News You're Pregnant

You're pregnant! Now comes the fun part. How will you break the BIG news? The possibilities are endless!

Forget about a phone call -- here are some of our favorite ways real moms shared the news.

Middle-income family spends $221,000 to raise baby

It's no secret that raising children can be expensive, but how about nearly a quarter of a million dollars expensive? A government report released Tuesday says a middle-income family with a child born last year will spend about $221,000 raising that child through age 17.

The report by the USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion identified housing as the largest single expense, followed by food and child care/education costs. The $221,000 in expenses rises to about $292,000 when adjusted for inflation.

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Your Baby's Teething Timeline

One night last fall, as I tried every trick in my repertoire to get my cranky, drooling 1-year-old daughter to go to sleep, I realized something: Teething is nature's idea of a practical joke. Think about it. A baby's first tooth usually comes in somewhere between 4 and 8 months, just after you've finally gotten her to sleep through the night. In my case, we had a few months of peaceful slumber before Molly began cutting her first tooth. When she started working on her molars, I was back to pacing the floors, bouncing her around, and frantically searching for the Tylenol -- for both of us.
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Height Predictor: Calculate Your Child's Adult Height

Grow, baby, grow! This height calculator uses a popular formula that takes genetics into account to predict how tall your child will be as an adult. Keep in mind that this formula can only provide an estimate of how tall your child will be. Here's how it works:

1. Enter the mother's height, the father's height and the sex of the child.

2. Click "Calculate" to find out how tall your child will become.

Try the height calculator now!

Happy budget birthday to you

When Chris and Brian Gesme of Wildwood, Mo., asked their daughter what kind of party she wanted for her fourth birthday, Lauren had a surprising answer. She wanted her friends to come to grandma's house and ride their bikes on the driveway. Her parents offered her big, fancy parties they've done before, like a Chuck E. Cheese bash, but Lauren remained true to her idea, adding that she would like face painting, too.

Now, Lauren may simply be a sweet little girl with simple taste, but she's also unwittingly picked a party that's very in-the-moment. Forget the over-the-top, rented limos and lavish parties for tots. That's so 2006. Homemade, simple birthdays on a budget are back.

A Guide to Your Kids' Online Hangouts

Wondering where your kid has been lately? Check with their virtual persona -- the avatar. Most likely you'll find them at one of these four popular playgrounds outlined in this article.

Baby Skin Care

Almost nothing is quite as sweet as the scent of a freshly bathed baby. Yet, you may have heard that some ingredients in personal care products may be anything but sweet. Because no pre-market government approval or testing is required of cosmetics (a broadly defined category including makeup, lotions, some soaps, shampoos and deodorants), virtually anything can be put into them. And, since manufacturers are not required to disclose the individual contents of every ingredient on product labels, it can be difficult for consumers to make informed choices. So just how worried should you be?

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Pool Safety for Kids

There are about 260 drowning deaths of children younger than 5 each year in swimming pools. About 77 percent of the victims had been missing for 5 minutes or less when they were found. Precious time is often wasted looking for missing children anywhere but in the pool. Since every second counts, always look for a missing child in the pool or spa first.

Parents may think that if their child falls in the water, they will hear lots of splashing and screaming, and that they will be able to come to the rescue. Many times, however, children slip under the water silently. Even people near or in the pool have reported hearing nothing out of the ordinary during drowning incidents.

Visit this link and get valuable information on pool safety for your kids.

Family game nights encourage generations to bond

Economic woes are challenging families like this to find inexpensive entertainment options. Others are looking to get away from electronic gizmos and reconnect. For many, an old-fashioned family game night is the answer.

A recent survey commissioned by Hasbro found that 48 percent of Americans believe game nights are the best type of family bonding. Games solidify relationships and create special memories, and are an ideal way to get different generations together.

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Solve Your Baby's Sleeping Setbacks

The sun rises and sets each day, winter invariably gives way to spring, and every April, Uncle Sam comes a-knockin'. Unfortunately, your child's sleep habits aren't likely to follow such a predictable pattern. One day your angel is dreaming through the night, then for the next two weeks she's bawling like crazy at 2 a.m.

There are dozens of reasons why sleep habits can veer from perfect to problematic. Find out more by clicking here.

Summer safety: Don’t leave your child in a hot car

It may only take a few minutes to park your car and run into the supermarket to buy a gallon of milk. But the next time you park -- even if it’s for “just a minute,” don’t leave your child in the car. Sunlight and heat get trapped inside a parked car, and in direct sunlight on an 80-degree day with no ventilation, the temperature can rapidly reach up to 131 degrees, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). In just 10 minutes, a child’s body temperature can go as high as 106 degrees F, leading to damage to the brain and vital organs, heat stroke, dehydration, seizures, and death.

According to Consumer Report’s Safety blog, six children this year already have died in overheated cars. In one case, a child died after his father forgot he in the back seat and left him in the car all day. The temperature outside was only in the 60s, but reports say the air in the car topped 100 degrees.

Follow these Consumer Report important tips from the ACEP to keep your child safe.

Wes and Willy – Atterdag Kids

Wes and Willy makes boys clothing for kids 6 months to 14 years old. Their casual clothing is made from quality natural fabric, prewashed, and garment dyed. All which serves to create durable, comfortable boys wear in classic styles.

Internet Safety for Kids

MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter can help teens connect with friends — but can leave them vulnerable to bullying and worse, too. While it may be tempting to simply ban your child from using social-networking sites, a better strategy is to work with him to help him make smarter decisions online.

This article presents how to keep your kid safe online.

Camp Care Packages for Tweens and Teens

My son sent a single postcard home his first time at sleep-away camp."Send a juggling ball and fun toys," was just about all it said.

This year I pledge to send the best camp care package ever, including not one, but three juggling balls, which seems like the right number if you actually plan to juggle. But what else qualifies as a "fun toy" for a kid in middle school or high school?

Here are some ideas for what to send tweens, teens and teenage counselors at sleep-away camp.

6 Fresh Prenatal Fitness Trends

When your mom was pregnant with you, chances are she wasn’t running, pedaling a stationary bike or doing ball squats. Back then, doctors worried that exercise might harm the growing baby and discouraged pregnant women from breaking a sweat.

But the medical establishment has done a 180. In a development that might surprise your mom’s OB-GYN, researchers are discovering that prenatal inactivity—not exercise—is what puts moms-to-be and their babies at risk.

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How to Protect Baby's Hearing

Just after birth, your baby's ears should be in almost perfect working order. But in some cases they're not, and that's why experts say we should listen up from the very beginning. If your baby has undiagnosed hearing loss, it can trip up his speech development and lead to later struggles in school if, for example, he can't hear a teacher's voice above the buzz of classroom activity.

In this article, learn more about spotting problems and helping your baby's hearing.

Tweens and Eating Issues

Eating disorders are dangerous at any age, but when one isn't recognized in a child, or when treatment comes too late, the effects can be catastrophic. Children have a lower percentage of body fat, which means they get much sicker much faster than adolescents and adults. And because their bodies and brains are still developing, the most severe cases can permanently affect their development -- limiting growth potential, damaging vital organs (particularly the heart, kidneys, and brain) -- even when the eating disorder is eventually successfully treated.

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www.MyOrganizedChaos.net

New review and giveaway for Atterdag Kids post at www.MyOrganizedChaos.net.

Bedrooms Built for Two

Whether you need to save space or just want to promote sibling bonding, shared bedrooms are sure to see lots of late-night giggle sessions, secret jokes -- okay -- even the occasional tiff. But, as Winnie the Pooh told Piglet, "It's so much friendlier with two."

This slideshow provides several ideas of how to set up Bedrooms Built for Two!

Kissy Kissy Ba Ba Sheep

Kissy Kissy Ba Ba Sheep collection has been posted and is available at Atterdag Kids website.

9 Sure-Fire Ways To Fight the Summer Reading Slump

Are you aware of that kids can lose an upward of three month's worth of reading progress during this summer break? The famous "summer reading slide" is well documented and shows that learning declines in all kids during these lazy, crazy days, but especially in reading. Kent State education professor, Timothy Rasinski , points out that this can mean a loss of one-and-a-half years of reading achievement through the sixth grade!

But don't despair. The reverse is also possible. Reading just a few books before school starts can save kids from the summer reading loss. Studies also show that parents play a crucial role particularly on their older kids' reading attitudes and behaviors, as well as helping to find the right book to capture their interest.

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Learning Letters, Numbers and Colors

Toddlers are eternally curious about the world around them -- wanting to touch, play with and ask questions about everything they see. How can parents to channel this boundless inquisitiveness into learning? Of course, toddlers don't need to be subjected to structured learning at such a young age. But with a little mindfulness, you can teach your youngster how to begin to recognize letters, numbers and colors in the course of everyday play.

Here, the parents of iVillage - the #1 gathering place for parents online - share their tips for teaching toddlers in a relaxed, fun way.

Your Complete Guide to Playdates

Kids like to hang out with their pals. Parents need a break. Hello, playdates! If things go well, they can be a blast for everyone. They're also one of the key ways your child learns how to get along with others.

This article presents tips for both hosts and guests, to get your protocol down pat.

Recession uproots families, takes toll on children

Like the Great Depression, this economic downturn is wrenching lives out of shape.

But unlike 90 years ago, hunger isn't the main problem, and neither is the kind of homelessness that sent thousands of middle-class Americans into tent cities during the Depression. This time the toll is far less obvious: children are grappling with more stress at home, and low-income families, already highly mobile, are being forced to pull up stakes and move more often.

Educators and demographers say frequent moves can lower school performance and increase chances that students will drop out of school. It also makes it more difficult to provide appropriate resources to children who have learning disabilities and behavioral issues.

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What to Eat for Your Growing Baby

The foods you eat during pregnancy can boost your baby's health and help keep you in tip-top shape through your delivery day. Read on about why these nine super-mama foods made our list (some may surprise you). Plus, learn easy ways to incorporate them into your diet -- we've got you covered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

When Grandparents Provide Childcare

Grandparents are more than just babysitters. They spend many hours with their grandchildren each week. They’ve gotten to know these children very well. And they have become guiding forces in their grandchildren’s lives. These grandparents aren’t technically raising their grandchildren, but they are doing important work. They are passing on family traditions, serving as trusted role models, and helping to nurture a whole generation of children.
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