On Day 2 of a super soaker rainy stretch, it’s hard to imagine we’ll soon be trading in this wet spring for sweltering heat. In my family, the hot summer sun is nothing to scoff at; my girls have unfortunately inherited my fair complexion and I make a point of slathering them in sunscreen so much that the sun’s damaging rays don’t stand a chance. Of course, when my little ladies aren’t under my wing and it’s time to re-apply the lotion, it helps to have a way to make this chore both convenient and not so involved, especially for kids. Sunbow Sunscreen Sun Sticks are handy, portable sticks that stow away easily in camp backpacks. Not only do they offer optimal protection with an [&hellip
The Safe Little Walnut Archive
My toddler is frustrated. Not that that’s an unusual occurrence, but it’s because she can’t quite bicycle as well as her older sister. Granted she is not yet 3 years old, but she takes her inability to master new things right away very personally (don’t we all?). When we took the girls out for a bike ride around the neighborhood, the little one was having difficulty grasping the concept of keeping her feet on the pedals; she just wondered rather loudly “why it won’t go?” So we resorted to her dragging her feet (literally and figuratively) as my husband pushed her from behind. Needless to say, his back was killing him before we made it down the street. For parents with aching backs everywhere comes [&hellip
Baby monitors have come a long way since the days of scratchy walkie talkie-type gadgets that could pick up your neighbor’s juicy phone conversations. Because the rooms in our humble home are relatively close together, and also because I had very “vocal” babies, no monitor ever truly wowed me enough to bother with. Now in stores, there’s a monitor that isn’t only a listening/viewing device, but a modern-day keepsake. Baby Moments Digital Video Monitor has the ability to capture up to 50 photos at a time, so you can download them to your own computer and share with co-workers, friends and far-away family members. Then, when the video monitor isn’t being activated, you can use this multitasking tool as a picture frame to show off [&hellip
When I hear my daughter utter those famous words, “I have to go to the bath-rooommm,” I cringe. Even though she’s been potty-trained for a few years now, I absolutely dread having to visit public restrooms (and what mother doesn’t)? Forget the fact that they’re filthy, smelly and always crowded; my 6-year-old still holds on to the sides of the toilet bowl no matter how often I remind her to keep her hands to herself. If you’re a mom like me who finds herself in this type of situation more times than she’d like to, you may appreciate gLovies. Aiming to keep germs at bay, these disposable hand covers are perfect for slipping on when making a pit-stop. I was never a big fan of [&hellip
As one of my favorite PSA ads professes, it’s too bad babies don’t come with an instructional manual. Do you remember what it was like to leave the hospital with your bundle of joy, only to arrive home and realize you didn’t have the slightest clue what you were doing? (I’ve been a mom for nearly seven years, and some days, I still feel that way!) To make newborn care a little less daunting comes a new book that aims to take the guesswork out of much of the day-to-day crying/burping/feeding/sleeping that has become your routine. Written by occupational therapist Megan Faure, The Babysense Secret focuses on picking up on your baby’s cues by reading her body language. Does that cry mean she’s too warm [&hellip
Swaddling my daughters was something I never did quite right. While I consulted the Web and tried to follow instructions on how to create a ‘baby burrito’, it just didn’t seem to be working…seeing how they were still crying! TrueWomb is one product that aims to banish that insecurity for new moms by making swaddling as easy as 1-2-3. This sleep system is made up of different parts: the SwaddleTech Pouch, which lets a baby’s legs assume a fetal position when they’re at rest; a SecureSleeve that keeps her arms in place; and a ComfortWrap belt to keep her completely secure. Note: TrueWomb may take some getting used to, but before you know it, you’ll feel like you could swaddle your baby in your sleep. [&hellip
When my now-teenage niece was a baby, my sister had a baby monitor that picked up more gossip from her neighbor’s house than baby cries. After her second daughter was born, that monitor was replaced with a more updated model that detected every movement and sigh from her little one. My, how far we’ve come! Today’s baby monitors have built-in webcams and can work up to hundreds of feet away from the nursery. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line model with all the bells and whistles you can dream up, then check out Mobicam Digital. It works with up to 3 cameras and boasts powerful nighttime vision–almost as good as your cat’s–for up to 30 feet. For the extra vigilant parent, there’s wide angle viewing, [&hellip
What parent wouldn’t relish one room in the house that doesn’t scream “baby?” I know my husband wishes there were more places in our home that weren’t all about kids–from toys spilling out of otherwise-concealed storage bins, to outlet covers galore, there is clear-cut evidence that yes, we have young children living here. Because we consider our dining room a prime entertaining spot, with our fireplace and seating area, it’s one space that begs for practicality, but that must still be safe for prying hands. Jamboo Creations takes the sting out of childproofing with HearthSoft, a makeshift fireplace cover that doubles as a comfortable seating area. It’s made from a flame-retardant poly-foam material that slips right over a hearth, without requiring any special assembly. It [&hellip
How many times have you heard the phrase, “Better to be safe than sorry?” The words never ring more than true than when you’re traveling and you’re at the mercy of others who are, shall we say, “interested” in your stuff. Grab Guard is one device worth having if you’re extra concerned about keeping your belongings secure. Think of it as a miniature padlock for your backpack, purse..even a diaper bag. Remember fumbling with your high school locker? This simple device makes up for all those frustrating moments. Simply select a two-digit combination, punch in the numbers, pull the lock and you have access to your all your personal items. Did we mention that this doesn’t look like your old school lock either? The Grab [&hellip
When I’m out shopping alone (whenever the moon is blue, that is), I’m naturally able to pay more attention to my surroundings. At times, I’ll see a mom walking with her child on a leash and of course, I think to myself, “Isn’t that a better idea for your dog?” While I can appreciate her attempt to keep her unruly child contained (hey, that’s what shopping carts are for), there must be a better way. I like the thinking behind the reisenthel motherchildbag, a reusable shopping bag that features three handles: two for you and one for your child. It’s a great way to hit the store for a few quick items with a young child in tow. What’s really genius is that I can [&hellip