Parent TrapsParent TrapsNews and current events related to family, mom's and dad's and kids. I also cover topics about working from home. As a Floridian, you'll also be subjected to my rants and raves about doing all this in Florida. Articles
Dads Pimp Themselves for Hannah Montana
2007-10-18 15:17:00 Whoa, I wish I could have entered Tim in this contest! 150 dads actually donned high heels to try to win tickets to a Hannah Mont ana contest. I wish there were better ways to actually get tickets. They also mentioned that Disney is trying help the fans out by filming a 3-D film of her concert with plans to feature it in movie theatres in February 2008! We'll be there for sure! More About: Pimp , Hannah Montana
North Carolina Coupon Site Saves You Money!
2007-10-16 15:43:00 At NCNatural's Adventure site they have a wonderful list of national Online Coupons where you can save money on national brands, while supporting a great North Carolina website. You can get money saving coupons for your favorite retailers, like Lillian Vernon and Franklin Covey, two of my favorites for gift giving opportunities.The are growing, and updating the site everyday to add new offers from hundreds of merchants. This is great way to find money saving deals and to do your Christmas shopping ahead of time and online to save gas money.It's really easy to find the merchants you love. So take a look and don't pay retail this holiday season! More About: Money , Site
Disney Introduces Veggies for Kids
2007-10-16 15:08:00 This seems like a good move and a natural one for Disney to promote. They are rolling out a new line of Disney branded fruits and veggies. They are introducing them this week, including Disney Garden Foodles, which will be combinations of fruits, vegetables and other sides like dips, raisins, crackers or cheese in a Mickey Mouse-shaped tray, and Disney Garden Fresh Veggies & Sauce, which will be cut vegetables with a pouch of specially formulated sauce which can be microwaved.We are having a terrible time getting our veggie-challenged children to eat fruits and veggies, so maybe we can reintroduce them with some of these. They were certainly fed tons of them as babies and toddlers, but their father is a non-veggie eater, so we have a double-challenge on our hands. Maybe I can feed them to him too ;) More About: Kids
Blog Action Day
2007-10-15 18:46:00 I'm participating and encouraging everyone to take a little stand to help our environment. Just do one thing and it will help our world be a better place. Just take those plastic rings that hold your soda cans and cut them into tiny pieces before you place them into the trash. This keeps birds and small animals from getting their heads caught and dying a horrible death...perhaps at a landfill. Better yet, reduce your trash, be sure to recycle and try to use recyclable materials.Please consider participating in today's event. Go here for more information! More About: Action , Blog
California Bans Chemical Found in Toys - More to Follow?
2007-10-15 14:53:00 As reported by Yahoo, Calif ornia is the first state to ban the use of more than one tenth of one percent phthalate in toys. It is commonly used to make toys and goods soft and pliable, such as rubber ducks, soft books, teething toys, and baby bottles. I have personally tried to reduce the number of toys we have in our home that fit this description. We already tossed the rubber ducks because of lead paint concerns. But I know we already have had years of soft chewy toy exposure in our home. At this point, all we can do is hope harm has not been done.Worries about the effects of phthalate have been communicated in the USA for years. Phthalates have been banned by the European Union and at least 14 other countries after studies found that the chemical interferes with hormones and might lead to early puberty, reproduction defects and other health problems.Other states are considering banning the toys and goods made with these chemicals. I would suggest a major purge of the toy box and... More About: Toys , Chemical , Chem
I got My Bumbo Evil Pomeranian Mug and Shirts!
2007-10-13 22:05:00 I am writing this because I just got my box of Ready Set Bumbo movie related "stuff" that I ordered as Christmas presents for the two girls. This is not a paid ad, but I wanted to tell you that these things are soooo cute, and if want some fun internet-related Christmas gifts, you can't beat t-shirts and mugs with that cute little baby, her evil clone and/or the evil Pomeranian, Kodi (Cody?), from the Bumbo videos! My kids will watch these videos over and over and over....You can find the "stuff for sale" at their website http://www.ready-set-bumbo.com/. You can watch all three Ready Set Bumbo videos here on my videos page. Happy shopping! More About: Shirts , Evil , Meran , Rani
I Used to Make Fun of Soccer Moms....
2007-10-13 14:40:00 Really, I did! That was in the days that media was touting the soccer mom as being the "typical mom" of the day, driving her Chrysler minivan, with 2.5 kids to every soccer game and working for the PTO, maybe working, maybe not. Fast forward ten years and where am I? At a soccer game every weekend watching the little one play. We did drive a van for a few years, but really it was terrible - bad motor! Now I still have an SUV (bought one month before the gas prices soared) bad move...but I use it to tote the children around to their various events: soccer, dance classes, yearbook meetings, girl scouts, Odyssey of the Mind is starting, volunteering at school....Yes, it's me!Keep in mind that I spent fifteen years as a single, corporate, do-nothing- but-work-woman. I really didn't have extracurricular activities outside of my work friends..well, maybe my cat (but that's another story). I really do enjoy having the children as the main focus of my life at this time. I am blessed to h... More About: Soccer , Make , Moms
Hannah Montana Concert Tickets Too Hot to Buy
2007-10-13 01:05:00 I've updated this post to include this new link that says that Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus are aware of this scalping and thus far don't seem to know what to do about it. Disney also seems quite mute on how to fix it. Here's what I said before:My daughters would love to go to a Hannah Montana concert, just like about every girl (and boy) in America. Unfortunately the power-moguls-that-be have made that impossible. Apparently, the tickets are selling out within just a few minutes of going on sale. Then the scalpers and ticket sellers are marking them up, in some cases over $2000 per ticket, according to my friend, MaryAnn, who lives near Tampa.Her daughter's birthday is coming up and she had hoped to take her and friends to the Tampa, FL show for one of the big gifts. She and four of friends were logged in for the recent ticket sale and she said ALL the tix were gone in 3 minutes! I smell a robot!Disney, wake up! Don't disenfranchise the people who keep you going! Do something t... More About: Concert , Tickets , Hannah Montana
Leaded Lipstick - Ask for Change
2007-10-12 15:56:00 The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is reported that tests they conducted on popular lipstick brands showed unacceptable levels of lead as an ingredient. From their test results they found the following results:"The lead tests were conducted by an independent laboratory in September on lipsticks bought in Boston, Hartford, Conn., San Francisco and Minneapolis. More than half of the 33 brand-name lipsticks tested contained detectable levels of lead, with levels ranging from 0.03 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm). One-third of the tested lipsticks exceeded the FDA guideline for lead in candy, 0.1 ppm, established to reduce lead exposure among children. Even though lipstick products, like candy, are directly ingested and absorbed into the body, the FDA has not set a limit for lead in lipstick. It’s part of a disturbing pattern of lax safety standards in the $50 billion personal care products industry. "Among the leading brands found to contain lead were:L’OrealColour Riche “True Red”... More About: Lipstick , Change , Chang , Chan , Tick
Recalls and MORE Recalls....JC Penney, Cracker Barrel, Cub Scouts, Starbuck
2007-10-12 01:09:00 It's getting harder to keep up with all the lead paint and other hazardous recalls just in the past few days alone. I haven't posted all of them here but I am going to post the most recent ones because we all need to check our toys and be safer! This list from Consumer Product Safety Commission has many different retailers, brands and items. Please visit their website for more details and photos of all of the products listed here.From October 9, 2007 Recall List:Cub Scouts Totem BadgesUnits: About 1.6 millionDistributor: Kahoot Products Inc., of Roswell, Ga.Hazard: The surface paints on the badges contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.Incidents/Injuries: None reported. The recalled Cub Scout Totem Badges measure 4½ inches x 3 inches with a square portion measuring 2¼ inches x 2¼ inches. The Boy Scout emblem is printed on the badge along with a wolf and bear. “PROGRESS TOWARD RANKS” is also printed on the badge.Sold at: Boy Scouts of Ame... More About: Penney , Penne , Cracker , Cracker Barrel , Barrel
Children's Cough and Cold Medicines Recalled
2007-10-11 20:29:00 Major cough and cold medicines for children have been voluntarily recalled from the store shelves. Recent studies have been saying for a while now that children under two years old should never be given cough or cold medicines, even those formulated for children, due to adverse reactions.I know my kids got these when they were little and it scares me to think what might have happened if I had accidentally given too much. They were sick little buggers! Actually, they still are, but now they are bigger.Affected brands are:Johnson & Johnson Pediacare Infant Drops and Tylenol Concentrated Infants Drops, Wyeth's Dimetapp Decongestant Infant Drops, Novartis' Triaminic Infant & Toddler Thin Strips and Prestige Brands Holdings' Little Cold s Decongestant Plus Cough . More About: Medicines , Recalled
What Time Is It?
2007-10-10 17:22:00 You'd never have to ask that again if you had one of the gorgeous Howard Miller clocks available from 1-800-4Clocks.com. My favorite style is the Grandfather Clock.My grandparents had a beautiful old one, but the problem is that you can't divide one clock between four grandchildren for an inheritance, can you? Howard Miller's Truman Grandfather Clock looks just like the old clock, but it is even more beautiful. It is a beautiful floor clock that offers an impressive, arched pediment which features bookmatched, olive ash burl overlays, with an elaborate dial. This one would be beautiful in the family room, right where a grandfather clock should preside over the room. This is a wonderful way for our family to have something that looks beautiful, looks like it's older, is well-made and adds character to our home. And we don't fight over it, because we can all get one!At their clock blog, where you can learn everything about clocks there is to know, they are currently hosting a Clo... More About: Time
More Hot Toys
2007-10-08 17:08:00 I posted my list a few days back, but here's another list of hot toys for Christmas 2007 from Toy Wishes Magazine (in alphbetical order):American Idol Talent ChallengeThink you’ve got what it takes to make it on American Idol? Well, now you can give it a try without ever leaving your home. Connect the unit to your TV, pop in the DVD and give it a whirl. The unit comes with a working microphone and mixer and 12 songs to test your talent. Use it in Karaoke mode. Try the echo effects. Compete with friends who’ll rate you using the DVD remote. And then face the judges. You’ll hear reactions to your performance from Randy, Paula and Simon. From Tech2Go. 8+ $49.99Aqua Dots Super StudioThis is one of the most innovative activity sets we’ve seen in a long time! Use the translucent, multicolored beads to create all kinds of cool designs. Follow the included templates, or create your own. When your creation is picture perfect, give it a spray with water, and the dots magically adhere... More About: Toys
Bumbo III Video is Out - Baby Versus Clone!
2007-10-05 19:06:00 It's finally out - the new Bumbo Video ! Cool Beans! I love this series! Check out Bumbo I and Bumbo II in the archives at http://www.parent-traps.com/2007/08/ready -set-bumbo-ii.html and at http://www.parent-traps.com/2007/08/ready -set-bumbo.html.This filmmaker Dad is a genius! And, of course, the baby and Cody, the dog, are the cutest! More About: Baby , Clone , Versus , Baby V
Slow Down....RELAX Mon!
2007-10-05 17:26:00 I'm Stacey's dog, Buddy! I love working from home, chillin' with a homemade milkbone shake, and wearing hawaiian shirts. No more corporate life for me! You can slow down too by getting your own stuff at http://www.madgringo.com/, mon! More About: Relax , Slow
Can Fall Be Coming Soon, Really, Maybe??
2007-10-05 17:10:00 I live in Florida - where it's hot pretty much all the time. My daughter asked this morning, why doesn't it snow here? I had to explain about our semi-tropical climate, blah, blah, blah (that's how she heard it, I'm sure). She said she wanted to move somewhere where it snows all the time. I explained that I didn't think there was such a place, except maybe Antartica. She assured me there was and that we must move there. Where is it people? Even Alaska has a summer! We need a cooler temperature and are ready to go! More About: Fall , Ally
Lost A Filling? Just Drink Heavily 'Til Monday.....
2007-10-05 03:21:00 "Lost a filling, hmmm, my advice.....drink heavily 'til Monday , " was the advice given to me in my long ago past as a student at University of Florida. This advice was dispensed by several UF dental students someone told me to call. So I took their advice, until Monday, when I could see a real dentist, along with a hangover. I managed to numb the pain somewhat, but, rum does not cure all ills, Captain Jack Sparrow....I wish I'd had temporary dental repair materials available, instead of liquor (maybe both at the time). Dentemp OS is a one step temporary filling material that you can use to fix lose or lost fillings or even to temporarily cement a loose crown. One great thing is that it is ready to use, so you can get pain relief immediately, instead of living in a Captain Morgan-induced haze for 48 hours. And it was developed by a real dentist (not a pack of dental students - lol)...And you can eat within 30 minutes of using it, so you do have to forgo that big dinner date when th... More About: Drink
Surviving the World of the Teacher Conference
2007-10-05 02:48:00 I just spent the last two weeks walking on eggshells with my daughter's teacher. The Princess, who is in kindergarten, is a very bright child. I went in to discuss how she is progressing and was met with a brick wall and have spent quite a bit of time making sure that her advanced learning needs are being met. After several meetings with our principal, I do believe thing will improve for her. But I'm not sure they would have without that meeting. Bottom line is that you've got to stand up for your kids - they can't do it alone. More About: World , The World , Teacher , Conference , Vivi
What Do You Do In Your Garage?
2007-10-03 23:40:00 Things that have been done in my garage (through the various ones that I've had over the years): 1) Stored a whole houseload of furniture for a longggg Time (currently)2) Kept hurricane supplies at the ready (through all those Florida hurricanes of the recent past)3) My cat had kittens in there on a high, high shelf when I was going off to college (circa 1981)4) My dog died in the garage (when I was in high school, of an apparent heart attack) ;(5) I had a disco party for all my friends in 1977 (it was the era of disco balls, remember!) Those are some major things that I can remember doing, I'm sure y'all have some more. There are a lot of garages that need renovating or updating or organizing out there. Before you have your own retro disco party in your own garage check out ideas at http://www.carguygarage.com/. More About: Garage
A Great Source for Independent Films and DVD's
2007-10-03 23:08:00 There's a cool new site out there to help film aficionados locate those new and hard to find independent films, called Film Fresh. Film Fresh is an online destination for anybody interested in quality international and American independent films. They are currently featuring Molly Shannon's acclaimed film, The Year of the Dog. The site features 600+ films from around the world, along with a blog addressing film issues of interest. They have recent updates from the Toronto Film Festival. All films can be purchased on DVD, and many can also be obtained via download for rental or purchase. Keep great cinema alive. More About: Films , Great , Source , Independent , Epen
Stop the Abuse - Sexual Trafficking Must End
2007-09-28 01:52:00 Today is Bloggers Unite Day and we're uniting against all kinds of abuse. This just gives me another reason to write about a subject that I have profiled on this blog before. Just today in our city, Jacksonville, Florida, the police arrested a ring of sexual traffickers who had been "importing" women from south and central America to use as sexual slaves for migrant and/or illegal workers in Florida.This happens everywhere! It's not just happening to foreign women and children brought into this country to abuse. Women and children are being kidnapped and sold right here in the United States in order to fill the depraved needs of sexual deviants. One organization that really makes a difference here and abroad to help people get out of this prison and to prevent it from happening to others is the Ricky Martin Foundation - People for Children. Ricky has been working tirelessly for years to help get the word out among the various governments and leaders in countries around the world t... More About: Abuse , Stop , Sexual
Another Recall - Kolcraft Play Yard Strangulation Hazard
2007-09-27 22:10:00 From the Consumer Product Safety Commission - this is one for you with small children and babies to look out for!Kolcraft Recall s Play Yard s AFter the Death of a 10-Month-Old ChildFirm's Recall Hotline: (888) 655-8484CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product SafetyCommission (CPSC), Kolcraft Enterprises Inc., of Chicago, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 425,000 infant play yards following the death of a child.CPSC received a report of a 10-month old boy who strangled on the changing table's restraint strap that was hanging down into Kolcraft's"Sesame Beginnings" Travel Play Yard where the child was located. Twelve different Kolcraft play yards are included in this recall. All of the play yards have raised changing tables with a restraint strap that forms a loop beneath the changing table, posing a strangulation hazard to a child in the play yard. In addition to the strangulation hazard with the changing table restraint strap, one play yard also... More About: Hazard , Tran
Freeze It Saves the Day!
2007-09-27 19:15:00 Freeze It gel saves the day while I train for "Survivor"! It provided fast topical pain relief and helped me keep on going! More About: Freeze , Saves the Day , Aves
More Toy Recalls Due to Lead Paint
2007-09-27 02:21:00 A big ole' pile of toy recalls came out today via the Consumer Product Safety Commission for lead paint hazard. You can go to their website for more details, but here's the lowdown:Expanded Recall of Toby Children's Jewelry Sets:Name of Product: TOBY & ME Jewelry SetsUnits: About 23,500 (about 14,000 jewelry sets were recalled on August 22, 2007)Importer: TOBY N.Y.C., of New York, N.Y.Hazard: The recalled metal jewelry sets contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.Incidents/Injuries: None reported.Description: This recall involves jewelry sets sold in different styles: a pink and clear crystal bead necklace and bracelet set with a painted metallic crown pendant; a pink and white pearl necklace and bracelet set with a painted metallic poodle pendant; and a pink pearl necklace, earrings and ring set. This recall is expanded to include two additional styles: a pink crystal and wood bead necklace and bracelet se... More About: Paint
Learn About Finance and Stocks in a Free and Fun Way
2007-09-26 22:26:00 If you enjoy social networking mixed with cutting edge learning about stocks and investing, you'll enjoy using MyWallSt.net. You'll make new friends and enjoy the benefits of having them available to help you make financial decisions, especially stock picks. You can socialize while you increase your knowledge to build your own net worth, plus it's free! You'll trade real stocks with virtual money to learn about stock-picking quickly.This is the cutting edge way to stay on top of the financial markets, with real time information and discussions. If you are new to investing and stocks, you can improve your learning curve quickly by using the investing tools to try out your stock picking without the risks of using real money. As a mom or a parent, what a great way to build your knowledge in an easy and fun way! It's been a while since I did our family's investing, but you definitely can make some bad mistakes if you don't know what you are doing.Traditional financial magazines... More About: Finance , Stocks , Free , Learn , Fina
Is There A Way to Stop Childhood Obesity?
2007-09-25 15:17:00 Is there a way to stop or prevent childhood obesity? It's very discouraging to read about how our children are barraged with advertisements for junk food. They have limited opportunities for playing outside and for physical education.As a society, we are seeing what is happening to us all. I can't help but believe that television was the start of our downfall and that it has caused health to spiral downward ever since its growing appeal in the 1950s. People stopped playing outside as much and even in my lifetime, children's abilities to just get out and play have dropped 500%. I used to be able to ride my bike, away from home, for hours and hours every day. My children now never leave my sight.Am I being too overprotective, given the sensational headlines about kidnapping and sexual offenders? Have any of you read the novel, Little Children, and seen how the author Tom Perrotta works this in to great effect in the story of "typical" suburban family life? The characters, like most... More About: Childhood , Obesity , Stop , Childhood obesity
The Fall Sickness Strikes Back
2007-09-23 16:12:00 Well, little Princess is very sick again. This happens every year without fail after the start of the school year. Within one week of the kids being in school, our entire household came down some kind of virulent virus (that would make a great band name, don't you think). Everyone except The Princess.I guess her little immune system worked hard, because now the rest of us are well and she is the bad one. We took her to the doctor on Friday, and he said it was just a little virus, cold or roseola. Now it has turned into ultra bronchitis and more. So after this post, I'm going to call him on Sunday and beg for antibiotics. They really don't like to give them anymore, but we always end up needing them! More About: Back , Sickness , Fall
Start a Profitable Home-Based Business
2007-09-23 14:27:00 I don't know about you, but at every single event our family attends, there are usually several bouncers and other jumping inflatables for the kids to enjoy. The kids will choose an event with bouncers over one without them! Someone is making money from all that!Jumpions, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer, specialized in backyard Inflatable Bouncers and products for parties and events. They have a great business offering for just purchasing your own bouncers and yard fun, or for starting your own work-from-home business.At the Jumpions website, you can find information about their products, which are all USA made. You can also order a catalog which includes bouncers, slides, inflatable games, water games, obstacle courses and sports items. These items would be great additions to your own family's playground. Each comes with all the blowers, mats, and accessories you need to get set up quickly.Jumpions not only makes wonderful inflatable products, but they also help their clients market, p... More About: Business , Home Based Business , Home , Start , Base
Baby Cribs Recalled Due to Strangulation Hazard
2007-09-21 20:14:00 Baby cribs are being recalled today due to strangulation hazard. Three children died due to strangulation. In all three deaths, the consumer had installed the drop-rail side of the crib upside down, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. This creates a gap in the crib that children can slide into and suffocate.Seven other infants have been entrapped in the cribs, according to the CPSC. There have been 55 reports of the cribs' drop sides detaching or the hardware failing to hold the side to the crib.Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., is listed as manufacturer of all the cribs, which were made in China. The recalled cribs were sold nationwide, under the Simplicity or Graco brands, from January 1998 through May 2007. The recall involves multiple models and models numbers. Please go to the Consumer Product Safety Commission website for the model details.None of the cribs that Simplicity currently supplies to stores is included in the recall, the company said in a statement. More About: Baby , Hazard , Recalled , Cribs , Tran
Making Your Vacation Plans Easier
More articles from this author:2007-09-20 14:41:00 DialaFlight is offering a cool way to take a short vacation with their city breaks program. You can take Short breaks from your busy working schedule and they'll arrange your hotels, Cheap Flights, transfers and Car hire, if you like. You can literally see the world as they have holiday offers for New York, Montreal, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Rio, Sydney, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.You can customize your vacation by type of trip you'd like to take such as, Beach Holidays, Weekend Breaks, Spa Holidays, Holiday Villas, Cruises or even African Safaris. They'll arrange travel vaccinations, insurance, or travel stopovers for you.You can make Reservations by calling 0870·333·4488 for Worldwide city breaks. You just pick the coolest city in the world and they'll arrange it! More About: Vacation , Plans , Makin 1, 2, 3, 4 |
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