By Marianne M. Szymanski, founder of Toy Tips Research Institute When you’re on the nest, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying mounds of stuffed animals and new toys to fill the nursery. Instead, keep your own shopping list simple—leave the expensive giant teddy and motorized choo-choo to your rich Aunt Matilda. After all, a child’s first (and best) plaything is … [Read more...] about Child’s Play
Baby
Baby’s first manicure
In the very beginning, you might only need an emery board. Yes, they make baby-sized emery boards! Some newborn’s nails are so soft that a clipper or scissors just aren’t necessary. But some babes have nails that are too thin for filing. Either way, once you’re ready to move on to the heavy machinery, just follow these simple tips for baby's first manicure. The first few … [Read more...] about Baby’s first manicure
Birthday Blowout
By Sheri Kasprzak When we threw my son Gabriel a first birthday party, I anticipated an icing-covered face and adorable grin. Instead, every photo taken that day shows child who’s far more confused than happy. Did I overdo it? Probably. Your baby won’t remember her first birthday, but you’ll still want to commemorate this special milestone. So how do you plan a party that … [Read more...] about Birthday Blowout
The Diaper Dilemma
By Laura Liang If green is the new black, baby diapers are anything but stylish. It turns out that all diapering choices—cloth, disposable, and hybrid—come with potential problems for Mother Earth. Because no method is absolutely environmentally friendly, the quandary persists: Wash or toss? Unfortunately, science hasn’t yet settled the debate. Until recently, studies on … [Read more...] about The Diaper Dilemma
Let’s Go, Baby!
By Linda Childers Shelly Rivoli of El Cerrito, CA, initially thought her days of taking long, exotic vacations would be put on hold after the birth of her daughter, Angelina, now 4. “One day, when Angelina was an infant, I was bouncing her on my lap and I realized I could be doing that anywhere in the world,” Rivoli says. “By the time she turned 2, she’d crawled, cruised, or … [Read more...] about Let’s Go, Baby!