Filed under: Just for moms, Pregnancy & birth, Mommy musts, Shopping & recallsUnfortunately, morning sickness is a way of life for many pregnant women. The truly unlucky ones have afternoon and evening sickness to go with it. While there may be little you can do to avoid that bit of unpleasantness, there is something you can do to make it a bit more fun. Okay, maybe not fun, but your regular upchucking ritual can be stylish and good-looking with Morning Chicness Bags.These compact, disposable bags are just like the ones you get on an airplane, but way prettier. Available in six colorful designs, the bags sell in packs of 10, 20 or 50. Buy the largest quantity and that's only 55 cents a puke! Touted as a preferable alternative to vomiting in strange toilets or smelly garbage cans, the bags have a leak-proof lining and a closure clip. Even if you aren't pregnant, these could come in handy if you have a carsick-prone child. Plus, imagine the compliments you will receive when you relieve your troubled tummy into a bag that perfectly accents the green tones in your skin! Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Newborns, Health & safety, Weird but trueSo you're driving along, enjoying your day, perhaps thinking about your destination when, suddenly, a baby carriage appears before you. You hit the brakes as hard as you can in a desperate attempt to stop in time, but it's no good -- you hit the carriage. You jump out of the car to help the infant but, luckily, there is no baby. You watch as a woman calmly walks up, picks up the stroller, and walks away, without uttering a word.It's then that you feel the press of cold hard steel in the middle of your back and hear a voice tell you to hand over your wallet. Perhaps you briefly consider playing the hero -- making a distracting comment ("what's that?"), spinning around, and grabbing the gun, but you quickly realize that the way it would play out would be a bullet in your gullet before you even had a chance to turn around. So you hand over your wallet and get a whack on the noggin for your cooperation.It might sound like a bad detective novel, but that's what really happened to a man in Pennsylvania. Now, I don't think one shouldn't stop for babies or get out to help if there has been an accident, but I do think it behooves us to remember that criminals are not above using children to get what they want and if a situation seems at all wrong, don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 immediately. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Fun & activities, Mealtime Welcome to Dishing it Out, ParentDish's weekly food column. Katie Workman lives in New York City with her husband and two boys, Jack and Charlie. By day she is the Editor-in Chief of the recipe website Cookstr.com. You can read all of the Dishing it Out posts here.The white food black hole. I feel your pain. This usually translates into "my kid will only eat starch and carbs: pasta (maybe with butter, but no sauce), rice, french fries, some Kraft mac and cheese, and assorted and sundry chips and snack-y items. And the occasional bite of pizza and a chicken nugget."Dear readers, I may ruin our blossoming relationship here. I know well the dinnertime struggles ("One more bite of broccoli! Two more bites of chicken!") but I have to say to you -- to all of us -- suck it up, and serve real food. Here's the thing: Fritos and fried chicken taste great. They taste great to kids, and they taste great to us. But if we wean our children on a diet of starch and fried things, we don't really have much right to expect them to suddenly discover asparagus on their own."Well, good for you, Ms. Healthy Food Blogger from New York. You come stand over my kid and force him to shove down a brussel sprout." No, you're right; easy to say, not so easy to do. I'd love to hear your best tips for kid-pleasing healthy meals. Here are some eclectic tips from my arsenal.Continue reading "My Kid Will Only Eat White Food!" Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Health & safety, Eating & nutritionA Massachusetts school bus driver recently evacuated a bus full of children to protect them from danger ... a stray peanut that had fallen on the floor. If that seems like overkill to you, you aren't alone.Though peanut allergies have increased by 17% in the last 10-12 years, experts aren't sure whether the incidence of allergies are on the rise or if more people are getting tested and diagnosed. But either way, Americans seem to be developing a case of peanut fever.It's fairly common these days to find nut-free classrooms, lunch rooms, or even entire schools, but over at Time, they're asking the question: Have Americans gone nuts over nuts? Consider the statistics -- of the 3.3 million suffering from peanut allergies in the United States, 150 die each year. And while that's 150 too many (especially if it's your child), one has to wonder if our fears are a little overblown.Continue reading Peanut Allergies - Have We Gone Too Far? Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Kids 8-11, Teens & tweens, In the newsBack in my own school days, there was a kid everyone referred to as Tank. The nickname was a play on his last name and a comment on his enormous size. Another kid was called Pep. As in pepperoni-pizza-face. I didn't know either one of these kids well enough to know if they were bothered by these nicknames, but according to at least one expert, being teased by your classmates in this way is a good thing.Psychologist Erin Heerey says that this type of name-calling should not be confused with bullying and that teachers should let it be. "If everybody's smiling there's no reason to step in and stop it," said Heerey. "The children are learning about social norms and how to interact with each other."In addition to teaching children communication skills, Dr. Heerey says that being called names can encourage behavior changes and help kids bond with one another. She backs her theory up with the findings of a study she conducted at University of California, Berkeley. Looking at teasing in fraternities, she found that the "victims" of such playful humiliations formed better friendships with their peers and later went on to assume leadership positions in the real world.As a result of her findings, Heerey is convinced that we would all benefit from a little more teasing -- not just at school, but in the workplace as well. "It's absolutely essential in building teams. In my workplace people engage in these teasing, bantering, off-record comments all the time. It allows people to get along and build better relationships with one another."I wonder what Tank and Pep would have to say about that. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: In the news, Weird but truePolice are scratching their heads over what to do with a 4-year-old Jackson, Ohio boy who shot his babysitter after the 18-year-old caretaker stepped on the child's foot.Nathan Beavers was minding the boy in his grandmother's mobile home when the shooting took place. Beavers says that after he accidentally stepped on the boy's foot, the enraged child announced he was going to get a gun. Crazy Kids Arrests Brothers Fight, One Gets ArrestedWhat sounds like a stupid (but typical) scuffle between two hot-headed, 12-year-old brothers led to one of them getting picked up by police for domestic battery. Teen Arrested for Farting at SchoolFlatulent teens, take note: If you pass gas in class, you may be apprehended by police. At least that's what happened to one Florida teen who eeked out a couple of nasty toots before being hauled away by law enforcement. Arrested for Serving SaltThis sounds ridiculous -- at first. But when this 16-year-old seasoned mom's dinner with salt, it might as well have been poison. Her mother has a number of food allergies, and would've died had no one been there to inject her medication. Racy Prom Dress Gets Teen ArrestedYou say potato, I say poh-tah-to. She said "prom dress," school officials said "thin strips of fabric that barely cover your nipples." This young woman's dress left so little to the imagination that she was picked up by police! 7-Year-Old Nearly Locked Up for Riding Dirt BikeAfter alleging that the young man had ridden his dirt bike on the sidewalk, police handcuffed the boy and took him down to the station -- where they took his fingerprints and mugshot. Best of all, apparently the bike wasn't even turned on when cops yanked the kid off of it. Smooth guys, real smooth. 5-Year-Old 'Cuffed Over Kindergarten TantrumThree officers found it necessary to bend the unruly child over a desk and handcuff her while she screamed for them to stop -- which did wonders for their image in the community. Cops Break Teen's Arm in Arrest Over Dropped CakeThis 16-year-old dropped some cake during lunch and did an average job cleaning up the mess. For some cops took the teen's lackluster approach to cleanliness as justification for arresting her -- and breaking her arm in the process. 10-Year-Old Cuts Her Sandwich With a Knife...and Breaks the Law?The rules for splitting sandwiches are apparently more rigid than you might think. At least that's the case in one Florida school where a "no tolerance" policy led to felony weapons charges against a 7th grader who was just trying to eat her lunch. Teen Arrested for Creative Writing AssignmentThe teacher encouraged this straight-A student to reveal his emotions on paper -- so he did. And then he got kicked out of school and arrested for "disorderly conduct." 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He then opened a drawer, took out a shell, loaded the gun and fired it at Beavers.Beavers sustained minor wounds to his arm and side, and was treated and released from the hospital. One other teen also suffered minor injuries.The boy is in the custody of his parents while cops figure out what to do about the incident. He may be too young to be charged. His father says the kid has seen adults fire guns before, but maintains that he was not aware that his son knew how to load and shoot the weapon. Counseling has been arranged for the young shooter.Wow, and I thought it was bad when the kid I babysat for hid my shoes. What's next? I mean, the guy just stepped on his foot. What would have happened if he had tried to make him take a nap or sit in the naughty chair? This just goes to show that A) kids are more prone than ever to violence at younger ages and B) you need to lock up your guns, people. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Image of the Day LookBook - Image of the Day Double LeanWe've all been there - trying to get our littlest tykes to sit upright for a photo. These cuties seem to be experiencing a domino effect! Thanks to Naasif and Kim for this adorable photo. Naasif and Kim Face OffIt's either you or me, Elmo. Only one of us gets the spotlight today. Looks like PAC 412's little one doesn't mess around! -- 1/5/2009 PAC 412, Flickr Little PeanutApprehension, Anticipation, Glee. Looks like Greg Gladman accurately captured many expressions of the holiday season. --12/31/08 Santa CutieHearts are aflutter over this little Santa! Thanks to Dhanny for this precious portrait. --12/30/08 Un-Merry ChristmasDon't worry little tot, the holidays are almost over. Thanks to ESnod for giving us a little sympathetic giggle this afternoon. --12/29/08 Christmas ReflectionsAmidst ornaments and gifts, this little one is learning the art of a quick peek. Thanks to Shayne Marie Casto for this beautiful photo. Shayne Marie Casto, Flickr Baby in the BubbleThis tot artfully photographed by BethLo surely won't bust your bubble. -- 12/23/2008 BethLo, Flickr A Total QuackAll I want for Christmas is this dilapidated duck. Thanks to VeerleCA7 for this addition to our Flickr pool. VeerleCA7, Flickr You Better Not PoutUh oh. What will Santa think? Photog G Stonebraker bets he will forgive an occasional precious pout like this one. -- 12/21/2008 G Stonebraker, Flickr Hear My Train a Comin'Looks like AmielLR knows someone who's pretty captivated by a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine. -- 12/18/2008 AmieLR, Flickr soKe.flace('parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day', '584', '577'); var uid = new Date().getTime(); var flashProxy = new FlashProxy(uid, 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/modtools/kit_swfpublisher_javascriptflashgateway.swf'); var flashvars = {}; try { flashvars.lcId = uid; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_w = '584'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_h = '577'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetDivId = 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetAds = 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.omniture_tracker = '0'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.adrefresh_wrapper = '1'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.appswfURL = soKe.fv('http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=443394&pid=443393&uts=1231256286'); } catch (Exc) { }; if (typeof(screen_name) != 'undefined') try { flashvars.userName = screen_name; } catch (Exc) { }; var params = {}; try { params.wmode = 'opaque'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.quality = 'best'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.allowscriptaccess = 'always'; } catch (Exc) { }; var attributes = {}; try { attributes.id = 'outlet'; } catch (Exc) { }; top.exd_space.refresher.ads2Refresh(new Array( 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day', new Array('93217847','300','250','0','I','') )); top.exd_space.refresher.iFrm2Refresh(new Array( 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day', new Array('Placement_ID', '1370711'), new Array('Domain_ID', '1079767') )); top.exd_space.refresher.mmx('parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/channels/ke_blank.html', ''); swfobject.embedSWF('http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf', 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day-swf', '584', '577', '8.0.0', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/swfobject/expressinstall.swf', flashvars, params, attributes); top.exd_space.refresher.launcher( 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day',{ dynamicSlide:[''], size:['456t'], photoNumber:['0'], title:['LookBook - Image of the Day'], numimages:['24'], baseImageURL:['http://cdn.compuserve.com/'], imageurl:['http://www.aolcdn.com/photogalleryassets/parentdish/442961/10609.jpg'], credit:['Getty'], source:[''], caption:['Double LeanWe've all been there - trying to get our littlest tykes to sit upright for a photo. These cuties seem to be experiencing a domino effect! Thanks to Naasif and Kim for this adorable photo.'], dims:['http://o.aolcdn.com/dims/PGMC/5/365/225/70/'], showDisclaimerText:[''], disclaimerText:[''], CSS_Title:['#f53d87'], CSS_Caption:['#5b544c'], CSS_Disclaimer:['#5b544c'], CSS_Container:['#ffffff'], CSS_Border:['#ffffff'], CSS_PhotoWell:['#bbe9e6'], CSS_photoHolder:['#ffffff'], CSS_Buttons:['#f53d87'], CSS_BtnOver:['#bbe9e6'], CSS_Scroll:['#ffffff'], topMargin:['21,22,365,225,408,269,0,0'] } ); If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll highlight an image every day. Remember: we're on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on our main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Teens & tweens, Fun & activitiesAccording to new research coming out of the University of California, Berkeley, many couples find themselves happier after their kids leave home than they were before. I guess most people thought the opposite -- that when the kids move out, parents find themselves with no purpose and nothing to do and are thusly not as happy with their situation.It turns out, however, that the opposite is true. It seems that couples are able to enjoy spending time together once their children are out of the way. One participant of the study explained that "Once the kids grow up ... there's some of that stress removed ... that responsibility removed, so things are a little more relaxed."Personally, this seems to me to be a "Duh!" kind of thing. Once the kids are off on their own, couples can concentrate on the things they like to do that don't involve kids -- like romantic get-aways, hobbies, and maybe even a bit of you-know-what (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).View Poll Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Pregnancy & birth, Weird but trueFor Lindsay Hasaj's unborn baby, life began with a multiple choice quiz. That's because Lindsay has two complete reproductive systems ... or two wombs. Because she's physically normal on the outside, the 27-year-old had no idea her about her one-in-a-million anatomy until she conceived. But an ultrasound revealed that not only was she carrying a healthy fetus, she was also carrying an extra uterus. Bizarre Births Mom, Unaware She Was Pregnant, Has Surprise Baby -- on Christmas!She never felt kicking, didn't notice weight gain, and even kept menstruating!Read More buzzybee on sxc Baby Born on London UndergroundUpon exciting the train, this woman promptly went into labor.Read More Suserl on sxc IVF Used to Beat Breast Cancer GeneIn a controversial procedure, this couple employed genetic screening to make sure breast cancer wouldn't be passed onto their offspring.Read More clix on sxc Ticketed on the Way to the Delivery RoomThey weren't only stopped and ticketed, the officer made the couple wait while he ticketed someone else.Read More woodsy on sxc Twins Born From Cancer Survivor's 13-Year-Old SpermHe froze his sperm while fighting cancer, so that one day he might be a father.Read More clix on sxc Woman Goes Into Labor During Obama's Acceptance SpeechSix days past her due date, this mom-to-be really wanted to attend the President-elect's acceptance speech in Chicago.Read More Getty Images Woman Gives Birth to Triplet GranddaughtersThis 56-year-old certainly went the extra mile for her family.Read More crashmattb on flickr Woman Conceives Triplets While on the PillThe contraceptive didn't just fail, it really, really failed. But fortunately it was a pleasant surprise for the mom-to-be.Read More thesaint on sxc 59-Year-Old Gives Birth to TripletsAt an age when many women are preparing to be grandmothers, fertility treatment gave this woman three babies of her own.Read More biewoef on sxc Japan's Oldest Surrogate Mother Carries Her Own GrandchildAt 61, this woman's age alone makes her story miraculous -- not to mention that she was giving birth to her granddaughter, and taking part in a procedure banned by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology's. 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"Having uterus didelphys halves the chance of falling pregnant. There is only a 50 per cent chance of the sperm fertilising via the vagina that is ovulating at that time," explains Lindsay's doctor.A close friend of mine learned during a c-section that her uterus is actually divided in half, and doctors discovered her healthy, full-term baby thriving in half the typical womb space. She felt both shock and wonder at the time, emotions I bet Lindsay and her husband Tony are feeling right now ... times ten.Gallery: Bizarre and amazing human anomalies Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Newborns, Pregnancy & birth, Eating & nutrition According to a new report, children who breastfeed have an edge over those who don't -- at least where their lungs are concerned. Kids who were breastfed for at least four months had stronger lungs than those who were bottle fed. The theory behind all this? Well, it's not the breast milk itself, per se -- although we have more than enough information on all the unique nutritive goodies in it. According to researchers, the act of suckling increases lung capacity. In the study, over 10,000 children aged ten were tested for lung function. Thirty-nine percent were breastfeed for four months or more, 40% were breastfeed for less than four months and 21% were bottle fed. Of those given basic tests, those who were breastfed for over four months had stronger lungs. I specifically recall my pediatrician telling me that breastfeeding is hard work for both the mommy and the baby, especially with newborns. It requires a lot of exercise that can wear the baby out. She was telling me this because it was important to get my little one up at night or not let her sleep too long during the day when it was time to breastfeed. So perhaps there is something to this theory after all. If the art of suckling is physical activity, then it would make sense that babies who engage in that activity would have stronger lungs. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Celeb parenting, Rumors, Special needsThe death of John Travolta's son, Jett, is stirring up a lot of controversy. While Jett's famous parents attribute his seizures to Kawasaki Syndrome, a rare lymph-node disorder, many who knew the 16 year old boy believed he exhibited signs of autism. Autism, a condition that afflicts half a million American children, also causes seizures in about twenty-five percent of cases. The Travolta's, however, are devout members of Scientology, and their religion would not have permitted them to acknowledge a diagnosis of autism or treat his ailments with medication (recall Tom Cruise, another famous Scientologist, and his feuds with Brooke Shields and Matt Lauer over the misuse of prescription drugs) As a result, there is already plenty of speculation that this tragic incident could have been avoided.Frankly, I don't know enough about autism or the very secretive and controversial world of Scientology to make any judgments; since an autopsy cannot determine whether a person has autism, we may never know. All I can say is that my heart goes out to this family. Clearly, they loved their son and based on the testimony of an EMT who was on the scene, were heartbroken and distraught at not being able to save Jett. In the past year, I have come to know of several people who have lost children, including a very close and dear friend of mine. It is one of the saddest things I have ever experienced. When we learn of someone losing a child, we can't help but think of our own kids and how fleeting and fragile our time with them is. I pray that those who have lost children will find the strength to go on and that the rest of us will honor their grief by gaining a deeper appreciation for the time we have with our own children. P.S. Here's my annual and traditionally late Christmas card. I sincerely wish you and your families a happy and blessed 2009! Though I cannot always answer all your comments personally, I read each and every one of them and absolutely love hearing from all of you (even if you have a bone to pick with me!). So keep them coming! Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Kids 5-7, Weird but trueConsidering the impulsiveness of their decision, it was to be a beautiful wedding. A German "couple" packed bathing suits and sunglasses, then headed to Africa to get married "where it is warm." The nuptials were interrupted when the lovebirds were stopped at the train station and promptly returned to their parents.Why? Because they were eloping at least 15 years too soon.Mika and Anna-Lena, ages 5 and 6, are "very much in love," and decided during a joint family holiday celebration that they wanted to seal the deal. So they grabbed Anna-Lena's seven-year-old sister (an official witness), packed their bags, then jumped on a tram. Had it not been for those pesky necessities like money and tickets, they may have gotten even farther. But the police at the train station got suspicious and brought them in.Can you even imagine? Once the shock wears off, their parents are going to be re-telling that story for years to come. When my godson was born just a month before my daughter, my friend and I joked that we should just start planning the wedding now. But even if these families saw puppy love developing between these intrepid tots, I'm sure they figured they had at least a few years before the kids made it official!Gallery: Most Bizarre Kids Stories of '08 Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Teens & tweens, Health & safety, In the newsGarrett Quedens, a 14-year-old from West Babylon, NY, died in the early hours of January 1 after spending New Year's Eve with a bottle of vodka. Garrett and a friend, also barely old enough to shave, passed out on a street just blocks from their homes in below freezing weather. The friend woke up. Garrett didn't. A memorial service on Sunday drew about 200 mourners, many of them young teens. "He touched all of your lives," said Deacon Michael from St. Martin of Tours Church in nearby Amityville. And ours. This is a dismal cautionary story to break any parent's heart.Let's talk for a moment about the alcohol. It was all-too-easy to get, thanks to two adults who were willing to purchase a liter of Georgi vodka for the boys for $10 plus another $10 for gas. "Give 'em life," Garrett's father Thomas Quedens raged. "Because I lost something that was most important to me." But there is much more to this sad affair than just the reflexive denunciation of two local idiots, both charged with a Class A misdemeanor. This tragedy also highlights a more personal, troubling issue that sends off alarms in my head as a mother to a 14-year-old boy: The dangers of letting my child go out on his own in a world with plenty of dangerous attractions. Alcohol yes, but consider also the cyberbully and other online predators. PRESS CONTINUE FOR MOREContinue reading NY Teen Dies After Vodka Party Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Newborns, Pregnancy & birth, Bump watch Former supermodel turned actor turned sexy mutant Rebecca Romijn has finally become a mommy! The Ugly Betty star, who at one point claimed she was ready to have the babies as she felt as big as a beached whale, gave birth to twin girls on December 28. In fact, Rebecca was so uncomfortable she had to skip pal Howard Stern's recent wedding and took to her bed long enough to make a hilarious video for Funny or Die. Fraternal twin girls Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip are named in honor of Dolly Parton and husband Jerry O'Connell's brother Charlie. Somehow I knew they were girls, but that seems to not be such obvious information. It is beleived that O'Connell made a recent crack about naming the girls Mary-Kate and Ashley. That would be hilarious! I heard just now that the names are Charlie and Dolly (after Ms. Dolly Parton) but am not sure that is true. Romijn tried in vain to become pregnant for a long time, ultimately opting to use Clomid, which I guess is a fertility drug, although she claims she stopped taking it several months before becoming pregnant with the twinsies. Hence, she and Jerry are claiming the duo were conceived of naturally. Hard to tell whether or not that's exactly true. Wouldn't it take a while to get something out of your system that affects your hormones? Whatever. I'm sure they felt the need to go on about that since practically every other celebrity out there has twins these days, via whatever means necessary. Truthfully, all I really have to say on the subject is that Jerry O'Connell is the luckiest man alive. Seriously. Gallery: Jerry O'Connell and Rebecca Romijn Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Newborns, Pregnancy & birth, Weird but trueI don't know about London, but here in San Francisco, people do all sorts of things on the street cars -- read, listen to music, work on their laptops, sleep, even dance. But as far as I know, no one's ever had a baby on a train or in one of the underground stations. Not so in London, England where the London Underground is the world's oldest and longest underground railway. In 1924, Marie Cordery was born at the Elephant & Castle station.Now it's starting to become a trend, with another baby born in a tube station. Julia Kowalska exited her train at Kingsbury station, after suffering from stomach pains during the ride. Once in the station, an ambulance was summoned and it was determined that she was in labor. When paramedics arrived, they decided she was too far along to waste time going to the hospital so Ms. Kowalska delivered her baby in a supervisor's office.Well, I guess if you're going to be born somewhere other than a hospital, the famous London Underground isn't too bad a choice. I suspect that kid will grow up to be a mover and shaker, just like the trains he was born with. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Just for dads, That's entertainment Will you be watching this season's offering of The Bachelor? No doubt you're aware of the series, which, with all its red roses allows a single guy to (hopefully) find the gal of his dreams, at least as far as reality television is concerned. Say what you will about the truthfulness of the relationships formed on the show, which along with sister program The Bachelorette has been on for what will be thirteen seasons, but if you'll recall the first bachelorette, Trista, met and married her man Ryan and they're still married, with two kids. Aww! This season's Bachelor, however, featuring Jason Mesnick, has a twist. That twist is Tyler, who happens to be the bachelor's son, and who is prevalent in the goings on of the show (at least what I can see from the ad promos). Not only is the Jason looking for true love, but also a mother figure for his son. Good luck with that one, ladies! I wonder if this means the show's producers are trying for more of a family feel to the programming--and by 'family feel' I mean less trashy sleeping around with all the contestants in hot tubs. I'm sure the addition of an adorable child was done no doubt to boost ratings. It also might just open the door to a new audience, like me, who are interested to see how all this business will play out when there is a child involved. Now, I know the whole thing with reality television being, well, not real, in a lot of instances. This concerns me as the child involved may not fully understand what's going on. What's more, he could be disappointed or saddened by the outcome--will Jason choose the woman that makes the best wife or pick the woman Tyler thinks is the best and therefore might be a better match? More to the point, is it all right to play with a child's emotions...on national television? So, are you gonna watch or what? I'll probably check it out, but will probably pass because I don't want to see a little kid get manipulated just to stimulate ratings. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Image of the Day LookBook - Image of the Day Face OffIt's either you or me, Elmo. Only one of us gets the spotlight today. Looks like PAC 412's little one doesn't mess around! -- 1/5/2009 PAC 412, Flickr Little PeanutApprehension, Anticipation, Glee. Looks like Greg Gladman accurately captured many expressions of the holiday season. --12/31/08 Santa CutieHearts are aflutter over this little Santa! Thanks to Dhanny for this precious portrait. --12/30/08 Un-Merry ChristmasDon't worry little tot, the holidays are almost over. Thanks to ESnod for giving us a little sympathetic giggle this afternoon. --12/29/08 Christmas ReflectionsAmidst ornaments and gifts, this little one is learning the art of a quick peek. Thanks to Shayne Marie Casto for this beautiful photo. Shayne Marie Casto, Flickr Baby in the BubbleThis tot artfully photographed by BethLo surely won't bust your bubble. -- 12/23/2008 BethLo, Flickr A Total QuackAll I want for Christmas is this dilapidated duck. Thanks to VeerleCA7 for this addition to our Flickr pool. VeerleCA7, Flickr You Better Not PoutUh oh. What will Santa think? Photog G Stonebraker bets he will forgive an occasional precious pout like this one. -- 12/21/2008 G Stonebraker, Flickr Hear My Train a Comin'Looks like AmielLR knows someone who's pretty captivated by a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine. -- 12/18/2008 AmieLR, Flickr KewpieWe're not going to lie- Kewpie dolls kind of freak us out, but we'll just have to get over it. This photo by Heartfelt is too cute. -- 12/17/2008 Heart felt, Flickr soKe.flace('parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day', '584', '577'); var uid = new Date().getTime(); var flashProxy = new FlashProxy(uid, 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/modtools/kit_swfpublisher_javascriptflashgateway.swf'); var flashvars = {}; try { flashvars.lcId = uid; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_w = '584'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.outlet_h = '577'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetDivId = 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.targetAds = 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.omniture_tracker = '0'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.adrefresh_wrapper = '1'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { flashvars.appswfURL = soKe.fv('http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=443394&pid=443393&uts=1231171012'); } catch (Exc) { }; if (typeof(screen_name) != 'undefined') try { flashvars.userName = screen_name; } catch (Exc) { }; var params = {}; try { params.wmode = 'opaque'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.quality = 'best'; } catch (Exc) { }; try { params.allowscriptaccess = 'always'; } catch (Exc) { }; var attributes = {}; try { attributes.id = 'outlet'; } catch (Exc) { }; top.exd_space.refresher.ads2Refresh(new Array( 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day', new Array('93217847','300','250','0','I','') )); top.exd_space.refresher.iFrm2Refresh(new Array( 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day', new Array('Placement_ID', '1370711'), new Array('Domain_ID', '1079767') )); top.exd_space.refresher.mmx('parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/channels/ke_blank.html', ''); swfobject.embedSWF('http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf', 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day-swf', '584', '577', '8.0.0', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/swfobject/expressinstall.swf', flashvars, params, attributes); top.exd_space.refresher.launcher( 'parentdish-parentdish_lookbook_image_day',{ dynamicSlide:[''], size:['456t'], photoNumber:['0'], title:['LookBook - Image of the Day'], numimages:['23'], baseImageURL:['http://cdn.compuserve.com/'], imageurl:['http://www.aolcdn.com/photogalleryassets/parentdish/442961/10509.jpg'], credit:['Getty'], source:[''], caption:['Face OffIt's either you or me, Elmo. Only one of us gets the spotlight today. Looks like PAC 412's little one doesn't mess around! -- 1/5/2009'], dims:['http://o.aolcdn.com/dims/PGMC/5/365/243/70/'], showDisclaimerText:[''], disclaimerText:[''], CSS_Title:['#f53d87'], CSS_Caption:['#5b544c'], CSS_Disclaimer:['#5b544c'], CSS_Container:['#ffffff'], CSS_Border:['#ffffff'], CSS_PhotoWell:['#bbe9e6'], CSS_photoHolder:['#ffffff'], CSS_Buttons:['#f53d87'], CSS_BtnOver:['#bbe9e6'], CSS_Scroll:['#ffffff'], topMargin:['21,13,365,243,408,269,0,0'] } ); If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll highlight an image every day. Remember: we're on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on our main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Toys & gamesA quest to brew a wheat-free beer led to a new toy that will bring happiness to thousands of kids whose gluten allergies prevent them from playing with Play-Doh.The Hasbro toy contains an ingredient -- and the company won't say what it is -- that aggravates wheat allergies. But now, thanks to a Purdue University junior, kids can get their hands dirty with Soy Doh. Prompted by a professor who mentioned that he couldn't drink beer because of his wheat sensitivity, student Sawyer Sparks and two others in the agricultural economics program tried to make a gluten-free beer. They mixed soy flour, gluten-free yeast and water, cooking it up on Sparks' stove.The result was most decidedly not beer, but instead the trio wound up with a substance that had a texture very similar to Play-Doh. Sparks, who already started his own alternative-fuel company, saw a great opportunity to market the stuff to parents of kids with allergies.Soy Doh comes in a dozen colors and smells like fruit or foods, such as root beer. The non-toxic, non-allergenic toy markets for about $2 a can, and Sparks has already sold "hundreds" of containers of it to schools. Because of the economy, Sparks has added some rice flour to his formula, but the toy remains safe for any kids who might have a wheat allergy.Now that's what I call ingenuity. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Holidays, Childcare, EducationBecause Christmas fell on a Thursday this year and because Christmas Eve has always been a day off, the superintendent and the school board in Howard County, Maryland decided to add two days to the beginning of winter vacation and give students the entire Christmas week off. Now, you'd think that would be a good thing -- two extra days of vacation and, because Chanukah started on the 21st at sundown, students didn't have to worry about going to school the next day. The school district saved money too by not having to fire up the heaters for what surely would have been two days of very little learning and a whole lot of holiday excitement.As the vacation winds to a close, however, some parents are not thrilled about the extension. "This has been a long one," said Janet Constantino, a mother of two. "Do you feel those extra days? You'd better believe it." The county's main library in Columbia has been feeling the effects of the extra two days as well, with the parking lot filling up and higher-than-expected noise levels inside.On the one hand, when I was in school, I would have taken any excuse for a day off. On the other hand, however, as a parent who has to scramble to find someone to watch my kids during vacations and on holidays, I can certainly understand parents' being disconcerted by two days of vacation they hadn't planned for. And on the other hand (doesn't every parent have three hands?), if I were a stay-at-home parent, I would definitely welcome the opportunity to spend more time with my kids. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Welcome to Time Out, the place parents go for witty insight, tongue-in-cheek advice, and calming reassurance from a seasoned parenting veteran who believes laughing together beats sobbing alone when it comes to crayons in the dryer and other hazards of childhood. Dear T.O., Our two-year-old son thinks farting is one of the funniest things ever. How and when should we go about teaching him (and my husband for that matter) that farts are not funny? Signed, Stinky's Momma Dear Stinky's Momma, I'm afraid you may be fighting an uphill and lifelong battle on this one, Momma. Hollywood has been banking on the fact that people (males especially!) find burps or farts EXTREMELY funny, using them as tried and true laugh-getters for years on both the large and small screens in animated (see: Shrek, The Lion King, Spongebob Squarepants, etc) as well as non-animated fare (See: Blazing Saddles, Caddyshack, Dumb and Dumber, Austin Powers, Elf, any Jim Carey comedy) That being said, it IS worth the effort to try and make your children as mannerly with their methane as possible. If you let Junior rip with abandon and giggle yourself, you may all too soon find yourself the mother of a high schooler with nicknames like "Sir ShitsaLot" or "FrankenFarter" who grows up to be a "Hey, pull my finger!" guy. Breaking kids' pride for public pooting is best attempted well in advance of when they start school, even if it's just preschool. Keeping your eyebrows raised as high will help keep you from smiling while saying, "That is NOT good manners, please say 'excuse me' and go to the <basement/back porch/yard/unpleasant neighbor's house> to do that." Good luck and when it comes to farts, there's one silver lining- at least the worst ones no one can hear! Dear T.O. My childless, unmarried brother keeps giving my children gifts that are either inappropriate for their age or downright dangerous. I've told him, made wish lists, even enlisted the help of my mother, but nothing so far has worked. Any suggestions? Annoyed Dear Annoyed, Oh, easy! The key here is patience. As soon as the kids open their newest switchblade from Uncle Buck, offer them treats while you "hold" the gift. Remove gift from sight, chances are the kids will forget all about it. Sell/trade/donate gift. Put proceeds from gift into a special account. When Uncle Buck marries, use money from special account to buy his kids lovely age-appropriate items like a Hungry, Hungry Hippo game, the Fisher-Price popcorn popper on a stick, a real drum set, and so on. Make sure none of these purchases are dangerous, just really, really loud. Sit back and enjoy! Permalink | Email this | Comments