Strollerderby : kid-friendly

New Edition: What They're Babbling About

JeanneSager — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:31:00 GMT

We're introducing a new feature here on Strollerderby this week, one that will hopefully show up every Friday. We'd like to think we cover all the parenting news that's fit to type up, but we've got little monkeys running around our houses that sometimes demand our attention too.

Fortunately, a few of our friends outside the crib fill in for us. And Strolllerderby's bringing them home. We'll give you a look at What They're Babbling About every week, so you can have a playdate with us.

So what's the babble been like this week?

Good Enough Mother Rene Syler remembers begging for the white dolls that her friends had because there were none out there that looked just like her. With the hype (and mini scandal) over the now-renamed Sasha and Malia dolls, she ponders - is the attention on black girls good for little ones? - Parent Dish

Wondering what the baby's really thinking? Belle Vivir's got a letter from the baby to the Big Guy upstairs. And if you're expecting mush, look elsewhere because this baby's got some attitude. - Belle Vivir

If your Net Nanny's keeping out all the good stuff (like searchines of crib bedding people, come on, get your minds out of the gutter) how about a pile of kid-friendly Web search engines? - MOMformation

If there's no man around to play daddy, you're perfectly fine on your own. But you could always join forces with a bunch of other single moms to make your own big happy family. - Jezebel

So you hand your maternity clothes off to a friend who's got a bun in the oven and . . . uh oh, you're preggers. Can you ask for the clothes back? - Alpha+Mom

Image: Jezebel

Crafty: Mother's Day Quickie

Adrienne Martini — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:00:00 GMT

You put it off again, didn't you? Mother's Day is just around the corner and you're floundering around for a meaningful but not too tedious handmade gift that expresses all of your love for your mom. Here's one idea.

With one quick trip to a craft store, you can make this photo fridge clip for mom. Plus, it can have glitter on it. As long as it's not all over her nice, clean floor, all moms love glitter.

If you're really feeling guilty, the best part may be what you choose to put in the clip before you wrap it and hand it off. Think of the possibilities. A massage gift certificate. Tickets to Bermuda. Two weeks worth of maid service. Or, even better, all three.

You can thank me later.

Photo credit: Craftster user AidanNia

Fancy Restaurant to Mom: This is No Place for Kids

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:18:00 GMT

A family in Bend, Oregon was refused service at a local restaurant because they brought a baby along. The servers at upscale restaurant Baltazar told Yvette Nishikawa they didn't have a high chair for her baby because they didn't 'specialize in children.' After leaving the restaurant, Ms. Nishikawa called the owner who reiterated that he didn't want to encourage patrons to bring their kids to dine.

Then, she blogged about it. And the furor took off from there. Angry posts went up encouraging families with kids to boycott Baltazar's, and pretty soon the other side started weighing in.

In my view, there are times and places for children. A fancy restaurant and a spa are two occasions when the presence of children is disruptive and inappropriate. There are plenty of kid-friendly dining experiences you can have with your kids in nearly every city. Why do you need to go to a white-table cloth establishment in order to enjoy a family night out? And truly, is anything more annoying than having a nice mommy break at a spa overrun by misbehaving kids who scream and carry-on?

Strollerderby : kid-friendly

New Edition: What They're Babbling About

Green Expert Says: Limit Kids to Two

Can Your Kid Doodle the Google Doodle?

Is the Sitter Just There to Watch the Kids?

Crafty: Mother's Day Quickie

Fancy Restaurant to Mom: This is No Place for Kids