Strawberry Shortcake
Daily Cutie
The hair, the dimple, the smile! We can't get enough of this adorable tot. Thanks to redfox1 for this great shot.
redfox1, Flickr
How can anyone say no to those eyes? Thanks to alenzisaad for this beautiful portrait.
alenzisaad/Flickr
We really love the composition in this shot. Thanks to ( .Victory. ) for the cool photo.
( .Victory. )/Flickr
We agree with Boom Got Em – God did send him an angel!
Boom Got Em/Flickr
Nobody puts baby in a corner. Thanks to Sarah Stewart for this adorable shot.
Sarah Stewart/Flickr
A future phone-talker is in the works. Thanks to anuragyagnik for this glimpse into the future.
anuragyagnik/Flickr
Such a happy little cowgirl. Thanks to 4peasinapod for this adorable portrait.
4peasinapod/Flickr
What's this little one pondering? Thanks to kiu101 for this beautiful photo.
kiu101/Flickr
Sick and snotty, but still a doll. Thanks to bilquest for sharing this cute photo.
bilquest/Flickr
This bathing beauty makes us all smile. Thanks to kmorae3 for this darling photo.
kmorae3/Flickr
If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into the ParentDish Flickr Pool. We'll highlight an image every day. Remember: We're on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on our main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day.
The Dingo's Got My Baby Name!
Babies, Pregnancy & birth, Media
However, I put a poll online and got a lot of comments that I shouldn't name my baby that because the baby who was killed by a dingo was named Azaria. Do you think it matters? Will people always mention the connection to her/us or will they just accept her name once they know her?
- Would-be Azaria mom
You found the one and only name of your dreams, then polled the global, anonymous internet for opinions on it? That takes a thick skin. But I presume that you did it for a reason...and I presume that the reason was to see how the name plays to people whose perspectives are different from your own. So now that you have those perspectives, what do you do with them?
Weekend Fun and Games
Movies
This third installment in the popular franchise, "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" features all the same characters audiences already love and a few, extra-large new ones. The new guys are dinosaurs and the herd is lost in their world, trying to rescue a wayward friend. It is silly, action-packed and has awesome dinosaurs -- what's not to love? Rated PG, OK for Kids 6+
On DVD
If you missed "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience" in the theater, now is your chance to swoon over the brothers three in the privacy of your own home. Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas perform at Madison Square Garden and take fans behind the scenes as they live their squeaky clean pop star lives. Rated G, OK for Kids 7+TV
The educational docu-series "Monsters Inside Me" is an up-close look at parasites and what they can do inside the human body. Sound gross? With all the close-ups of bugs and descriptive narration, it is clearly meant to be. The squeamish may want to skip this one. Rated TV-PG, OK for Kids 11+
Books
The sweetly titled "Peace, Love and Baby Ducks" by Lauren Myracle is the story of two sisters struggling to remain close as they grow older. Dealing with jealousy, burgeoning sexuality and less-than-perfect family relationships, the girls learn that sisterly love is not always easy but worth the effort. OK for Kids 13+Music
With a punk rock sound and clever lyrics, "The Time Machine" by The Sippy Cups explores the milestones of childhood. From losing a tooth to learning to swim, the San Francisco Bay Area band covers it all with a fresh and original sound that totally rocks. OK for Kids 5+
Web
An offshoot of Coolmath.com, "Science Monster" is an instructional site featuring science concepts with a focus on space. It is text-heavy and not exactly cutting-edge, but for those looking for specific scientific answers, it delivers. OK for Kids 13+
Games"Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" is a multi-platform game that lets players explore the Hogwarts castle and grounds. As Harry, players accomplish tasks and are rewarded with video cut scenes that move the story forward. It is fairly easy to play but might be hard to follow if you haven't read the book. Rated E10+, OK for Kids 10+
Kids and Extracurriculars - When Do You Let Them Quit?
When kids are ready to quit, do you let them?. Photo: sxc.hu
Lisa Belkin over at Motherlode has asked readers when do you let a child quit an activity? Like Belkin, we have a few rules in our house about this, and we've had to enforce the "if you commit to it, you see it through" rule once or twice. But that was for short term activities -- six weeks or less -- that only met once a week. Had the activity in question been a more involved commitment, I think I would have been more flexible. After all, I don't force myself to continue a hobby I don't enjoy, so I don't think it's fair to make my kids do it either.
But at the same time, it is a parent's responsibility to teach and to guide. And jumping in to solve the problem every time a child gets bored or feels discomfort is the hallmark of helicopter parenting. Exactly where is the balance?
Twitter Follow Friday on ParentDish!
Love Twitter? So do we! It can be tough to keep tabs on all your favorite "Tweeters" from the "Twitterverse" -- but don't worry, we've got you covered! Here's our favorite parenting Tweets of the week. Follow ParentDish on Twitter to join the discussion (who knows, maybe we'll feature you here!). |
Mommy4Cocktails The Baby totally should have skipped that second cup of coffee. |
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BOREDmommy My husband just changed 2yo's diaper without me asking. Hell has just frozen over. Madoff, you will be needing your ice skates. |
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Mom101 Know what's fun? Being in a business meeting and reaching for a pen but pulling out a tampon. |
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poshmama ATTN LADIES: sports bras are to be worn UNDER your shirt NOT as a replacement for a shirt. Thank you! |
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redneckmommy Dying laughing. I just snuck up on the kids and shook the tent and made two of them cry from fear. I LOVE being a grownup sometimes |
Read any good Tweets? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!
Lush Lashes
Daily Cutie
How can anyone say no to those eyes? Thanks to alenzisaad for this beautiful portrait.
alenzisaad/Flickr
We really love the composition in this shot. Thanks to ( .Victory. ) for the cool photo.
( .Victory. )/Flickr
We agree with Boom Got Em – God did send him an angel!
Boom Got Em/Flickr
Nobody puts baby in a corner. Thanks to Sarah Stewart for this adorable shot.
Sarah Stewart/Flickr
A future phone-talker is in the works. Thanks to anuragyagnik for this glimpse into the future.
anuragyagnik/Flickr
Such a happy little cowgirl. Thanks to 4peasinapod for this adorable portrait.
4peasinapod/Flickr
What's this little one pondering? Thanks to kiu101 for this beautiful photo.
kiu101/Flickr
Sick and snotty, but still a doll. Thanks to bilquest for sharing this cute photo.
bilquest/Flickr
This bathing beauty makes us all smile. Thanks to kmorae3 for this darling photo.
kmorae3/Flickr
Oh that first tub bath! So cute. Thanks to FabFio666 for sharing this special moment.
FabFio666/Flickr
If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into the ParentDish Flickr Pool. We'll highlight an image every day. Remember: We're on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on our main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day.
Abigail Breslin Makes $13 a Week
Abigail Breslin gets a $13 allowance. Image: Getty Images
At the premiere of her latest movie, "My Sister's Keeper," she told reporters that she recently got a $1 raise. "I get $13 [a week] now, because I'm 13," says Breslin.
Breslin, who lives with her parents and two brothers, might be a millionaire movie star, but her parents are still teaching her to be financially responsible -- chores and a weekly allowance are status quo for most kids, famous or not.
Nannies on Vacation, July 4 Parties, and More - Links We Love
Would you take a nanny on vacation with you? Image: sxc.hu
Tired of feeding the kids chicken nuggets and mac and cheese? These restaurants have figured out how to do kids' menus right. -- When Blog
Time to hire a sitter! Here's the top 10 July 4th parties, going on across the nation. -- Digital City
Want your kiddo to look patriotic at the fireworks this weekend? Here's a quick, last-minute craft: Fourth of July tie-dye tees. -- AlphaMom
Family vacations are for spending time with family, but bringing the nanny along -- that doesn't seem like such a bad idea. What do you think? Smart? Or pretentious? -- Strollerderby
Your daughter got your hair, your chin and your ... sarcastic wit? Do your worst traits ever show up in your children? -- Mommy Track'd
You're comfortable with just one, but are worried about only-child syndrome. Would you have a baby just to give your child a sibling? -- Work It, Mom!
An ultrasound picture you can hold? That's right. An artist makes a model of your baby based on your ultrasound pics. Cool or creepy? -- LilSugar
No one ever wants to think about it, but it's smart to plan for it anyway: Who would you choose to be the guardian of your child? -- Motherlode
High School Secretary Changes Daughter's Grades Electronically
A mom takes her daughter's grades into her own hands. Photo: Marja Flick-Buijs/sxc.hu
Caroline Maria McNeal, a high school secretary and mom of a 2008 graduating senior did just that. Not only did she tamper with daughter Brittney's test scores -- in one case, changing her SAT score from 1370 to 1730 (which is actually kind of clever because it could just be perceived as a typo except that she put the score in a week before any other students' scores were entered) -- she also changed other student's grades as well so that Brittney's class standing would be improved.
Bad move, mom.
