February 4, 2012

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FamilyFun.com Review

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FamilyFun.com

Now that back to school time has passed, the holiday season is fast approaching:  Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas will be here all too soon, and that means kids will want to create some craft projects for each event. FamilyFun.com, part of the DisneyFamily.com website, has great ideas for craft projects designed to keep little hands busy.

Visitors to the site can either click on various holidays presented on the homepage to find appropriately themed crafts ideas, or choose from the pulldown menu “Arts and Crafts” and select links by category:  Holiday and Seasonal, Crafts by Age, Quick and Easy, Classroom, Kids’ Room, and How to Videos, or simply search all crafts.

The pulldown menu features also a Halloween section, under which users can find ideas for crafts, recipes, decorating, pumpkin carving, and costumes.

Other categories to search are Games, Travel, Printables, Parties, and Recipes, each with its own subcategories that make for easy browsing of the unique ideas the site contains.

Under the Video tab, check out multimedia presentations of craft ideas for easy-to-follow instructions, and visit the Magazine section for past issues of Family Fun and subscription information.

Since the content of this site is updated as different holidays approach, be sure to check back often for fun craft, recipe, and decorating ideas your kids are sure to love!

Filed Under: Resources for Mothers, Resources for Parents, Resources for Teachers Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Motheread.com Review

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Motheread.com

All parents know how the value of simply reading to their children, but many may take it for granted that they can read to their child. Of course, not all parents are able to provide their children with valuable gift.

If you’ve wondered what sorts of programs are available for promoting literacy among parents and children, check out Motheread.com.

Motheread, Inc., is a nationally acclaimed organization that teaches literacy skills, child development, and family empowerment issues.  The organization offers classes for adults and children, using story as a way of learning.

Founded in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1987, the organization presents classes that focus not just on the “how” of reading, but also the “why,” and encourages parents to be reading role models for their children. Children’s classes emphasize, in addition to reading, critical thinking and problem solving skills.

On the organization’s website, users can read about the curriculum methods used to teach adults and children, obtain a copy of the newsletter, and find out about training and research on both the local, state, and national levels.

Educators can get information on upcoming training and development opportunities, and those interested in becoming Motheread instructors will find what they need under the FAQ link.

If you are interested in learning more about this program that provides valuable and empowering skills to parents and children, or your organization could benefit from implementing the program’s curriculum, this easy-to-use, informative website is a valuable resource.

Filed Under: Child Development, Resources For Children, Resources for Mothers, Resources for Parents Tagged With: , , , , ,

NursingAndDiapers.com Review

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Nursinganddiapers.com

All parents know that the two things they must be prepared for when baby arrives are feeding and diapering.  While those are simple and basic needs, parents still need choices and information when it comes to the accessories that go along with these two activities.

NursingAndDiapers.com is a wonderful resource for finding high-quality cloth diapers, diaper bags, and breast- and solid-feeding essentials.

The site’s four main categories are diapers, diaper bags, nursing and breastfeeding, and bottle and solid feeding; under each link readers will find items chosen for their quality and easy of use.

The diapers section has both all-in-one cloth diapers as well as a wide selection of quality pre-fold cloth diapers.  Check out the diaper bags section for a selection of stylish, functional diaper bags in a variety of colors.  (Several of these appear designed so that Dads won’t feel awkward carrying them).

If you’ve decided to breastfeed, the essentials you need are here as well.  Find breast milk storage items, breast pump accessories, and high-quality breast pumps on the site under the “Nursing and Breastfeeding” link.  Several brands are available here, and you can choose from manual pumps for occasional use to more substantial electric pumps for daily use.

Finally, don’t forget that your baby will, sooner than you realize, be eating solids, and the “Bottle and Solid Feeding” section of this site will assist you in choosing the right sterilizers, bottle and food warmers, and hot-and-cold packs for transporting bottles and baby food.

Ordering from this site is safe and easy, and Nursing and Diapers will never share your personal information with an unauthorized third party.

Filed Under: Breastfeeding, Resources for Mothers Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Ask Dr Sears Review

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Askdrsears.com

The Sears family is the “first family” of prenatal and pediatric advice; Dr. Bill Sears and his wife Martha, an RN, lactation consultant, and former childbirth educator, along with their three sons (who are also pediatricians) have many years of experience and practice – both as healthcare providers and as parents.

As a result, their website is full of information presented in a down-to-earth, user friendly way, and is a wonderful resource for a wide spectrum of childbirth and child rearing information.

The website is divided into main categories, ranging from pregnancy and childbirth to breastfeeding, vaccinating, sleep problems, fussy babies, childhood illnesses, and a number of other topics.  Under each is an extensive breakdown of information tailored to allow the reader to understand complicated topics in a reassuring way.

The “What’s New” and “Pediatric News” sections keep readers up-to-date on the latest in illnesses, research, and the Sears’s media appearances.  The “Regular Features” tab contains links to the parents’ forum, blogs, and the question of the week.

Readers can sign up for the newsletter, order books, and research the latest in pediatric news, as well as find and purchase products recommended by the Sears.

The site’s search feature makes finding just what you’re looking for a little easier, but you may find that just browsing the site and linking from one topic to another is just as valuable: the conversational tone and calming advice presented here makes this site a valuable one for parents or parents-to-be.

Filed Under: Babies and Newborns, Breastfeeding, Child Health, Resources for Mothers Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Grocery Mama Review

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grocerymama.com

Gas prices are high and grocery prices are creeping up, too.  These days it is increasingly important also to know where your food comes from, and buying locally is definitely the “green” thing to do.  If you’re looking for a website that will help you save time, money, and make a difference in your family’s budget and nutrition, check out GroceryMama.com.

This site has many money- and time-saving tips for busy moms who still want to create nutritious, frugal meals for their families.  Check out the main page for blog posts that contain recipes and tips for finding the best supermarket and farmers’ market deals, product coupons, working supper solutions, and reviews of versatile products designed to make your life easier.

There is a link to the “current giveaways” page (leave a comment to be entered into drawings for products like aprons and baby bibs), and you can sign up for Grocery Mama’s Frugal Finds Newsletter.

Grocery Mama will also help you organize your food buying and meal preparation habits to help you get the most out of your grocery budget.

This site is a great place to visit when you need some inspiration for mealtimes without feeling like you’re spending too much money or time.

Filed Under: Parenting, Resources for Mothers, Resources for Parents Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Family Education Review

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familyeducation.com

Family Education.com, as the site’s name implies, is a site devoted to parenting and family life.  The site has a little bit of everything, from suggestions for vacation and summer activities to blogs for parents to child development links.

Featured links on the site include a baby name database, a recipe database, a family entertainment section, and a puzzles and games section called “Mom’s Coffee Break.”

Parenting blogs are updated daily, and there is a tools section where you can investigate things like whether you can afford to stay home and your child’s future height.

Reading readiness screening tools and school resources for parents will help answer parents’ questions about education, and the activities center is full of great ideas for arts and crafts projects for busy little hands.

There is also a section just for moms that includes information on health and wellbeing, marriage, strategies for new moms, and divorce.

The sections on children are broken down into age categories:  0-6, 7-11, and 12-18, and within each you’ll find information on age-appropriate activates and developmental concerns like bullying, teen smoking, family pets, and nutrition.

Other resources include parenting message boards and a newsletter archive as well as links to parenting resources on the web.

The “most popular” tab allows users to see the most-viewed stories, and there is also an up-to-date movie section with links to information about movies in theatres as well as on DVD.

There is a lot to see on this website, but it is presented in an easy-to-follow format that will make for fun browsing and will educate parents and children alike.

Filed Under: Parenting, Resources for Parents Tagged With: , , , , ,

One Chic Mama Review

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OneChicMama.com

OneChicMama.com is a site devoted to mothers, because, as their slogan states, “motherhood doesn’t mean the end of style.”  But there is a lot more to this site than simply style- and beauty-related products and information, so even if you’re not feeling your most stylish as a new or experienced mother, there’s plenty of great product information here, along with giveaways and useful information for your family.

Online since May 2006, this site offers almost daily blog posts full of great products for mothers and their families.  Readers can view product reviews of everything from diaper bags to eco-friendly shopping bags, jewelry to household cleaners, baby shoes to women’s shoes, and nearly everything in between.

The “Spacialist,” a New-York based space organizer, makes regular guest appearances and offers wonderful tips for home organization projects that are innovative and simple to implement.

Many of the products reviewed here are available as giveaways; simply read the posts for the “catch” (posting a comment on the site) to be entered into drawings.  OneChicMama often offers discounts on ordering, too, and the links to the products are clear and easy to navigate.

While you’re on the site, check out the “Chic Links,” a list of other sites that offer similar services, as well as a list of sponsors that includes unique sites you may otherwise have never visited.

Readers can also sign up for the newsletter or email the site to offer tips and suggestions for other readers.
If you’re looking for a site that rounds up unique, innovative products that have been tested by other moms, this site is one to bookmark and check often.

Filed Under: Resources for Mothers Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Homeschool Portal Review

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HomeschoolPortal.com

Homeschool Portal is a wonderful resource for parents who are searching for a comprehensive list of educational materials for their children.  Containing over 2000 links, the site is a comprehensive listing of websites, businesses, and educational resources that support the homeschooling community, teachers, parents, and students. Users can rate each site they visit, providing important insights to other users.

Because the site is so vast, the easiest way to browse for materials is to go to the bottom of the homepage and choose the directory tab, which will take you to a page where information is sorted by category and presented in alphabetical order.  Scroll down the page to see main categories, and then click on a folder to view the subcategories and read a full description.

Under the directory, users can search audio, books, school subject, family and home life, homeschool information, software, toys and games, special needs, reference materials, early childhood learning, and a number of other subcategories.  Under each subcategory, users will find a list of pertinent links to follow that relate to the particular subject.

Users can sort the results, choosing to show newest or oldest first, highest rated, most votes, least votes, or to list by alphabetical order, and choose the number of results to show per page. Since there is so much material available on this one site, having the information accessible by a number of different sort features makes finding just what you’re looking for easier.

The site also offers a “search the directory” feature for quick searches, but users who have time to may find it more interesting to browse around the featured links since the site is so packed with useful information.
The “featured” link connects users to the feature of the month and offers a link to previous features; the “homeschool ecards” link allows users to send ecards with a homeschooling theme; the “links” link is a place where users can report for deletion any links that pertain to gambling or adult themes; and the “supermall” link takes users to the supermall site, full of products for homeschoolers.

Users will find a vast number of resources on the Homeschool Portal, so set aside a lot of time to check out the many, useful resources offered here.

Filed Under: Resources For Children, Resources for Parents, Resources for Teachers Tagged With: , , , , ,

Practical Parenting Advice Review

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practicalparent.org.uk

Practical Parenting Advice is a fun and colorful site run by Psychologist Andy Gill and contains resources for both parents and professionals regarding child behavior and development and family relationships. The company is a non-profit, but there are items for sale on the site.

On the site users can purchase an at-home 5 week parenting course applicable to children aged 2 to 7; the course includes professional support and research-based methods regarding behavioral difficulties like defiance and temper tantrums.

There are plenty of free resources on the site as well, such as parenting advice tips on topic such as understanding child behavior, building trust, and protecting self-esteem.  A free newsletter is also available to subscribers.

A parenting message and discussion board provides a forum to discuss parenting issues with other parents, and there is an extensive list of links to other sites related to parenting issues, from baby clothing to school choices to summer fun for children.  Users can rate or add links here.

Because the company is located in the UK, the section that offers information on discounted travel to family-friendly destinations may or may not prove useful, but there is also a selection of discounted family- and parenting-focused books available for order online in conjunction with Amazon UK.

Users can search the site via Google search, and the fun and colorful graphics make the site visually appealing and easy to navigate.

Filed Under: Professional Resources, Resources for Parents Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Teach The Children Well Review

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teachthechildrenwell.com

If you’re looking for a comprehensive collection of educational websites, Teach the Children Well is a great resource.  This website is a vast collection of website amassed by a teacher, for teachers, students, and their parents.

While the sheer number of sites available here is almost overwhelming, the site is neatly divided sections that make for easy browsing, or users can search for a specific topic.  The site was designed for elementary grades, but the material will appeal to older students as well.

The teachers’ section is divided into categories:  Game of the Day; Animals; Science; Language Arts; The Arts; Math; Social Studies; Challenges; Other Topics; Technology; Early Learning; and Parents and Teachers.

Within each category users will find further sub-categories (types of animals, for instance, or geographical locations), and within those sub-categories are hundreds of links to sites that relate to the particular topic.
Users will also find Search Engines for Kids and References Links, as well as a place to suggest a link be added to the site.

Be prepared to set aside a chunk of time to browse the many, many references here, or bookmark the page as a meta-reference page for future use.

Filed Under: Parenting, Professional Resources, Resources For Children Tagged With: , , ,
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