I’ve never bought into the whole concept that candy makes kids hyperactive so I’ve never denied my children sweets when it came to holiday festivities. But, now there’s reason for the moms who do attribute their tykes’ energetic behavior to treats to relax. This Christmas, let your lil one have a candy cane. Guess what myth topped the list of holiday myths? To find out, read more.

On the subject of sugar making kids hyperactive, report said:

The researchers cite 12 controlled studies that couldn’t detect any differences in behavior between children who had sugar and those who did not. Even when kids had a diagnosis of hyperactivity problems or were said to be more sensitive to sugar, they did not behave differently whether they ate sugar-laden or sugar-free diets. In fact, the biggest effect of sugar may be on parents. Parents rate their children as being more hyperactive if they are told the child has consumed sugar — even when the child hasn’t really had any sweets.

 

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Make your tot’s next coloring project 3D! This doll house size cottage is made from recycled materials and is easy to put together for an afternoon of fun and creative energy. Instead of yet another picture on the refrigerator, your tot will be proud to have this displayed in the foyer for all to see when they come to the house for the holidays. You can even get crafty and get fake snow and tiny Christmas lights to be festive. Of course, I am throwing that out there when I, myself, am not at all crafty and would never be able to pull that off. But Auntie can come over and make this into a super fun project! At uncommen goods for only $20.

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While you can’t control traffic delays and TSA bottlenecks, you can make the trip easier for your tot and your fellow travelers by filling your carry-on with projects and toys that make time pass a little faster. For a look at some of our favorite in-flight activities.

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Imaginetics Magnetic Playboards ($5-8)

Flap Books $12

Aquadoodle Mini Mat  $12

Colorfelts Pockets $15

Crayola Color Wonder Packs $10

Sticker Books $7

Travel Magna Doodle $13

Personal DVD Player $150

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An amusement park for parents and children? Take me to it! Whether your child watches Sesame Street religiously or is a casual viewer, Sesame Place is destination for families looking for adventure this summer.

Located about 30 miles north of Philadelphia, the park features more than 30 attractions, including a dozen water rides, three live shows (including a live production of Elmo’s World), daily parades and visits from the entire Sesame crew. Unlike other parks we have reviewed, Sesame Place is designed for the seven and under crowd, meaning even toddlers are welcome on most rides. To see what makes Sesame Place special, read more.Inspired by the show’s characters, there are kiddie versions of the traditional pirate ship ride, an airplane ride, a brand new carousel, a simulated hot air balloon and the requisite tea cups.

But, he real action is over at the water rides, where you can take a leisurely inner-tube ride down Big Bird’s 1,000 foot Rambling River or swiftly glide though a system of water slides on a large raft with up to six of your nearest and dearest friends on the Sky Splash. The highlight of the trip for most visitors is the interaction with the Sesame characters. Throughout the day, the monsters wander around posing for pictures, giving out hugs and putting smiles small faces. The park is clean, smoke-free and of a manageable size. Bathrooms, with multiple changing tables, can be found throughout the park, and rarely have lines. The only downside of the park is their ticket policy, which requires all visitors over the age of 2 (adults and children) to pay the full ticket price of $48 per person.

 By Ericka Lutz

Eating out with toddlers doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Try these great tips to make your restaurant experiences more palatable.

OK, let’s get it straight: having kids doesn’t mean your life is over or that you have to sacrifice your social life. I’m passionate about this belief, especially when it comes to eating out, an activity our family long ago elevated to high hobby. I want my daughter to appreciate fine food and good dining as much as I do, so from the time she was born we’ve been hauling her to restaurants—and having a good time, too.

Granted, we’re unusual. If you’re like most parents, it’s been a long time since you ventured beyond the neighborhood pizza parlor with little ones. Remember those long ago days before kids when you used to go to real restaurants? Not McHotDog Queen. Not that faux Italian place in the mall with the floor sticky from spilled soda where they pass out free earplugs at the door to drown out the endless beeps and crashes of the video arcade. I’m talking about places with tablecloths and wait staff, not announcements over the loud speaker (“Number 12, your dinner is ready … number 12, please!”).

I know. Next month is your anniversary, and you plan to get a babysitter and go out. Until then … Until then …? That’s no way to live! While going out to eat with babies and toddlers can be a challenge, it isn’t impossible, foolhardy, or insane. It’s usually enjoyable. It does take a little practice but it’s worth it.

Here, then, is a quick hit version of everything I know about restauranteering with the under-five set.

Proper Preparation

• Leave your fears at home. Most people don’t mind children in restaurants as long as they aren’t disruptive. We’re not talking four-star, staid establishments here. There are a zillion informal and excellent restaurants in the world; some of them might even be in your hometown.
• Set reasonable expectations. Your child won’t be perfect, quiet, neat, and adventurous at first. Eating out is a skill—and as usual, practice makes perfect. The way to teach your little ones how to act in a restaurant is to take them to restaurants.
• Choose appropriate restaurants. Moderately priced ethnic restaurants, trendy university hangouts, casual but elegant dining of all kinds—these are all good choices. Focus especially on ethnic restaurants—most cultures are less uptight about children. (Some cultures even appreciate them!)
  • Take the edge off. Feed your child a little something in the car on the way. Not enough to fill her up, but enough so she isn’t dying of hunger while you wait. Alternatively, ask the wait staff for bread the moment you arrive.
  • Tote along a little kit of supplies (toys, food, coloring books). Stock your wallet with emergency stickers and bandages—not for injury, but for entertainment. Bring anything that your child enjoys that isn’t noisy, messy, or large.
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  Once at the Restaurant

  • Don’t try to sneak your baby in. Enlist the help of the restaurant staff. Introduce your baby to the host/hostess and say, “Hannah is really looking forward to your wonderful food!” The host/hostess will see how cute your baby is, make goo-goo eyes at her, and do whatever he/she can to make you meal go smoothly.
  • Sit near the door if possible. If your child cries, take him outside immediately. Be firm with your child that he cannot reenter the restaurant until he calms down and is quiet.
  • Take a walk immediately after you order your food. This could be around the restaurant or outside.
  • Improvise. Cloth napkins work to strap your child to the high chair so he doesn’t bounce or crawl out. Likewise, feel free to hold your child—a parent’s lap can help relax a little one.
  • Set limits about where your antsy toddler can toddle. Around your table is fine, but the aisle is off-limits, as are other people’s tables.
  • Drape and cover! You might want to carry a small plastic drop cloth for under baby’s chair, especially if you know that your chosen dining destination has nice rugs. Wait to shake until outside. Well outside.
  • When ordering food, don’t forget your child. A side order or two will make your toddler feel special and may actually land her something she likes. Little kids tend to like food that comes in tiny bits (noodles, beans, peas, blueberries, cut-up fruit) and many don’t like their foods to touch each other.
  • Give your child tastes of your food. If you treat food and eating as an adventure, your child (eventually if not immediately) will too.
  • Offer to clean up under the high chair when you’re done. The restaurant staff will refuse (it’s not good business practice to have the customer on her knees, at least not in a nice restaurant) but they’ll appreciate your offer. They may even resist putting up the “closed” sign when they see you walking down the street.

  Final Words of Advice

  Relax. And (try to) have fun! Remember, when enjoying a meal out on the town with your kids in tow, there are two very important rules that must never be broken:

  • Don’t ever, ever change a baby or toddler at the table. I’m not kidding, and I mean it.
  • Leave a big tip.

They are as entertaining to look at as the imaginary play that occurs inside. The unique handcrafted construction inspires everyone to stretch the imagination. The company is looking out for your kid’s best interests. They are armed with qualified corporate executives, the kids that inspired the construction of the first crooked house, two seven year olds whose titles are Theme Dreamer and Accessory Innovator and two two year olds who are the Quality and Safety Assurance.

Kids Crooked House offers a standard ($1949) or deluxe ($2549) version. You can also choose from one of their themes or create your own. Work with the creative team to design a playhouse for your child’s interests. Their website claims, “If a kid can dream it, we can build it!”

Interested in a discount?! Occasionally, the company will have models used in trade shows for sale. Currently, some are available. Visit KidsCrookedHouse.com and scroll down on the home page.

Don’t you wish there was a place you could take your kids where they could play, take classes, you can enjoy a good meal and get spa services done all at the same time? Sounds like Fantasy Island? This place is real, I went there and wished it was next door to my house. It is the Tree House Social Club in Los Angeles, started by 2 moms (of course), Jeannine Chanin and Tricia Leigh Fisher. The giant space has a tree house in the middle with dining tables to one side and class rooms and additional play areas on the other side. There is a manicure pedicure room, a private spa room for massages and facials, video game room, art room and a room for dance and music classes. They provide babysitting service for an additional fee so you can actually enjoy your spa services, otherwise, you just enjoy your lunch and coffee while your kids run around and play in the big play space, right where you can see them. I had lunch there and the food is excellent! It would have to be for this concept to work because the idea is that moms should enjoy the experience as much as their kids. Mommies meet there for lunch and enjoy real conversation – seriously! They also hold special events like slumber parties where they bring in local sample sales to entertain the moms while kids watch movies, make crafts as well as enjoy the visiting clown or magician. I am sorry to make everyone outside of LA jealous but I had to share this concept so that more of these will open in every neighborhood!! The open Play is $9 and memberships are available starting at $35. For more information visit The Tree House Social Club website.

By Jennifer Sembler

How do you find time for romance when you barely have time to brush your teeth? Here are 10 sweet, unexpected, totally doable ideas for squeezing a little you’re-so-hot-when-you-burp-the-baby intimacy into every day. Try them on your guy — and see how little things can make all the difference.

E-mail exchange

After an insane morning of getting your kids and yourself out the door, you realize you haven’t even said “hi” much less “I love you” to your spouse. When you get to work, take five minutes to send him an e-mail or text message wishing him luck in that meeting or telling him how cute he looks today. Sharing those little details can make you feel romantic in no time at all.

2-for-1 Bonus

You’ve still managed to find time to shower, right? So why not do a little romantic multitasking? Invite him in with you now and then — morning or night, as long as the kids are asleep — washing up while you catch up (or whatever else…). You’ll step out feeling squeaky clean — and super sexy.

Dinner a Deux

Pureed squash all over the walls doesn’t exactly set the stage for romance. So feed the kids early, put them to bed, and then have a late after-dinner dinner just for two. Make it date-night special by lighting candles and popping open some champagne — even if you’re only having tacos.

Pencil Him In

Instead of dealing with the hassle of last-minute babysitter booking, put your favorite sitter on a regular schedule and have a standing date night with your man. You’ll figure out what to do later. Make the first Saturday of every month your night to get out of the house sans kiddies and remember that you’re more than just Mommy and Daddy.

Wake Up Call Booty Call

Sometimes it’s hard to find time for sex, even if you are in the mood (sad but true). So schedule it in by setting the alarm a half hour earlier, and have a first-thing-in-the-morning quickie before the kids are up. Go to bed a half hour earlier that night to make up for lost sleep — and stay smiling all day long.

A Compliment A Day Makes Romance Stay

When was the last time you told your husband how awesome he is? Put yourself on a compliment-a-day program to keep those lovin’ feelings flowing.

Play Hooky

You know those personal days you get? We can’t think of anything more personal than reconnecting with the hubs. Take one of those underused allotted days midweek while the kids are at daycare, school, or with a sitter. Go back to bed, watch TV in your PJs, see a movie, whatever…as long as you do it together.

Lights Out

Make a point of retiring to the bedroom before you’re really tired. This way you’ll still have enough gas in the tank for a little nookie.

Let’s Do Lunch

Who says dates are just for nighttime? We say try a lunch rendezvous. Take an hour from your day to meet up and enjoy a mini-date, just the two of you. Bonus: If you’re a working mama, you don’t even need to hire a sitter.

Ixnay On The Baby Talk

Your daughter’s still got that cough, and junior’s not using his words — the subject of your kids could expand to fill every single second of conversation if you let it. Try taking at least a 15-minute break from kiddie talk every day to discuss your relationship, good memories, that naughty dream you had last night…anything so long as it’s not about the kids.

Today my auntie took me and my mommy out to eat at Chuy’s Restaurant by Westheimer and Kirby. I liked my food it was great i just love going out.