Forms For Parents...

A new and great idea launched in February 2008, Forms4Parents.com addresses the need to provide security for children and peace of mind for parents and guardians alike when traveling.

According to the 2006 Statistics for the Travel & Tourism Industry, 43% of weekend trips are taken by couples without their children. In addition, children are now more likely to travel with family members other than their parents:

• 20% of grandparents have been on a trip with their grandchildren in the past year and,
• 15% of singles have been on a vacation with their nieces, nephews or other young relatives in the past year

So how do you ensure that your children remain safe and protected while traveling without you? Forms4Parents.com is a website that allows parents to customize forms to their unique family situation and provide travel consents, temporary custodial authority and medical authorizations, with important medical information about your child along with emergency contacts and insurance information. This is all clarified in a comprehensive legal consent form designed for your family. The forms are prepared online and downloaded in a matter of minutes!

Forms are separated individually by category and may be purchased individually or as packages such as Traveling Parents; Traveling with Relatives; Babysitter or Relatives Caring for Baby, Toddler or Children; Traveling Children & Teenagers (Domestic & International Travel); and Americans Living Abroad. Individual forms are priced at $16.95 and packages are $34.95.

And especially for you...

From now until Labor Day (Monday September 1, 2008) Forms4Parents.com

is offering 25% off your total purchase.

Enter promotional code SUMMERTRAVEL for a 25% discount off your total purchase.

The Strong Willed Child

If any of you are blessed like me to have a strong willed child, you know that day to day life can some times be a struggle. I came across Robert J. Mackenzie's book, "Setting Limits with your Strong- Willed Child: Eliminating Conflict by Establishing Clear, Firm, and Respectful Boundaries" while looking at Borders. This book addresses some of my concerns like power struggles and endlessly refusing to listen. I think this will be a fabulous addition to my never ending collection of parenting books, and hopefully one of yours too.

Red Wagon Presents...

Two of my favorite things... Wagons, and Books! Book gift baskets..a unique idea in gifts..ideal for anyone and any occasion. I absolutely LOVE this idea! From gift sets for him, her, children to cooking and get well gift sets... You can't go wrong with a gift like this!

This is perfect for a baby shower gift...



















This is perfect for a birthday gift...


















This is perfect for a get well surprise...




















Buy them here and start spreading the love!

Fit Mama

I am still working on my postpartum figure. But, as a first time mom, I have had trouble finding the best solution to working out while still paying plenty of attention to my baby. With Fit Mama, authors Stacy Denney and Kate Hodson provide an effective, holistic approach to postpartum fitness. They offer wise counsel on finding the time and energy to shape up gradually at first (because as we all know, it doesn't happen overnight), and they motivate moms to amp it up as your baby grows. From simple exercises to do with baby close by to full body workouts when baby is sleeping, Fit Mama comes with fully illustrated step-by-step directions and lots of encouragement along the way. I can't wait to read it!! Find it here.

Cookbooks by... you

Hello Moms!
It's that time of year again! With just 38 days before Mother's Day, the 2nd Annual Cookbook for Moms is online and underway.
Last year, Food Network celebrity chef, Nigella Lawson, contributed to our effort and helped us debut the cookbook . This year, the special contributor will be a surprise.
Once again, we're turning to our active community and moms everywhere to participate in this fun and charitable project. From now until April 16th, we'll be collecting your recipes, submitted online, and the community will vote on their favorites. Top entries will then be selected for publication in this year's Cookbook for Moms, giving credit and recognizing each contributor. It's a great gift idea and a family collectible. Tell your friends!


{copied via mothersclick.com}

It's A Boy!

After reading the Boys Will Be Boys article in this April Parent's Magazine {not available online, but it is on page 54 if you have or want a copy} I will be buying the book It's A Boy! by the same author, Michael Thompson Ph.D. What he wrote was exactly what I needed to hear after experiencing a frustrating week with my four year old son. It really helped me to better understand and handle him and the situations we are getting into. I can't wait to read more!

Blurb

I've been meaning to post about Blurb.com, and their great software for slurping a blog into a book, but the wonderful Design Mom just did it for me. If any of you are like me and are interested in turning your family blog into a scrapbook of sorts, you must check this out.

So, for all of us bloggers who would like to preserve all the things or memories we've deemed worthy of keeping track of, read Design Mom's post, or check out Blurb for yourself!

Blurb isn't just for blogging. You can make anything you dream of into a book with their service. This could be a great way to categorize your child's artwork over the years: Just scan or photograph it and put it on your computer with all pertinent information and eventually you'll have enough art for their own personal book (and save yourself lots of storage space!).

Baby Signs

While some people have mixed feelings about teaching your child to sign before they talk, I highly recommend it. Teaching both of my kids a few simple signs really made it easier for us to communicate and enjoy each other before they started to talk. There are few things more fulfilling then watching your child glow with pride and a sense of accomplishment when they learn or discover something new, and watching their face when they realize that you understand the point they are trying to get across is priceless.

I really loved the book Baby Signs. It is full of all sorts of useful and informative information about communicating with your baby, and includes lots of signs to help you get started. I liked that this program mixes American Sign Language with "baby signs," encouraging you to find the combination that works best for you and your baby. For us, this made signing that much easier to remember and follow through with.

To learn more about this program check out Baby Sign's website. They offer quite a range of products and information. You can buy this book through the website or Amazon.com, or check a local bookstore or library.

Raising Healthy Eaters

I bought this book when I was pregnant with my daughter. I was looking for a book that would teach me how to encourage my kids to be healthy eaters. Dr. Henry Legere has such helpful and concise advice in his book: 100 tips for Parents; Raising Healthy Eaters. This has been such a great book to reference. Tip #18: Make mealtime a fun and courteous time.

Baby and Toddler Owner's Manuals

The Baby Owner's Manual:
Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance.

Does anyone else find this title absolutely hilarious?!? This book would make an entertaining and useful stocking stuffer for any new parent, and strikes me as the perfect gift for the expectant or new father!

And just when you get the baby part figured out, you can move on to the next installment: The Toddler Owner's Manual!

New Parent Apology Cards

I had to chuckle when I came across these. Since I am pregnant with my first, I don't really know how it feels to be the parent of the kid who won't stop screaming on the plane. I can only imagine that leaving one of these cards behind would ease a little bit of tension between you as a parent and the person/people who might just be a little angry that your child screamed his way through their dinner. Find them here.

The Expectant Father

Dad's could use a little help when it comes to being prepared for a baby, and what better way to help them than buying this great book by Armin A. Brott. My husband actually finished this whole book and started to think he was the expert on babies! Check out the entire New Father series here.

Baby's First Meals

When it comes to our children's health I think all parents will agree that only the very best will do. Annabel Karmel's book, "First Meals," is a great way start your baby out on the path to being a healthy eater. This book has step by step instructions for making your baby's first pureed foods and many delicious recipes for picky toddlers. You'll find several colorfully displayed pictures of the recipes and every tool you will need to make them. You will also find very helpful information about the vitamins and minerals your babies and toddlers need. Click here to find out more about this book and where to purchase it. And don't forget to check out other great books by Annabel Karmel.

Kids are Worth it!

Are you a "brick wall" family or a "jellyfish" family? This parenting book gives awesome examples on to teach your children to think for themselves, and be responsible. It focuses on being positive, disciplining with a purpose and how to effectively praise your children. It is easy reading and a fantastic resources for anyone who has a strong willed child (like myself) Click here to find out more!

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

This book is all about sleep. It covers from birth to the teen years. It has great information about why sleep is so important. Not just sleep, but quality sleep. This book will convince anyone that naps for babies and toddlers are a necessity, not just a break for us moms. It reads a little medical, but it's worth it. Find it at amazon.com, or pick it up at your local book store.

A Good Book

As I was searching the web for a book of children's activities, I came across this one. It looks like a fabulous investment for my library, and hopefully yours. You can buy it here.

Deceptively Delicious

I have mixed feelings about the whole "hide the veggies so the kids don't know they're there" approach to mealtime, but find myself very excited to try out Deceptively Delicious, available as of today! I read an article about the background of this book, and was impressed with Jessica Seinfeld's food philosophies and approach to making sure her children are eating good food. I'll still serve vegetables in recognizable forms, but plan on using her book for my kid's picky phases and to improve our eating overall. I ordered my copy at amazon.com this morning, and can't wait to try it out.

The Girlfriend's Guides

The Girlfriend's Guides by Vicki Iovine are a must read for anyone wanting a very realistic and entertaining view of being a Mom. There are different guides for varying stages of motherhood: pregnancy, the first year, toddlers, and getting your groove back. I suggest heading to the local library or bookstore and reading the most applicable copy this week! Vicki Iovine lets you in on little-talked about realities and helps you to see the humor in the wonderful experiences that come with being a Mom. I actually shed tears from laughing so hard at many places in these books - Enjoy!

Best Baby Products

This book is a guide to the best of everything baby from A to Z. If you're wondering what to buy, this might be a good place to start. It's available through the Consumer Reports website.

A Must for New Mothers

This was one of my favorite books about what to do with a new baby. It not only talks about how to get your baby to sleep, but it teaches you how to tune into your baby and meet their needs. It is a fun read and very informational. A must for any new mother or any mother of a young baby in need of some help. You can buy it at amazon.com

or at any local bookstore.