Thursday, 03 July 2008 00:00
This year, Nick News, an 18 year old news show dedicated to bringing kids honest information about today’s most pressing issues, is celebrating the Fourth of July weekend in a truly unique way. Coming Home: When Parents Return From War, which premieres Sunday, July 6 at 9 pm Eastern time on Nickelodeon, is a tribute not just to the men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan (20,000 of whom will be home by the end of July), but to their children, who also exhibit strength and courage every day.
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Too often, it seems like kids' clothing is all the same no matter where you shop. Not to mention that as much fun as picking out the perfect outfit for your little one can be, when you’re running after a screaming toddler, juggling breakfast plates, and trying to get the juice stain out of your own shirt, sometimes it seems easier just to keep the kids in their pajamas for the third day in a row. But Gimos Kidswear makes getting dressed well worth it.
Here is a product that is truly as innovative as it is ingenious. The Masterpiece Cards are a fun and interesting way to get your kids interested in art, to learn about truly important artists and paintings, and even to plan your next trip to a museum. The two sets, 250 Masterpieces in Western Painting and 125 Masterpieces in the Eastern U.S., include numerous 4x6 cards, each featuring a beautiful reproduction of a painting, information about the artist, when the piece was created, and where it is located, and commentary on the art.
As mothers, we know that how much stuffed animals can mean to a baby. Whether they’re tired and cranky or feeling playful, kids turn first to their favorite animal friends. Knowing this all too well, Russ took a great toy and made it even better. With buckles to unbuckle, buttons to snap, and laces to tie, kids everywhere will surely enjoy this adorable addition to Russ Kids, the Bright Buddies Activity Dolls. Featuring bright colors and eye-catching designs, your child will not be able to keep his hands off of these adorable plush animals.
As moms, we have mastered the art of multi-tasking. We can help with homework, cook dinner, vacuum the living room, and plan for tomorrow’s board meeting practically all at the same time. Which might be why we are so often exhausted and feel as though we’re running on empty from taking care of our kids and the home while juggling work or volunteering. By the time we reach the afternoon (and have already dedicated countless hours to getting everything done), it can feel impossible to finish the day without a nap. To keep up with our hectic schedules, many moms reach for cups of coffee or energy drinks packed with extra calories. 
Olive Kids, one of our favorite online destinations for kid-friendly designs, is gearing up to celebrate summer. This company was started by parents who understand the difficulty of finding cute patterns and decorations for a child’s room without resorting to the movie and TV characters that adorn every other product little kids love.
It’s no surprise that text messaging is growing in popularity practically every day – anyone who has teenagers at home like I do can vouch for that. But it’s not just teens who text anymore; parents use text messages to connect with colleagues at work, young kids with cell phones stay in touch with their friends, and whole families communicate with each other. Which means, maybe not so surprisingly, that actual phone calls – and voicemails – are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Enter SpinVox, a new service in the U.S. (although already taking off overseas) that is in keeping with the times.
Although this book by Heather Gibbs Flett and Whitney Moss is meant specifically for the first-time mom, there’s no doubt that any mom will find something to love in this little book. This book contains 250 activities for you to do with or without your baby, meant to make it easier for a new mom to gain confidence, get outside, and find new things to do with her day. The book is as cute and funny as it is creative, and the tips are truly perfect for moms who are new to figuring out how to go about their daily lives with a baby in tow.
Too often today, baby products look like items our parents might have bought several decades ago. Well no longer. Boon is the up to date answer for today’s parents. With fun designs, cool colors, and truly innovative products, the company brings modern style to modern parenting. Boon provides bath, storage, and feeding solutions to problems that all parents have – messy eaters, countless misplaced stuffed animals, and even potty training. Flo, one of the company’s bath items, is more than a multi-tasker, it’s ingenious. Besides their practical products, though, Boon also offers a line of adorable clothing items. 
No one ever said that staying home with kids was easy. But now, thanks to this new book by Melissa Stanton, you’ll have somewhere to turn whenever you’re feeling a little lonely, under-appreciated, or overwhelmed. Stanton, a magazine editor turned stay-at-home herself, understands all too well both the joys and the challenges that come with staying home with your children full time. For this book, she draws not only on her own experience, but also on the experiences of other moms, who she spoke to and surveyed at length. With information about dealing with everything from money and scheduling to friendships and marriage, Stanton has the advice you need for every situation and the sympathy and understanding you’ve been hoping for. No one understands a stay-at-home mom like another stay-at-home mom, which gives Stanton the insights to make this Survival Guide a valuable resource for moms everywhere. 
