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: , , , , , ,

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.

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