Posts from — August 2008

So you’ve decided to take an airplane trip with your little one, but have chosen to skip out on buying them a ticket for their own seat. You think, he’s too small or I can hold onto her; nothing will happen. The FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, don’t currently require children under 2 to travel in a child seat or to even have their own seat. Of course, by enforcing this would cause airlines to lose customers who don’t want to pay for an extra ticket. Well, even if your baby isn’t that heavy and you feel that you can hold on tight enough during turbulence and emergencies – think again. During these instances, a 25-pound baby can weigh twice or even three times as much, making it difficult to hold on to.

Before you think about pocketing the money for your baby’s ticket, consider getting an FAA approved child seat.

If your child isn’t so small and weighs over 40 lbs, CARES can be used instead of a child seat. It’s specifically made for plane seats, not for cars.

You can also use a regular car seat that meets FAA requirements. You can find this on the tag or box of the seat, which will read “FAA Approved”. It should be clear that the child seat is made for both vehicles and aircrafts, so check before you buy.

I think this is a wonderful invention. The Gogo Kidz Travelmate is perfect for toting around your luggage, car seat and, of course, child. No more worrying about holding your kids hand or pushing a large stroller. You get the best of both worlds.

Before you buy a new child seat or bring along the one you have, call the airline to find out the measurements of the plane seats; some may be too narrow to fit your child seat. The airline can also give you recommendations as well.

It’s kind of funny when you think about it, infants in prison, but it is a real fact for many penitentiaries around the U.S. Mothers who were arrested while pregnant or have a young infant are sometimes allowed to have their babies live in the prison with them (is that really fair?). I guess it’s a good thing because these new moms get the chance to bond with their babies; plus the prisons believe that allowing this will decrease the mother’s chances of being incarcerated again. It is also hoped that the next generation child will stay out of jail.

The program is only available to the mothers who have been convicted of non-violent crimes and have short sentences. There is a scheduled routine – the inmate moms wake-up, change diapers, dress their babies then take a walk. Around 11 am, it’s nap-time for the infants. There are also scheduled activities in the nursery where the babies sleep (story time, play time, etc).

Here are some cute outfits for these BBBs:

This “I’m too pretty for jail” onesie is adorable; hopefully she’ll be out soon…

“I love prison psychologists” … don’t we all?

These penitentiary onesies can be purchased by the state.

And can’t forget the baby prison stripes!

A protest at Disneyland apparently got pretty heated as costume-clad employees marched for health care benefits and were subsequently arrested. I can see the point the protesters are trying to make by wearing Disney costumes, but I think that point gets muted by just how cute and slightly absurd they all look. When I look at the face of the angry Mickey Mouse protester, I can only hear Mickey’s cartoon voice, and I just start giggling non-stop.

Whew. Thank goodness it’s Friday. I can’t handle any more crazy news this week.

Just a quick reminder: The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning will be available for a limited time starting August 26th!

I watched the sneak peak, and it looks pretty good…not to give too much of the plot away, but apparently there is a ban on all music in the kingdom of Triton and Ariel is once again breaking rules by sneaking away to underground(water?) octopus calypso club. There was also a slight hint that perhaps Ariel’s mom died in a music-related tragedy, and I appreciate the attempt to explain her absence. Additionally, the animation is really great, so adults will find that The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning is both tolerable and enjoyable.

Like I mentioned earlier, this Little Mermaid DVD won’t be around forever, so pre-order it soon and score big at holiday gift giving time!

Dora the Explorer is joining forces with Nintendo Wii for the first time ever this holiday season in Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess. I have a feeling this latest addition to the universe of Dora games is going to be a huge hit among pre-school aged kids, so mark the October 27th release date on your calendar now to avoid any last-minute rushes to the mall in December.

I do not get the Hannah Montana trend at all, so I have been trying to avoid writing about it. Sadly, both Hannah Montana and her alter ego Miley Cyrus seem to be here to stay for a while, especially now that kids can get their very own back-to-school Hannah Montana Wake Up Call, so I guess it’s time for me to delve into this phenomena.

I guess it’s safe to say that I am in disbelief that things have gotten this far. Hannah Montana is both the title and star of an Emmy Nominated TV Show and a record-breaking movie, and Miley was even nominated for an MTV VMA award for Best New Artist last week. Really, people? This is what passes for talent and quality entertainment these days? Sigh. I don’t get it. I mean, the show/movie is starring a girl named Miley Cyrus playing a girl named Miley Stewart who is an incognito rock star named Hannah Montana. But then there are actual Hannah Montana concerts performed by Miley Cyrus pretending to be Hannah Montana, sometimes also simultaneously performing as Miley Cyrus. It’s mind boggling, and perhaps best not to think about.

The upside is of all this nonsense is that Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus is totally beloved by girls aged 2-12, so Hannah Montana inspired gifts are sure to be a big hit with the little girls in your life. Here are some cool ideas:

• Hannah Montana Clothes - Little girls love cool t-shirts.

• Hannah Montana Mix Max Digital Media Player - Great for kids who hate iPods.

• Hannah Montana Mall Madness Game - Because good consumers are made, not born.

First Death Threat Elmo, now this: a Fisher Price “Go, Diego, Go!” walkie-talkie reportedly picked up some questionable trucker banter in West Virginia. Apparently there was talk of marijuana and strippers, but the humor of the overheard conversation was ultimately lost on the mom of the tot who owned the walkie-talkie kids’ toys. She’s asking Fisher-Price for a recall, but maybe she should look at this as an opportunity: the intercepted trucker conversations sound more exciting than an episode of Law & Order! Plus, a walkie-talkie that can pick up a signal almost 300 miles away would probably have tons of bidders in an online auction!

We’re very accustom to how quickly Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt extend their family, especially when the three well-known adoptions (Maddox, Pax and Zahara) and their daughter Shiloh come to mind. You may have already read all of the headlines about their newborn twins Vivienne and Knox, but have you heard that Brangelina are now considering adopting a Chinese baby (I know what you’re thinking, ‘is she starting a collection of babies from around the world?’)

The earthquake that took place in China in May this year has left tons of orphans. The concept of this has devastated Brangelina and now has them considering adopting one or two Chinese babies (two if they are siblings). I can’t imagine how hectic the Jolie-Pitt household is with so many children, but it seems they are happy with it (I still can’t believe how Brad went from having no kids to 6 kids in less than five years).

Angie has begun making calls to relief workers in China as part of her UN involvement.

So how serious is she? Well, she’s already got her hands on a couple of photos of orphaned Chinese children – you decide. I think it’s great how she is so quick to open her doors (and wallet) to those really in need.

Make sure to keep an eye out for one or two Chinese additions to the Brangelina household.

The little girls in your life may love their Disney Princess bedding and their Princess Pocahontas dolls, but not everyone loves the Disney Princesses. Here are some varying opinions of the Disney Princess phenomena and “The Princess Effect”:

• The New York Times: What’s Wrong With Cinderella?
• Princess Propaganda
• Dr. Gwen Is In: The Princess Effect - Good, Bad, Neither?
• Gearhead Mom: The Counter-Princess-Propaganda Product Program
• Feministe: The Disney Princess Industrial Complex is Coming for Your Soul!

Here are some novel ideas to soothe screaming babies:

Cry No More pacifier: For the baby that likes his binky with some Fava beans and a nice Chianti.

Baby Massage: I think I speak for all babies when I say baby massage sounds like a fantastic idea.

A funky rocking chair: Because Mom and Dad need to relax just as much as Baby.

Slumber Bear: For the discerning baby who demands “ACTUAL intra-uterine recorded womb sounds” in his sleep aids.