Photo from The Outfit

These stacking felt animal blocks from The Outfit are cute. Especially the shark.

You may go back to your weekend now. The end.

This Week's Confession:

Sometimes, even though my son is dirty and needs a bath, I skip it if I'm too tired. — anonymous

See this poll at CafeMom.

We all have secrets -- so thanks to this brave mom for sharing her honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation non-judgmental!

Do you have a Mom Confession you want to share? PM me. We can share your confession with your CafeMom screenname or anonymously.

Past Confessions:

I Let My Toddler Watch Too Much TV

I've Given My Child Benadryl for Early Bedtime

My Kids Sleep Alone in the Car

I'm Afraid My Husband is Going to Die

I Don't Like Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

I Have a Family, But I'm Lonely

I Lie and Say I'm "Working" to Avoid Playing

I Let My Son Fall Asleep to DVDs

I Don't Shield My Kids' Eyes from Nudity

I Use Housecleaning to Avoid Playing With My Kids

I Am Not a Fun Mom

I Don't Set Up Play Dates for My Kids

I Wish I Had a Fulfilling Career Outside the Home

I Use My Kid's Flushable Toilet Wipes

I'm Going to Disney Without My Children

I Bribe My Children

I Hate Reading Children's Books

I Sleep Naked With My Toddler

I Hate My Neighbor's Kid

I Don't Like to Play

I Sleep While My Kid Is Up

My Kid Watches TV Up Close

I Let My Toddler Play Outside Alone

I Turn My Kids Over to A Mom I Just Met

My Toddler Wears Crude T-Shirts

I Let My Toddlers Climb Play Equipment Unassisted

My Kids Go to Sleep After Midnight

I Let My Toddlers Go Naked in Public

I Throw Away My Kid's Artwork

I Paid $22 for My Son's Haircut

My Toddlers Eat Pizza for Breakfast

I'm Dying My Toddler's Hair

I Leave My Toddler Alone in the Bath

Our Children Aren't Invited to Our Wedding

I Scold Other People's Kids

I'm on Vacation, But My Kid Is Still Going to Day Care

I Favor My Older Child

I Let My Toddler Eat Food Before Paying for It

I Find Excuses to Send My Kids to Bed Early

Photo by laurakelley

Some toddler boys defy the norm of potty training around 3 years old and potty train as early as 2 years old or, for the son of CafeMom imapepper, at 20 months old, as she discusses in her post Anyone ever potty train their little ones this early?? in Advice for Moms.

20 months old! And a boy! AND interested in potty training! Wow!

As mom to a 3-year old boy who, months after a 2-morning stint of peeing on the toilet, has ABSOLUTELY NO interest in potty training, I'm trying not to be too JEALOUS and to be patient with my boy and his timing.

But it's HARD!

Did your son potty train earlier than three years old? Did you prompt him to start or did he decide on his own that he was interested in potty training?

Related posts:

3 Day Potty Training--A CafeMom Road Test

Potty Training Problem: Not Pooping on the Potty

Potty Training Tip: Being Wet Works

Photo by brwneyedmommy82

Ideal Bite's Alison Neumer Lara is back today, sharing some (sort of) eco-friendly diaper and potty chair options you might try while you wait for the greenest and loveliest option — your potty trained child!

Ta-da! (i wish...)

It's Potty Time...or Maybe Not

By Ideal Bite's Mama Bite Editor Alison Neumer Lara

Recently, I bought my 15-month-old daughter Roxane a potty chair with the idea (okay, desperate hope) that she might take an interest in it. Alas, no. She turned it over, picked it up, and dropped it a few times (it does make a satisfying smacking sound on the floor), and now considers it a place to stash away stuffed animals.

Roxane, like most kids, probably won't manage potty training until she turns 3 years old. (In fact, there's a saying that all kids will be trained by age 3...even those that start earlier.) Meanwhile, of course, the diapers and training pants pile up — up to 6,700 by the time baby's trained — sucking up resources and filling landfills. 

Cloth reusables are a decent option, but they can require incredible amounts of water and electricity to keep clean. A 2008 report in England showed that disposable diapers and cloth ones carry nearly the same carbon footprint — unless you launder reusables strictly in cold water and line dry.

I'm a fan of eco-disposables — biodegradable, cornstarch- and wood pulp-based diapers — but like regular disposables, most end up in tightly packed landfills where nothing can break down.

And this is not to mention other, perhaps more obvious diaper drawbacks like, say, having to haul out wipes, diaper cream, and clean up your child's poop all the time. 

So the options? Few, I know — which is why early potty training is so attractive. The one I found is an eco-potty too (Becopotty) — it's made of corn starch, and when your kid's done with it, just dig a hole in the backyard and drop it in, where it will eventually biodegrade, or compost it. Until then, however, I guess her stuffed animals have a home.

What NOT to Say or Do to a Parent of a Special Needs Child

by aurorabunny

Overall, people have been very kind to my son and me in regard to his disability. We've never really had any rude encounters out in public so far, and I definitely can't match some of the horror stories that I've heard from other moms. I try to always answer questions that people may have and be very open about Brody and his autism. That said, there are still always a few things that never fail to get my goat.  

1. "It's so great that you do so much for him; I just couldn't do it." 

Oftentimes, this comment seems to have a bite behind it, as if the person saying it wouldn't wish this task on their worst enemy or even as if I'm some kind of saint. I think the media portrayal of special needs moms as ever-patient martyrs just makes this worse. It makes me want to respond by saying, "Oh, I just knew that I could do it, hence why I signed my name on the 'I'd like an autistic child, please' list that God was passing around." Come on, moms!

You know how much you fell in love with that little person the second you looked into your child's eyes. You could and WOULD do anything for them if you had to, disability or not. Don't sell yourselves short OR assume that I am beneath you or above you or anything other than just another mom. 

2. "To fix him, you should... [insert therapy/diet change/yoga position here]."

Treatment and "cure" ideas from moms who aren't affected by autism is very vexing to me personally. I don't mind at all if people ask questions about any of those theories, but it's just going to tick me off if you tell me that my son would be magically cured if only I would do whatever your hairdresser's cousin did with her child.

And I would be rolling in money right now if I had a nickel for every freakin' time someone asked me if I knew that Jenny McCarthy's son had autism too and that she wrote a book, which would most likely fix all of my problems.

3. Acting as if autism is a communicable disease

The thing that bothers me the most, or maybe saddens me the most, isn't something that anyone verbally says. It's when other parents rush their children along past my son, as if his disability might be contagious.

I do want other moms to know that short of comments that are glaringly ignorant ("So is he going to be like Rain Man when he grows up?"), there are no stupid questions or comments, at least not to me.

I would much rather have a mom sit down next to me at the playground and genuinely ask why my son may be doing something or making a certain noise repeatedly than just shoot us a look of pity and walk away as fast as possible. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and never be afraid to lend some non-judgmental support. Something as simple as another mom giving me a friendly "been there" smile while my son is having a meltdown is often enough to totally lift my spirits, especially since special needs moms can often feel like they're being judged a lot more harshly than the average parent.

Sometimes I think that the bottom line is as simple as something we all probably learned in kindergarten: We're all people, no matter how different we may look, act, or speak. If you're keeping that idea in your mind as much as possible, the chances of your ending up on the "what NOT to say" list are pretty slim. 

++++

When it comes to parenting, special needs or otherwise, what comments do you prefer NOT to hear? What comments or actions are most helpful to you as a parent?

Previous Special Needs Living posts from aurorabunny:

Sick Special Needs Kid Woe

Announcing Autism

Related posts:

Special Tips for Moms of Special Needs Kids

Mom to Mom: You're Doing Great!

A Mom Confronts the Possibility of Down Syndrome

Photo by Punkylu78

It's an almost-rainy Veterans Day here in Northern California (love the above photo by Punkylu78).

Is it raining where you live? Are you and your toddler stuck indoors?

Here are some fun rainy day activities for when you're stuck inside with a toddler:

• Play Indoor Hopscotch (no chalk involved!)
• Make Your Own Spider Web (no spiders involved!)
• Practice Letters & Handwriting (free customizable worksheets!)
• Make a Homemade Play Fort
• Throw a Dress-Up Photo Party (a small party: you and the kids)
• Make Edible Play Dough
• Conduct a Home Fire Drill
• Make Cool Scenes and Take Photos
• Watch Some TV : It's Not Completely Evil
• Color the Dog (just kidding!)
• Or heck, just Go Play in the Rain

What are you and your toddler doing today? I sent mine to grandma's! :)

Touching, holding, brushing, tugging, rubbing, squeezing, patting. Do your breasts need a restraining order against your toddler?

Toddler hats! Oh, how I love a toddler in a cozy, homemade winter hat.

Here are some of my favorite winter hats, caps, and beanies for toddlers, handmade by super-cool CafeMoms.

Shown above (row by row, left to right):

• Peacock Blue Gnome Hat, $34 at pumpkinhaus (CafeMom pumpkinhaus)
• Mustard Yellow Gnome Hat, $34 at pumpkinhaus (CafeMom pumpkinhaus)
• Girls Toddler Hat with Tassels, $12 at Knit Knots (CafeMom txmommof4angels)
• Green, Blue, Yellow Curly Cue Winter Hat, $10 at Colorful Creations by Nell (CafeMom Nells)
• Brown Boys Brim Hat, $20 at Flutter Baby Gifts (CafeMom flutterby5429)
• Pink Girls Brim Hat, $20 at Flutter Baby Gifts (CafeMom flutterby5429)
• Pink & Purple Striped Toddler Beanie Hat, $9.99 at CrazySocks Crochet (CafeMom crazysocks830)
• B-Boy Cap in Sage & Linen, $25 at Crochet Unplugged (CafeMom YJones)
• BE EASY - Multicolored Crocheted Beanie, $25 at Crochet Unplugged (CafeMom YJones)
• Striped Ear Flap Hat, $16.99 at CrazySocks Crochet (CafeMom crazysocks830)
• Interchangeable Red Beanie Hat with Flower, $11 at Bea's Bows (CafeMom Chrissy822)

Are you sending your tot out, bundled up with a warm winter hat yet this season?

Related posts:

Gap's New Stella McCartney Collection for Toddlers

Scary Skulls and Bats: Would You Dress Your Toddler in These?

What's the Difference Between a Size 2T and 24 Months?

Photo by rach_jaco

"Sunny days, sweeping the clouds away." It's Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary this week, so I thought I'd do a link roundup toasting to this beloved series.

Sesame Street gets a New York City address. — Parent Dish

The Sesame Street your toddler watches isn't the same as the one you watched. See how the show has changed over the years. — NY Times

How well do you know Elmo? Take the quiz. — Lil Sugar

The 50 best Sesame Street moments. — Babble

You can watch your favorite Sesame Street video clips, both new and old. — YouTube

What's your favorite Sesame Street memory (either for you or your child)? Who was your favorite character?

Related posts:

Should Cookie Monster be the Veggie Monster?

Elmo on Your iPod

Ricky Gervais Meets Elmo

Photo by JSVDP

Loved this post over on MomLogic: The 10 Stages of Toddlerhood in Words.

This list sounds about right to me. Pretty sure #6 and #9 are going to be top tens in Leo's language favorites for awhile. LOL.

I'm wondering how your toddler's language matches up to their list.

What stage of language is your toddler at? Or maybe language has been a challenge — large or small — for your tot. Tell us about it.

Related posts:

Giveaway: Little Pim Spanish Language DVD Set

Poor Kids Don't Talk So Good -- Are You Kidding Me?

Toddler Speech: When to See a Therapist

Photo by thomasfam14

The toddler years are the perfect age to start teaching your kids manners and good habits.

CafeMom MrsManners aka: Angela Pitre, owner of the CM group Manners for the Modern Family and MannersMadeFun.com, is here to help.

Dear MrsManners:

My daughter is in daycare and has started biting other children. What should I do? I'm concerned that my daughter will be thrown out of the daycare.. -- Anonymous

From: MrsManners

If you find out your child is biting, it's best to be as proactive as possible. Start by talking to the preschool and asking them as many questions as you can. You are looking for clues because a child bites for many reasons, such as jealousy, frustration, anger, attention, stress, habit, trying to seek control, self protection, and so on. Your job is to try and figure out what triggers the biting so that you can begin to correct the behavior.

If you have done your research beforehand and I am sure all of you have, you know most daycare centers and preschools have a biting policy. Hopefully you know your center or school's policy, and you should work within the guidelines of that policy to prevent your child from getting expelled from the school.

Here is the real kicker, ladies. You are going to have to talk to your child. If you can get your child to talk about why he or she is biting, you may be able to solve the problem a lot faster. You can't do this by attacking the child though. You have to make sure that you have your temper in check and are ready to talk. Hopefully you are going into the situation armed with some fore knowledge from the caregivers about what was happening before the biting incident took place.

First, establish why your child bit. Then talk about other ways that he or she can handle the situation, such as, using their words. Remember to keep an open mind; you never know what may have driven your child to bite. If it was because the same child at school keeps taking the same toy away from her every single day and one day she just snapped, then you may need to talk about better ways to handle that. While she wasn't right to bite, she does need to know how to stand up for herself in an appropriate fashion.

If you are there when your child bites, swoop in and address it right away! Stay controlled with your voice but be stern — "No biting! Biting hurts people and we DO NOT hurt people!" It may be appropriate at this point in time to remove your child from the setting to give them a moment to calm down and possibly talk about what happened some more.

Ladies, preschoolers bite. It is an unfortunate but common issue. It is one that you need to deal with as swiftly as possible, and you may find that you need to get a little creative with the way you handle it. Because there are SO many possible scenarios, I would love to hear from some of my fellow CafeMoms about how you have handled biting. Don't forget by sharing your information and knowledge you may just be helping a fellow Mom who is at her wits end!

Don't forget to submit your manners/behavior questions in a comment on this post or via PM to Cafe Sheri!

Is your child going through a biting stage? If you have gone through a biting stage, how did you handle it? What worked and what didn't work?

Related posts:

Does Biting Back Really Work?

What to Do When Baby Bites

How do I get my 2 y/o to stop biting?

See this video at CafeMom.

CafeMom jgal29 wrote to tell me her kids are having a blast with her recent CafeMom Daily Buzz giveaway win — the LeapFrog Zippity Learning System.

It does look like fun!

jgal29 won this cool video learning system for her family by leaving a comment on the related post in CafeMom's Daily Buzz.

Check out all the Daily Buzz giveaways. You can win too! We post new giveaways every week.

Little Pim Spanish Language DVD Set

The folks at Little Pim believe teaching young children a second language like Spanish can be fun and easy! In fact, Little Pim offers several language-learning DVDs that were created just for children, ages 0-5.

Right now on CafeMom, you can enter to win a Little Pim Spanish Language DVD Set. To enter to win, tell us...

Does your child speak a second language or know any words in another language?

Today, we're giving away three Little Pim Spanish Language DVD Sets, which include:

• Three Spanish DVDs for young children, including: Eating and Drinking (DVD 1), Wake Up Smiling (DVD 2), and Playtime (DVD 3).
• An 8-inch velvety soft plush toy of Little Pim, the star of the series, who captivates young children by turning everyday activities into fun adventures. He's wearing his signature purple-striped bag, which can hold your child's little treasures.

To be entered to win a Little Pim Spanish Language DVD Set, just leave your answer to the above question in the comments below!

Here are the giveaway rules...

Only your first comment counts as an entry.

Three (3) CafeMoms who reply to this post with a comment by 11:59 pm (EST) on Friday, November 13, 2009, will be chosen at random to receive a Little Pim Spanish Language DVD Set (valued at $59.95).*

*No Purchase Necessary. Starts November 9, 2009 at 11:00 am (EST) and ends November 13, 2009 at 11:59 pm (EST). Open to U.S. residents, 16 years and older, who are CafeMom members. Void where prohibited. Click here for the Official Rules.

Photo by AnaBaumgartner

Kids are little collectors, aren't they? From trains and dolls to rocks and gum wrappers, kids' special collections run the gamut. One thing's for sure, the collection is often a precious thing to the child.

Does your child have a special collection?

Here's what several CafeMoms shared about kid collections:

grammabird: My 4-year old grandson Tristin has an obsession with all things Thomas the Tank Engine! He knows all their names, knows the eight or nine movies he owns by heart (word for word), and has recently started collecting the track and engines. He has several and takes at least two of them every time he leaves the house. If he can't take a train, he takes the paper that came in it, with all the other trains on it, telling us which ones he wants. All of them!!

Mom2Just1: My 3.5-year old son collects cars and trucks and plays often with them. He does not really display any of them. He has blue dog that goes everywhere with him and he showcases that to everyone. It even ended up in a preschool photo!

ToddlerBrain82: We just got back from 10 days in Southern California. While we were in San Diego, Sebastian became obsessed with those souvenir pennies you can make for 50 cents in a machine. He came home with a collection of nine of them, from various museums, the San Diego Zoo, and Sea World. He keeps them in a neat tiger-shaped container that also came from the zoo.

auroragold: My DD is a collector alright — it's just that it changes pretty routinely. One day it's rocks, the next it's leaves, then it's candy wrappers. I'm not joking! I have a bag of confetti she scooped up from her birthday party (2 years ago), a bag of lint from the dryer (I no longer ask for her help with laundry) and get this — a bag of shavings from the pencil sharpener! HOWEVER, one thing that she collects "seriously" is a special series of books — the Rainbow Magic series by Daisy Meadows. She very specifically arranges them (though the order is sometimes alpha by fairy name and sometimes order of their release), and none are allowed to touch the books.

Mom2M2: They don't really have collections, but sometimes my 4-year old son will gather all like items, line them up, and then call them his collection. For instance, he finds all the balls he can find, lines them up by size, and then says it's his "ball collection."

Cafe Sheri: When I was a kid, I started collecting business cards. It gave me something to do and look forward to when I went places with my parents. I had hundreds and they were alphabetized too!

We'd love to hear what your child collects. It might be something sentimental or pretty, but it also might be something that drives you a little nuts when you're forced to dust around it.

Does you child have a special collection?

Related posts:

Do you "collect" things for your kids?

Share Your Collection

Weekend DIY: Freshen Up Your Collections

Photo from Ashley Lynne

So loving this handmade toddler tunic/dress from the Ashley Lynne Etsy shop. Isn't it gorgeous? The tunic is $29 for sizes 18 months, 24 months, 2T, 3T, 4T, and 5 and $34 for sizes 6 and 8.

Wish they had my size...

This Week's Confession: 

I let my son watch way way too much TV. We would do things like go to the park but I don't have a car. — anonymous

See this poll at CafeMom.

We all have secrets -- so thanks to this brave mom for sharing her honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation non-judgmental!

Do you have a Mom Confession you want to share? PM me. We can share your confession with your CafeMom screenname or anonymously.

Past Confessions:

I've Given My Child Benadryl for Early Bedtime

My Kids Sleep Alone in the Car

I'm Afraid My Husband is Going to Die

I Don't Like Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

I Have a Family, But I'm Lonely

I Lie and Say I'm "Working" to Avoid Playing

I Let My Son Fall Asleep to DVDs

I Don't Shield My Kids' Eyes from Nudity

I Use Housecleaning to Avoid Playing With My Kids

I Am Not a Fun Mom

I Don't Set Up Play Dates for My Kids

I Wish I Had a Fulfilling Career Outside the Home

I Use My Kid's Flushable Toilet Wipes

I'm Going to Disney Without My Children

I Bribe My Children

I Hate Reading Children's Books

I Sleep Naked With My Toddler

I Hate My Neighbor's Kid

I Don't Like to Play

I Sleep While My Kid Is Up

My Kid Watches TV Up Close

I Let My Toddler Play Outside Alone

I Turn My Kids Over to A Mom I Just Met

My Toddler Wears Crude T-Shirts

I Let My Toddlers Climb Play Equipment Unassisted

My Kids Go to Sleep After Midnight

I Let My Toddlers Go Naked in Public

I Throw Away My Kid's Artwork

I Paid $22 for My Son's Haircut

My Toddlers Eat Pizza for Breakfast

I'm Dying My Toddler's Hair

I Leave My Toddler Alone in the Bath

Our Children Aren't Invited to Our Wedding

I Scold Other People's Kids

I'm on Vacation, But My Kid Is Still Going to Day Care

I Favor My Older Child

I Let My Toddler Eat Food Before Paying for It

I Find Excuses to Send My Kids to Bed Early

Designer Stella McCartney has a new collection for toddlers at Gap. Lovely materials and soft muted colors in her pretty apparel, which I can't wait to go on SALE. Hee hee.

Shown above (line by line, from the top):

• Puffer jacket, $88
• Bow belt coat, $98
  
• Solid T, $24
• Turtleneck, $24
  
• Corduroy pants, $58
• Pleated pants, $58

Stella has apparel in the new line for big kid boys, big kid girls, baby boys, and baby girls, too! In fact, Cafe Cynthia's talked about Stella McCartney's Baby collection the other day. Check 'em out.

I know the prices are steep, but what do you think of the look of the collection?

Related posts:

Stella McCartney Baby Gap Line

Baby Laundry Soap for Toddler Clothes?

What's the Difference Between a Size 2T and 24 Months?

Photo from Getty/Kevin Winter

Actress Sandra Bullock and her husband Jesse James are fighting for sole custody of Jesse's five-year old daughter Sunny James, according to E! Online.

Sandra and Jesse had sole custody of Sunny while the toddler's previously drug-addicted, adult film star mom Janine Lindemulder served time in jail for tax evasion, and now that mom's out, the couple wants to keep it that way.

Janine's ongoing troubles haven't made life easy for little Sunny, and now Mom is married to ex-con Jeremy Aikman. Hmm, doesn't sound promising...

Read the whole story on E! Online.

Has your family or a family you know been affected by extreme custody battle with an alleged unfit parent?

aurorabunny's 3-year old son Brody was diagnosed with classic autism at one year, falling on the severe side of the spectrum in terms of development. At present, Brody is still mostly nonverbal, using a few words, sign language, and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) to communicate.

Each week, aurorabunny discusses the everyday struggles and triumphs of raising a child with special needs and an invisible disability.

When Kids with Special Needs Get Sick by aurorabunny

Before I start, let me say that I know sick kiddos aren't exactly a picnic for anyone.  However, when kids with autism or other special needs get sick, it can be an entirely different ballgame. 

This time of year is always particularly nerve-wracking for me because when my son gets sick, he often regresses on skills that he has learned, loses language sounds, and can be generally out of whack and off his routine for weeks as a result of even a mild illness. The best way I can explain it is to tell another mom to remember back to what it was like to have a sick newborn. 

I can definitely tell you that I never wish that my son could speak more than the times when he is sick. What hurts? How bad does it hurt? It's all just a big frustrating guessing game. Since we can't communicate about these kinds of things, the next logical step is for me to judge how my son is feeling based off of his attitude and behavior. Unfortunately for many children with autism or sensory processing disorder, they don't necessarily feel things the way that we do. Brody could be in fairly severe pain, and I wouldn't have any indication unless I had actually seen him get hurt. Again, FRUSTRATING!

And forget about traditional sickness comforts and remedies. Although this doesn't apply to my son (who is no longer a picky eater), many children with autism wouldn't touch a bowl of noodle soup or a glass of ginger ale any day of the year, let alone when they're under the weather.

Learning how to blow your nose, cover your cough, or to get sick in the toilet instead of all over the sofa are all skills that may come much later to children with special needs. We won't even talk about how things might end up going if your child with special needs gets sick enough to require a doctor visit. Doctors never seem particularly thrilled to hear, "He has a really bad cough...oh and he might totally flip out if you touch him, look at him, or speak to him." (The portable DVD player has saved our lives in the doctor visit department!)

I hope I've been able to give you a little peek into why some moms might be a little more germaphobic than you might think is necessary. At my son's new school, I have been recently introduced to parents of children with serious physical disabilities; something as small as a cold could potentially put their kids in the hospital. These families make me realize that we are really pretty lucky. Despite the havoc that Brody's illnesses wreak on our lives and schedules, I'm thankful that he at least has the immune system to fight them off.

So don't automatically judge the next time you see a tot being slathered in Germ-X on the playground; the seasonal hazards of colds and flu take more of a toll on some of us than others.

How do colds, flu, and illness affect your special needs child? Whether or not your child has special needs, do you have any special tips for diagnosing or dealing with sick kids?

Related posts:

Special Needs Kids: Get the $$ Help You Need

Special Needs Education: What to Expect

Special Tips for Moms of Special Needs Kids

Photo by rockerchic

One mom's question about whether or not to pierce her 4-year old's ears sure sparked some debate over in The CafeMom Newcomers Club recently.

What's interesting to me is that age wasn't the controversy, it was gender — her child is a boy. So in an era when many CafeMoms agree that little boys should be allowed to do ballet, many at the same time believe that earrings are only for girls, not boys.

Wow. What year is it?

My 3-year old and 6-year old boys happen to like this navy blue nail polish I have, and both asked for me to paint their nails. I obliged, warning the 6-year old that some of the kids at school may not think boys should wear nail polish.

Sure enough, society acted just like I knew they would. He got teased for "being a girl," and we removed the nail polish. We had another long talk about gender roles and stereotypes. And somehow, I feel a little like a failure...

Of course, I understand why we, as adults, must follow certain social norms to get jobs, to be respected, to be taken seriously — and what that means if we choose not to. However, it depresses me that these rules hit kids so young and that a young boy can't even play around with putting color on his fingers without being teased.

And that still the worst thing a boy can be called is a "girl" — even in this day and age.

I wouldn't let my boys (or girls if I had them) get their ears pierced at four years old. Piercings are a big responsibility. And as a mom, I don't want to have to worry about another wound-worthy body part that I'd also have to clean on a daily basis. So I was pretty shocked that gender was the bigger issue in the thread.

I am so tired (if not bored) of the notion that boys and girls should be stuck in a box based on their gender. Truly, I am.

Do you teach your children to act within strict gender roles – boys do boyish things, girls do girlish things...? If so, how far do you go? If not, how do you handle when society's perspective comes crashing in?

Related posts:

Will You Get Your Baby's Ears Pierced?

Tips for Piercing Your Baby's Ears

Body Piercings: Should a 12-Year-Old Be Allowed to Get Them?

Photo by cozycabinmom

After reading the Daily Buzz post French Fries: Most Popular Tot "Vegetable," some of you tot mamas — although you have a pretty good idea — wondered what good toddler nutrition should look like.

I asked Catherine McCord (CafeMom weelicious), the founder of weelicious.com, to tell us what she knows about good toddler nutrition.

How many servings of fruits and vegetables should a healthy toddler consume in a day? How much is a serving size?

As much as I read about children, food, and health, I don't know if there's a specific amount to recommend per child because children are different heights, weights, etc.

In my opinion, it's important to OFFER:

• A fruit at each meal and at snack time. A half a cup is a good serving size (about one small apple). Fruit juice does not count. I don't even advise serving juice because it's filled with sugar and is stripped of most of the vitamins and nutrients so important to growing little bodies.
• At least one vegetable at lunch and at dinner.

How much fat should a healthy toddler consume in a day? What kinds of fats are best? Which kinds should we avoid?

The fats in salmon, cheese, olive oil, dairy products, nuts, and eggs are best. I make sure that every meals has some fat in it, but kids don't need as much fat as we think they do. That's part of the reason kids should switch to lowfat dairy products after the age of two. 

In terms of sodium intake, what foods should we avoid serving our toddlers?

Most foods served at fast food chains and in prepackaged meals are full of sodium. As much as possible, try to cook homemade meals for your family so you can control the sodium.

Vitamins and minerals?

Offering bright-colored fruits and vegetables is always key because they tend to contain more vitamins and minerals. If you know your child likes crunch, offer a crisp apple or raw vegetables with a dip.

Any other guidelines for building a healthy and nutritious diet for a toddler?

I always recommend avoiding refined sugars and fried foods whenever possible. That doesn't mean you have to deprive your child of the occasional chocolate chip cookie or french fry though.

At the end of the day, it's important to stress moderation. Get kids involved in the process so they have some control and understanding about the foods they put in their bodies. You would be shocked at how many kids will eat fruits and veggies you never thought possible because they helped make a smoothie with you. It empowers them and their food choices.

Catherine McCord is the founder of weelicious.com. She started modeling and traveling the world at a very young age, tasting and being turned onto foods that were exciting and exotic to her Kentucky-bred palette. She then attended school at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. After her son, Kenya, was born she created weelicious.com to help parents like herself cook seasonal recipes that were kid friendly, fast, simple, and nutritious. Catherine lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband Jon, 2-year old son, Kenya, and baby girl, Chloe.

Related posts:

French Fries: Most Popular Tot "Vegetable"

Healthy, Quick Toddler Meals

The Next Food Network Star Cooks With Toddlers

Photo by JayGirlsMom

The Baby Einstein debate, and Disney's refund — you've probably heard a lot of talking about babies and kids and the "big bad TV" lately.

Well, here's an interesting perspective from Julia Pimsleur Levine. Julia actually makes an educational DVD series for tots, but she's also a mom. And she makes a very valid point about the importance of promoting media literacy rather than "demonizing" the television altogether.

When it comes to toddlers watching TV, it doesn't have to be all or nothing, does it?

Recent Disney Controversy

I am the mother of two young boys under the age of five, and for full disclosure, the creator of an educational DVD series for tots, Little Pim, which introduces babies, toddlers and preschoolers to a second language. Although I have mixed feelings about the Disney refund, I believe the ban-TV-for-tots frenzy that has ensued is misguided.

Let us contemplate the following:

1. Studies show that 74% of all kids in the U.S. under two watch SOME videos or DVDs*. So either nearly 3/4 of the parents in this country are bad people, or letting your child watch a show while you make dinner isn't as big a deal as some advocacy groups would have you believe.
2. There is a BIG difference between a baby or toddler watching a few minutes of an educational DVD and the 2-3 hours of viewing per day that the American Academy of Pediatrics found to be potentially unsound for young minds and prompted them to issue a warning against ANY screen time kids under the age of two.
3. We are now living in a digital era of YouTube, 500 cable channels, and videos on our cell phones. Our kids will be surrounded by media from their earliest days, whether we like it or not. The question we should be considering is “what” and “how much” screen time is right for them? Parents need to make their own decisions about when the right time is to expose their kids to media and then be encouraged to make thoughtful decisions about what that media is. Media literacy should be the issue of the day, not media abstinence.
4. Most parents engage with their young children in a variety of ways — reading to them, talking, singing, playing, dancing AND allowing them watch a DVD from time to time. Most of us do it all. I have yet to read a study that shows there are negative side effects of limited screen time, when it's part of a verbally rich environment and healthy family interactions.

So even if the secret is "out" that we sometimes use DVDs as a babysitter, we also know that sometimes we watch WITH our children. We share in their delight at making new puppet friends, learning new words in English, Spanish and Chinese, and acquiring social skills by imitating kids or animated characters on screen. These are moments we can celebrate and cherish; the watching may not make them smarter, but it may help them learn about making healthy viewing choices that will carry over when they are old enough to control the clicker.

- Julia Pimsleur Levine, Mother and President, Little Pim Co.

* source: PBS

What do you think? Can TV play a positive role in our children's lives? Do you have a TV-inclusive balance of activities set up for your kids? What's that balance for you?

Related posts:

Baby Einstein Offers Refund for Not Making Your Tot a Genius

Duh! Study: TV Doesn't Help or Hurt Toddlers

Do You Let Your Toddler Watch Cartoons?

Photo by beachmamaof2

If you have a young toddler that hasn't yet given up their binkie, check out these links I love:

What's your pacifier called? — Lil Sugar

Breaking the binkie habit. — Momversation

7 more ways to help wean your child from the pacifier. — Yahoo! Shine

Always losing it? Keep it clipped! — Celeb Baby

This mom wonders why it's necessary to give up the pacifier. — Babble

Have you weaned your toddler from her pacifier? What method did you use?

Related posts:

The Pacifier Addiction Cure

Funny Pacifiers

Photo by Christy.Cab

"Little boys in ballet/tap?" asks CafeMom hanksmom0207 in the Advice for Moms group. "Is that okay for little boys?"

I'm probably about as "pro" boys in dance classes as they come, but I'd love to hear what you have to say.

I say if a boy is a dance enthusiast or even simply interested in taking a dance class, then by all means, sign him up.

My oldest took a hip hop class when he was about four, and it really helped with his coordination, his ability to listen and follow direction, and his energy overload too. We loved it. I think ballet and tap would be great at teaching boys restraint and grace.

Most the moms responding to hanksmom0207's question didn't see a problem with boys taking ballet and tap. In fact, several referenced ballet being used to help professional football players, which I've heard about before.

I understand hanksmom0207's worry though. Even though most of us claim "it's no problem" to send a boy to ballet class, very few of us boy moms are actually doing it. Unless you live in a really progressive city, the ballet classes in your neighborhood probably have very few boys, if any, in the class. So in a way, you'd have to be willing to push the social norms to sign your son up.

I'd have no problem doing this if my boys showed outward interest or talent in dance, but so far, we just sign up for sports because that's what the other boys are doing. We just stick with the norm, which always leads me to questions like, "Do boys really not like ballet or do we not offer them ballet in any sort of way that would allow them to like it?"

Have you signed your son up for ballet or tap class? Will you?

Photo by geminisummerz

Lots of CafeMoms are talking about the strange items their kids brought home in their trick or treat bags on Halloween night?

Apparently, a lot of your neighbors are WEIRD, mamas, cause there were some WEIRD things in those bags! LOL.

Here's some of the strangest finds...

Hmmm, maybe your neighbors are more ill prepared than weird. Nah, they're just straight weird!

Here are some of the weirdest Treat or Treat bag goodies I read:

• Easter candy
• Valentine's Day candy
• Snowman eraser
• Religious pamphlet to the local church
• Sales brochure
• Pack of instant oatmeal
• Push Up popsicle
• Mini bottle of Purell hand sanitizer
• Cough drops
• Bag of tissues
• Comb
• Mini Bible
• Coupon for Pampers
• Coupon for a free goldfish
• Can of chicken noodle soup
• Can of Sprite
• Pack of 3 x 5 index cards
• TV Guide
• Golf Weekly
• Cookie cutter
• Glass rooster
• Sample of men's cologne
• Lighter (!!!)
• 9-volt battery with a note about setting the clocks back
• Summer sausage
• Top Ramen flavor packet
• And THE WEIRDEST: A photo of the homeowners in their Halloween costumes

That last one's gonna keep me up at night... So weird!

Did your kids come home with anything weird in their trick or treat bags this Halloween?