Parenting Sites 411

Yes, I’m still completely obsessed with BlogHer.  I’m having a hard time thinking of anything else at the moment.  And if I do think of something else, it’s “God, I need some sleep” because I’m still completely exhausted.  If you went to BlogHer 07 and are as obsessed as I am (is that possible??) or if you didn’t go and would like to hear some of the dish from the conference, are you ever in the right place!!

If you’d like to see a bunch of posts about the conference (and most of these are from mommy bloggers so far so it’s not entirely off topic with this here blog!), check out this technorati search: http://technorati.com/posts/tag/blogher07 

If you’d like to see some photos of the festivities, anything from shots of the panels to candids from the cocktail parties to fun pics of some of the after parties, check out this flickr search: http://flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=blogher07&m=tags

For my part, I’ve been glued to both.  I NEED HELP.  Send the men in little white coats, STAT!

I made it home in one piece.  Though it was touch and go there for a while while I was flying over Utah (I knew it was Utah because those 767’s have that nifty “map” feature where you can watch a little teeny plane inch across your personal video screen and when you’re desperate to get off the plane, that can actually make it TAKE LONGER).  But I am home and definitely nursing a BlogHer Hangover.  I met so many interesting people, saw so many interesting sights and learned so many interesting things that I feel as if my head is about to burst.  But I did want to direct you all to some great parenting sites that are a little “BlogHer” in theme.

The last panel on Friday afternoon was the “State of the Momosphere” panel, where discussion revolved on what it means to be a mommy blogger and can you actually make money doing it?  According to BlogHer, here is the description of the panel:

It’s no secret that MommyBlogging has changed a lot in the past two years. Sort of like actors who toil away for years before becoming overnight sensations, MommyBloggers are now seen as power influencers by marketers and the media. Whether managing what amounts to small publishing juggernauts, or cranking out posts mostly for family and friends in their not-so-copious spare time, MommyBloggers are getting a lot of attention… individually and as a “segment.” Has the attention and opportunity affected the way you blog? Should it? What are some of the non-negotiable boundaries you have when you consider commercial relationships? Has all the attention and increasing opportunity also affected who you read? This panel will take a look at how MommyBloggers continue to express themselves, support one another and build their platforms under a microscope. It may also give those outside the Momosphere a better understanding of what MommyBloggers want, and how they want to be engaged, if at all. Come join the discussion and answer the questions above for yourself! Jory Des Jardins leads what is sure to be a lively discussion amongst the diverse community of MommyBloggers, including Catherine Connors, Lena Lotsey and Chris Jordan.
This session is sponsored by Five Moms

I think you should definitely check out the blogs of these three women who were on the panel.  They are funny, real and intelligent gals.  I enjoyed the panel quite a bit and the room was packed to the gills so there were many other BlogHers that probably enjoyed the panel too.  So stop by their blogs and tell these awesome ladies that they’re the bomb for getting up in front of all those women.  Because while I did speak at BlogHer, my session was a LOT smaller and even that had my palms sweating profusely.

Are you children playing with a toy that has been recalled?  If they are, and it has, do you know why?  If you wanted to check, where would you look?  I’ve got that information for you here today, along with a short listing of some recent product recalls direct from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.  I think this is important information for parents, especially in this “on the go” world we have, where information about a recalled easy-bake oven might be easy to overlook.  It doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on this information and check the sites from time to time, just to be on the safe side.

• To check for recalled child and infant products, look here: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/child.html
• To check for recalled toys, look here: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html

I think it’s wise to check these lists once a week, maybe every Monday, to see what’s new on the list and make sure it’s not a product that you yourself are using at home.  The website gives you all the information on the recall that you need, including why it has been recalled and what you should do with the product or toy if you happen to have it.

And here is a small listing of some recent recalls in both gear and toy categories:

• Remote Control Airplanes
• Pottery Barn Kids Crib Bumpers
• Easy-Bake Ovens
• Playskool Sippy Cups
• Children’s Earrings Sold at Wal-Mart Stores in Florida
• “Soldier Bear” Toy Sets
• Children’s Clog Shoes
• Mag Stix Magnetic Building Sets

I saw this story on Parent Dish this morning and felt the need to address the issue of speeding past schools and residential areas.  It’s a huge problem in my neighborhood.  And even worse down at my friend’s house.  She lives near the elementary school and more often than not, cars speed past her house and many times these cars are on their way to the elementary school themselves.  We walk our children down to the school together (often pushing our littler ones in strollers) and there is hardly a day that goes by where we don’t have to yell at some car to slow down.  A couple times, the drivers have stopped and actually gotten out to argue with my friends or their husbands when they’ve been asked to slow down.

The speed limit through the houses is 25mph and 15mph past the school.  It’s embarrassingly rare that anyone actually obeys these speed limits.  Even when there are children obviously present and near the street.  I will admit to going over the speed limit in residential areas from time to time.  But I always take my foot off the gas when I see children playing or walking.  Because you never know when a kid is going to dart into the street.  And nowhere I have to go is that important that I need to risk a child’s life to get there, you know?

Maybe the signs mentioned in the story are a good idea.  If they get even just a couple of people to slow down and pay attention, then that’s a good thing, right?  Do you have a problem with speeders in your neighborhood?

Have you heard this story yet? In Masonville, Colorado, 1 year old Booker was visiting his grandparents and splashing in the birdbath in their backyard when a rattlesnake came out to see what the fuss was about. And apparently, something pissed him off because he rattled and made a move to strike the baby. Enter 5-pound chihuahua, Zoey. She literally positioned herself in between the baby and the snake and was struck four separate times from the poisonous rattler. That is when the grandparents heard the dog yelp and came to intervene. For a time, it didn’t appear as though the tiny heroine would pull through, but now it looks as though she’ll make a full recovery. What a good dog! I know my useless mutts would never do something so brave. Baby Booker owes that little ankle-biter his life.

In the world of parenting blogs, there is a huge majority of mommy blogs and a rather small minority of daddy blogs. While the number of daddy blogs grows every day, they’re still almost the “oddity” of the community. But I mean that in the best way possible.

Daddy blogs offer us women a glimpse into the heart of our husbands, to see what they might really think of this whole “being a parent” thing we’ve gotten ourselves into. Danny, from Dad Gone Mad, is probably one of the most visible daddy bloggers there is, and for good reason. He’s a great writer and his humorous views on parenting are pure comedy gold. And when he pours his heart out, it’s time to go dash for the tissue.

It’s blogs like his that make me wish more dads out there had blogs to chronicle their lives as a parent. Am I missing any other fantastic daddy bloggers out there? If you know of one (or two or three), please leave a comment with a link so I can check it out. Just warn me if I’m going to need the tissue first, okay?

I may make this a regular feature here on Parenting Sites 411. What I will be doing today is showing you what sites and posts are showing up on my Google Reader this morning. Maybe you’ll see a site on there you haven’t seen before or maybe you’ll find an update from an old favorite.

• MissZoot posted a guilty admission about tossing garbage in someone elses’s dumpster. That criminal! She also posted about the NY Times posting a review of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” that included spoilers. For the outraged Harry Potter fans out there (like me), she has a letter you can send on to the editors to let them know this is NOT OKAY.
• Kate at sweet| salty posted a followup to the “childless people are pussies” posts she wrote earlier in the week, by answering the age-old question of “WHY do people have kids anyhow??”. It is an amazingly touching answer and I think hits the nail on the head quite nicely.
• Karla at Untangling Knots posted about some challenges she’s had in her breastfeeding relationship with baby Nate. It was very brave of her to post that and I think I know a little of what she’s feeling right now about it all.
• Frema (also from What Are You Lookin’ At) Parental Discretion Advised posted about getting into the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy. I really enjoy reading a “first-timer’s”perspective on the joys (and agonies) of pregnancy and Frema never disappoints me with her witty writing.
• Plain Jane Mom has put out yet another fabulous edition of “Go Read It Today!” and I will heartily second her recommendation as she has highlighted some great posts and news.
• My good friend Brit over at Running Stitch has posted about missing her “me time” to go running in the morning (but how she wouldn’t trade it for the world either).
• There’s also a slew of new stories over at Parent Dish, including an interview with Jaime Pressley, a loveletter to the family dog, the joys (and agonies) of choosing a day care, a gossip tidbit about Bridget Moynahan giving birth on Gisele’s birthday (read for why this is juicy), Harry Potter stamps in Britain, and a boy who got $88,000 from eBay. That’s a lot of news for a Thursday morning!

That’s all for now! Thanks for staying with me while I caught up on my blogroll.

So does “Harry Potter” reign supreme at your house?  It’s a big household activity over here, but my eldest son doesn’t actually read the books himself (though he has been known to make off with my copy of “Order of the Phoenix” and claim that he is reading it).  When he was a baby, however, we read the books to him each night at bedtime.  As a result, my husband and I became lifelong fans of the series and are currently awaiting the release on Friday night/Saturday with bated breath.

Are you planning to take your (older) kids and go to the midnight release party in your area?  If so, you can’t go wrong with Barnes and Noble.   They do up a great party every time a book is released and this last book is no exception.  Expect activities for you and your children, prizes to be won and an opportunity to dress up as your favorite character.  The fun starts around 8pm, depending on your local store.  Check the webpage for exact details.

How about Borders?  If you have one near you, they are also planning a big bash for the big release.  At their Grand Hallows Ball, there’ll be a Potter Spelling Bee, the Great Snape Debate, and yet another costume contest.  Also, you can pick up an exclusive poster when you pick up your copy.  This party starts at 9:30 at my local store, but you may want to check the website and see if your store has a different schedule.

Lots of independent booksellers are throwing their own parties as well, so if you have a favorite smaller bookstore in your area and would like to support them and join in the fun, be sure to call them up before Friday and ask what the plan is.

Or, you could be like me and have your copy already reserved on Amazon.com for guaranteed release date delivery.  “Crowds” and “midnight” don’t really mix well in my opinion, but I could be a minority opinion in that one.  The important thing is getting that book in your hot little hands come Saturday.  And stay away from those spoilers!

I saw this news story this evening and it just turned my stomach.  Partially because I live in Reno and I feel that because this happened in “my town”, that it touches me somehow.  That somehow, however illogically, I’m at fault.  And also, I’m an internet junkie myself (”NO!” you say in mock disbelief) and somewhat of a gamer as well.  I guess that’s why I can see HOW the potential for this story can happen, but in reality?  Are you kidding me?

So the short and ugly is these young parents were arrested (and pleaded guilty, like, I HOPE SO) for extreme child neglect when their children (aged 22 months and 11 months) were found extremely malnourished and in pretty bad shape.  Their excuse?  They were playing games online.  Yes, seriously.  The girl had to have her head shaved because her hair was matted with CAT URINE.  How does that HAPPEN?  The boy had severe genital infection, I’m assuming, from sitting in an unchanged diaper for so long.

Good grief, people.  There’s loving the internet and then there’s LOVING the internet.  Let’s all just agree that we know when we need to step away, oh I don’t know, FEED and BATHE our children, mkay?

This morning, as I walked my son to school with his friends, we learned that one of his best friends got a “Transformers” backpack over the weekend. His other friend had gotten one last week and now he was the only one in the group without a super cool backpack. He’s been wanting one for a while now but it just hasn’t been in the budget. He was very upset about it and I guess I can understand that. According to my friend, she had to look high and low to find the backpack. Just about everywhere in town is plain sold out of super-cool “Transformers” backpacks. I’d like to get my son one of these backpacks eventually and decided with the shortage, maybe online was the best place to look. I found some great results so I thought I would share them here, in case anyone else was on a similar search.

I found this cool one over on CartoonFansClub.com and since Optimus Prime is the mack-daddy of all Transformers, what little kid wouldn’t be the coolest on the playground with one of these? At $19.99 it’s entirely reasonable too.

I found this one over at Target.com so you could probably find it in the store too (unless you have suffered a run on Transformers backpacks like we have). It features a pretty awesome “Autobot” decal, signifying that your child is siding with the good guys. It’s $14.99 so for a very cheap price you can a totally awesome backpack.

I found this one over at amazon.com and it you’re in the market for a backpack with wheels (can double as luggage!), this is a great choice. It’s a little pricier at $29.99 but I think the added features make it worth it. Plus, you know, it looks totally cool. (You can also get a smaller non-wheeled version for $18.99 if you prefer.)

There’s also a very cool Bumblebee backpack for sale over at Toysrus.com for $14.99. There isn’t a photo available but I’ve seen it and it’s completely cool. I mean, it’s Bumblebee! You can see one very similar to it over at Payless.com, but it’s $5 more.

You can also check out eBay where there’s about a bazillion Transformers backpacks for sale. You’re sure to find one to please the pickiest customer there.

Technorati Profile

You’ll notice, as you get to know me here, that dealing with pregnancy loss is a big issue of mine.  I have lost two children, one to miscarriage and one to stillbirth.  No parent should ever have to deal with the agony of losing a child.  But just because they shouldn’t have to, doesn’t mean that they don’t.  That is just the world we live in.

If you’ve never suffered a loss like this (and I pray you haven’t), you might not know what to say to a friend of yours who does go through something like this.  You may be worried about saying or doing the wrong thing, about making it worse.  To let you off the hook a little, it’d be pretty hard to make it worse than it already is.  And ignoring what happened might hurt some feelings.  Kate at sweet | salty just posted today about a conversation with an old friend that dissolved into awkwardness after she told her friend that her son had died.  The friend (childless by choice) obviously had no idea how to react or what to say so she just glossed over Kate’s sad news.  I just don’t think there’s any excuse for that in this day and age.  There’s something to be said for being young, childless, footloose and fancy free.  But that doesn’t give you a platinum pass to discount other people’s grief in situations like this.

I’ve run across similar encounters in my unfortunate travels and gave the subject quite a bit of thought.  Basically, there are some things you might want to avoid saying or doing if you are dealing with parents who have lost a child to infant death, miscarriage or stillbirth.  And there are some things that if you do them will provide immeasurable comfort.  After my miscarriage, I compiled a post of “dos and don’ts” for dealing with grieving parents.  I highly suggest you give it a look, because this knowledge needs to be spread.  It’s just a start and it’s only some small things, but the little things can make a difference.  Believe me, I know.

So Amy found out that her boy is a little speech delayed.  I think the doctors are just playing it safe.  Consider this:  the child is not even two years old yet.  I understand you want to catch problems early, while they’re easy to work with.  I can respect that.  But doesn’t it seem like everyone is a little uptight these days about when kids are supposed to be catching these milestones?  If your child isn’t walking by 1 year, well, maybe they’re developmentally delayed?  If they’re not speaking in sentences by 2 years, they’re speech delayed?  What about the child who is three and is not potty trained yet?  No child should drink a bottle past the age of 18 months or the earth will cease to orbit the earth!  Well, that one I sort of agree with.  But there definitely wasn’t that great of attention spent on that particular issue when my oldest son was a baby.  None of these issues were that prevalent when Harry was a baby.

Now, I think a lot of parents are constantly worried and upset about where their children are at developmentally and where they should be and why they aren’t quite there.  I do think that everyone should just relax a little bit.  While there are milestones and guidelines for a very good reason, each child develops at their own rate.  A child that walks at 17 months can be perfectly normal.  Same with a child that doesn’t speak much at all until he is 3.  And what about the kid that doesn’t potty train until he is 4?  A-ok.  How do I know?  That was my son.  And he is currently in the second grade and one of the smartest children in his class (according to his teacher).  He reads at a fifth grade level and is otherwise no different than any of his peers.

Yes, we should be conscious of our children’s development.  But if a child is 21 months old and isn’t rolling out the vocabulary quite yet, I think that’s perfectly normal.

I’m sure most of you out there in the land of parenting blogs have come across Amy at one time or another.  She is no stranger to mommy blogger and daddy blogger alike.  Considering her popularity and visibility, it’s easy to forget that she’s a parent just like the rest of us and sometimes she doesn’t have all the answers.  Shoot, when do any of us have all the answers?  Today, she (rather tentatively) posted about a concern she has about her darling boy Noah.  Noah is 21 months old (where does the time go) and he’s not saying much.  Sure, he says ABALL! and ABEER! (and Amy has video proof!) but he’s not saying much else.  Her doctor wants to play it safe and have him come in for some speech delay testing.  Of course, this is just routine and “just in case”, but it’s hard not to worry and fret when you’re a mom and this is your little baby.  Chances are, nothing at all is wrong with Noah.  My oldest boy, Harry, didn’t talk until he was 3 years old (and didn’t walk until 17 months!) and he’s just fine. One of the smartest kids in his class, in fact.  Some kids just do things in their own time and on their own schedule and that’s definitely what this sounds like.

This is a sensitive subject for parents.  No parent likes to think their child might be behind or that they’ve somehow done “something wrong” in raising their baby.  It’s easy to feel a little defensive and a lot worried when something like this comes up.  But it comes up and actually quite often.  It helps to know there are others out there who are going or who have gone through what you’re going through.  If just so you can see that it is possible to make it to the other side!  Best of luck to Amy and Noah.

What better way to kick off the new “Parenting Sites 411″ site than to happily announce a birth?  Cagey, who writes both her fabulously funny personal blog Rancid Raves as well as the Nursing Your Kids blog here at 451Press gave birth to her baby girl late last night!  Anjali entered the world at 10:27pm, weighing 8lbs 1oz and was a fabulous 20 inches long.  According to mom, “Sure, she looks like any other squashed up newborn, but I’ll kick anyone’s butt who actually SAYS that.”  I sure do hope that priceless pictures are soon to follow as I love me some newborn (squashed or not).  Congrats to the new mama (and papa!) and if you’d like to read the announcement yourself, head on over to her personal blog and have a look-see (and pen your congrats while you’re at it!).

Hi everyone!  I’m the new writer for Parenting Sites 411!  You may recognize me, either from the other 451Press blogs I write for (Watching Reality TV and Watching Desperate Housewives) or from my personal blog (slackermama . com) or even from the blog design business I’ve been known to dabble in (Lilac Pixels).  So yes, I am no stranger to the world of blogging, particularly the world of parenting blogs.  I hope to focus this site on parenting blogs mostly, as well as talking about all of the other websites and news out there for today’s parent.  This is a subject near and dear to my heart and I am so excited to share it with you all.

Also, if you think there’s a fantastic parenting website or parenting blog out there that I might not know about, let me know!  Leave me a comment here or use the contact form here on this site to let me know about any sites you think I need to check out.  I’m hoping that I will discover a bounty of new blogs and sites over the weeks and months to come.  Join me, will you?