Getting both kids to sleep in on weekend mornings is nothing short of a miracle. If one decides to stay in bed, the other must naturally bound out of her room with a bundle of energy. And no matter how many times we tell them to stay put, arming them with plenty of books/games/bargaining deals (“if you stay in bed until 8, you can watch SpongeBob in the morning), like so many parenting moments, our words appear to fall on deaf ears. Just in time for the return of Daylight Savings comes an adorably clever time-telling tool that just may do the trick. The BabyZoo Sleep Trainer is a smart clock that, at a quick glance, lets kids know whether or not it’s time to [&hellip
The Healthy Walnut Archive
My daughter’s very first “big girl” dinner plate has finally met its maker. After countless washings and many meals, the barnyard animals lovingly laminated on the divided sections are practically peeling off. A bit of a dining hazard…unless you want a side of toxic plastic with those mashed potatoes. These days I know I’m not alone when keeping an eye out for kids’ products that don’t have a zillion potential dangers lurking in their construction. And when it comes to mealtime, I’m especially mindful of safety first. It’s why the new Re-Play line of kids’ dishware and cutlery calls out to moms like me. Made from recycled milk jugs, this line is as environmentally-friendly as it gets. At first grasp, I could tell these products [&hellip
Life as a mom is hardly a Bob Dylan song. The days of being completely carefree and going wherever the wind may take me are on hold…at least for now. Instead, my routine follows its own predictable rhythm of bus stops, preschool drop-offs, homework, dinner and the three B’s: bath, book and bed. Even with a schedule that hums like a well-oiled machine, there’s always those little snags that slow us down: a pair of shoes whose dread wears out, a backpack whose zipper that goes unstuck and kids’ hair. You heard me right on that last one. Yup, combing and styling my girls’ finer-than-fine hair is a never-ending battle. On the one hand, I have a 7-year-old who can’t quite grasp the concept of [&hellip
How I long for the balmy days of spring when the dry air doesn’t rob my sensitive skin of whatever moisture it manages to retain. Sadly, my girls have inherited my extra-dry skin, including chapped lips, and they are quickly leaning that licking them 1,000 times only makes it worse. While we’re lucky that we’ve been blessed with a relatively mild winter so far, the forecast calls for snow this weekend, followed by a sharp cold snap. That can only mean one thing: extra lip balm. And with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it only stands to reason that our lips could use a little extra TLC. Well, get ready to pucker up this February 14th when the makers of Vaseline will offering 100 [&hellip
Talk to any new mom, and she’ll tell you she doesn’t feed her baby with just any old bottle. If she considers herself an A-list mom who wants the healthiest/safest things for her little one (and what mom doesn’t?), she’s probably done her research and figured out which crib promises the best night’s sleep, which stroller has the smoothest ride and which bottle reduces spit-up and fussiness. Now, thanks to the advent of the Similac SimplySmart bottle, the homework has been done for you. The makers of the well-known powdered formula brand have taken their expertise in feeding and applied it to their first-ever baby bottle, designed to make feeding a more enjoyable experience for moms and their babies. At first glance, you’ll notice the [&hellip
Right about now, I’m feeling like the holidays are catching up to me. I’m all shopped out, have more wrapping ahead of me and still need to go out and pick up last-minute essentials like extra tape and batteries. Speaking of which, I could use a little recharging myself…can you relate? If the holidays have left you a bit frazzled and you realize you still need to make it to New Year’s without losing your spirit, it’s time to indulge yourself. No, I don’t mean to spring for that new pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing all season. I’m talking about something to invigorate your senses and start your day off right. Maclaren’s beginning collection is exactly what this weary mom desires. It’s a new [&hellip
My 3-year-old’s new favorite fruit is the clementine. She can’t get enough of them, and I can’t say I blame her. They are sweet, incredibly juicy and easy to peel and eat. From a mom’s perspective, I like that they’re portable and pack easily when we’re on the go, and don’t result in sticky, orange fingers. In fact, theirs is a rather invigorating, citrusy scent that I much enjoy this time of year. Because I tend to buy clementines in bulk, I am forever experimenting with different brands and currently can’t resist Cuties Clementines. Bursting with flavor and packed with vitamin C, they are the perfect addition to lunch, snacktime or anytime hunger strikes. If you happen to have a resident cutie who also loves [&hellip
I’m two seconds away from calling my dermatologist. Sporadic blasts of cold air, coupled with excessive hand-washing to ward off cold/flu season, have laid the groundwork for an eczema flare-up…and there’s no turning back until spring. Here at The Talking Walnut, we can’t get enough of lotions and potions that vow to combat winter-dry skin on kids and grown-ups alike. Because we’re especially mindful of products that are safe for the environment, we love a product that’s as good for us as it is for our planet. And if it looks attractive on our nightstand or in the nursery, then so much the better! I’m sure I’m not the first mom to sneak some of her kid’s stuff (after all, I am the girl who [&hellip
It’s only October, and I’m already seeing signs of dry skin on myself and my daughters. With more frequent hand-washing during cold/flu season, our hands are a bit chapped and rougher than they were just a few months ago. Because my girls have unfortunately inherited my tender Irish complexion, they are more susceptible to winter’s wrath and therefore are slathered with lotions and creams more often than they’d like. Since the Talking Walnut is always on the lookout for products that combat eczema and other irritated skin conditions, we’re always willing to put new skincare to the test. Well, Episencial’s Soothing Cream is just what the doctor ordered. A pleasant-smelling balm made with a blend of natural ingredients like organic green tea and jojoba seed [&hellip
My 3-year-old tries to be like her big sister in so many ways. She mimics what she says and how she says it, she sings the same songs (eat your heart out, Katy Perry) and she so desperately wants to join her in playing Wii. Sadly, yoga and go kart racing doesn’t exactly appeal to the average preschooler, so she has been forced to watch her sister and dad from the sidelines…until now, that is. We recently got our furry paws on a copy of Sesame Street: Ready, Set, Grover!, a video game for the Wii and Nintendo DS, and let’s just say she has found her idea of true blue heaven. Right off the bat, the ultra plush remove cover in the likeness of [&hellip