Strollerderby : BlogHer

Trick or Treating With the Obamas: Scary or Too Cute?

JeanneSager — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:15:00 GMT

Malia and Sasha Obama were trying to scare their dad when they dressed up as an "evil fairy" and corpse bride. Too bad the presidential candidate thought they were just too cute to be scary. It's a story Michelle Obama shared in a post to the largely female population of bloggers at BlogHer this week.

The Democratic candidate's wife highlighted a tale that could have happened in any house in America this week (I was wrapped in a hug by a friend's son who quickly turned and "grrrred" at me and asked, "are you scared?"). And she did so to introduce some snippets of campaign life that have driven home the greatest point we all need to remember come Wednesday morning.

As polarizing as the issues have been, as dedicated as we may have become to our separate causes, as passionate as we may always (and should always) be, come Wednesday morning, the vote is over. What will be left is a country full of people with the same basic goals in mind: food, shelter, clothing. Every parent, particularly, has a singular thought day in and day out: to give our children the best life possible. The ways we go about doing that, what that "best life" entails are all different. There's no getting around that, and only a fool would expect that to change on Wednesday morning.

But the little girls bouncing around a presidential candidate's home this week, tromping from door-to-door on Friday like millions of kids, wearing costumes worn by thousands of other little girls in America, are a reminder that no matter where we are and what we think, when life gets scary, we look at our kids. Cheesy? Yes. Sappy? You're darn tootin'. But our kids haven't been screwed up by all the adult ideas and mistakes yet. They're still just too cute to scare us.

Image: MSNBC

Babble Talk: The Babies Tell Us Who Will Be Their Next President

Have a Uterus? McCain Wants You to Pay More for Health Insurance

Salvation Army Says: We'll Take Palin's Clothes!

Anti-Palin Ad Targets Parents With Teenage Rape Victim's Plea

Morning News: But Wait, Says Obama Infomercial, That's Not All!

Oh, Those Whining Sick Kids!

Karen Murphy — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:02:00 GMT

Sorry, can't get the sick-kid thing out of my mind lately. Maybe it's from the nose-wipage snail-tracks decorating my couch? Or the hacking phlegm-sounds invading my dreams at night, followed by the [intentionally weak-sounding] call of "Mamaaaaa!" Or the doe eyes that stare up at me, pleadingly, beseechingly, as if somehow that intense eye contact would be enough not only to convey what feeling like crap feels like but also to magically transfer it to someone—anyone—else.

I know you know what I'm talking about.

And it seems to be on everyone else's mind too. Take Rita Arena at BlogHer, for example. She's talking about flu shots and immune-boosting activities. Avoiding the one makes the other more important. I think that flu shots are useless/more dangerous than helpful in most cases, with some notable exceptions, so I was surprised/appalled to learn that The Ex had a flu shot administered to our four-year-old over the weekend. At second thought, however, it seems that he fits more in the category of notable exceptions, so I'll let sleeping immunosuppressants lie in this case.

Other notable exceptions include those who are health care workers or are frequently around those germy little kids (oops, that would be us, wouldn't it?), or the elderly or people whose immune systems need some boosting, or people like my son who have tiny respiratory passages and are prone to respiratory issues.

(By the way, Rita also presents a wonderful rundown on what to look for when your kid has the flu, as in when to go to a doctor. People have died from the flu and will continue to do so whether we have shots for it or not, so it's good to know when it gets to that serious stage)

But there's lots of people who get the shot every year, betting that the healthcare industry gurus chose the "right" strains to focus on this year.

Just not me, thank you. I will continue to take my chances. Just don't cough on me; I get enough of that at home. Now if only I could do something about the whining.

Photo: bbc.co.uk

Strollerderby Playdate: The Critical Questions of the Season

Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:56:00 GMT

Everybody's got loads of questions this time of year: What volunteer role in the preschool pageant shall I put you down for? How much can you contribute to the mail carrier's gift? Am I going to get all the toys I ask for if I tell Santa how much I need them? You are buying only eco-friendly organic hemp holiday presents, right? To which I've personally mastered the No thanks! Seriously? Oh hell naw. Ummm... responses with a quickness. But every once in a while one of those really good, really pondery, really important seasonal questions arises that you absolutely must sit down with some Rumpleminz and gingerbread cookie dough to consider. Here are a few of those treasures plucked like little precious chocolates from the virtual Advent calendar of the internets:

Blingy gifts or senti-presents from your partner? As posed by BlogHer.

Is the lampshade award worth losing your gig? "Hypothetically asked" by Dumb Little Man.

Can you incorporate these three holi-propriate words into your next mall shopping or monogramming experience? Dared by Wordlustitude.

Where are the crampons? And is this a planted post by Wordlustitude? Questioned by A Little Chaos.

24-Hour Countdown to the Madness: Videoblogs Help You Fake a Great Turkey Din

Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:23:00 GMT

I'm not sure if the new videoblogs at BlogHer were made to walk me through easy, delicious dinner prep or to distract me into such a state of procrastination that we all end up feasting on pie alone for Thanksgiving. It's all good either way. And when I say all good, I mean it all, mama.

First, check this quality yo. These videoblogs graciously hosted by Erin Kotecki Vest are sleek and have sound quality that beats PBS on some days. Second, the co-hosts are hot blogging (oh yeah, and cooking) mamas that you know and read (CityMama, bring those green beans and that killer swing sweater and come back to us!) that are serving up Rustic Apple Gallette, Green Beans with a Twist, Mom's Turkey Stuffing and an Easy Holiday Turkey. I haven't actually put silicon spoon to sautee pan yet, but good gravy, every one of these recipes looks smokin'. And when I say smokin', I mean not the way my mother massacres vegetables in the microwave.

If the only potluck recipe you've put together involves PlayDoh and Cheerios, or if you are putting off any organization of the big day until...tick...tick..now, then I really recommend you put down the screaming toddler you've volunteered to discipline before getting to the foodstuffs and check out each videoblogged course. Individually, these dishes seem like a prime opportunity to score points with family. All together, they'd make up a simple and scrumptious escape from the family. You click on, preheat and dig in. In the meantime, I'll gather the ingredients for a traditional Turkey Day gimlet.

Oh wait. Seriously? For Thanksgiving, it's giblets?

Misery Loves Company: MOTHERS Act Day

aprilpeveteaux — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:15:00 GMT

As you are blogging away today in support of the MOTHERS Act, take a moment to check out Adrienne Martini’s personal essay, Misery, which will give you a startling look into the world of a mom battling postpartum depression. Hopefully Martini’s struggle is not a familiar one to you mom readers out there, but whether you’ve been there or not, her experience highlights the importance of keeping all of our family members’ safe after the addition of the newest and cutest one. Martini’s determination to have a second child after this time in hell is a brave one. Or an irresponsible one depending on your point of view, but also the greatest indication that life does not have to come to a standstill due to the treatable disease of PPD. Write your senator, write your own story, but write now to help pass a bill that will ensure mothers and families getting the resources they need to help fight this increasingly common and tragic health crisis.

Antepartum Depression: Not Every Pregnant Woman Glows

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:38:00 GMT

Who here loved being pregnant? I see a couple of hands up but most of you are scowling at me. Yeah. I hated it too. I've never thrown up so much in my life, and I used to be bulimic. I was very sick and I was terrified. As badly as I had been wanting a baby for years it turned out that there were two of them in there and I was uncomfortable and exhausted and this thing was suddenly real.

We've all heard of postpartum depression, but did you know about antepartum depression? Nordette Adams wrote a great post all about it over on BlogHer. She called her post The Happy Pregnant Lady Myth. In it she mentions that one in five women experience antepartum depression.

So why are we all talking about PPD and not APD (I don't know if anyone else actually uses that acronym I might have just made it up, or maybe it should be AD, but whatever)? Did any of you experience this? Did I experience this and I just didn't know it?

Let's talk about this. It is important for pregnant women to understand that pregnancy isn't all ice cream and compliments. If you are pregnant and miserable you are not alone, and it could be physiological.

Strollerderby Finishline: The I Didn't Go To BlogHer Edition

Karen Murphy — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 19:06:00 GMT

Sorry, peeps. Cryitout Mike's on a plane right now, headed for a well-deserved vacation with a sixteen-month-old who has some peculiar sleep habits. Have a wonderful week, Mike, and the whole Cryitout family too. So I'm filling the void here, so to speak, though I have to say that I'm still miffed that my flight to BlogHer was canceled and I never made it there. I know, I know, boo hoo.

But BlogHer? So. Over. I'm pretty sure it's illegal even to be blogging about it anymore. So pretend I didn't say that, will you? And whatever you do, don't tell anyone.

So speaking of BlogHer, Sarah went. Though she's a little more concerned with her ongoing therapy needs due to Early Childhood Goat Trauma.

Rachael? She was there. In fact, she kindly offered to share her room at the W with me. (Damn you, American Airlines!) And despite what she said about the evils of breastfeeding, she probably doesn't actually eat babies for breakfast (lunch, maybe, but not breakfast).

Kelly was the other hot blogger I was supposed to room with. I know I would have loved her too because she rants a bit about selfish people on airplanes.

Stefania was there too. And either the food at BlogHer was awesome or it sucked, because she's still thinking about burritos and lunchboxes.

Jessica went. I wonder if being with hundreds of women for the weekend is what caused her to say, "Enough with the nakedness"?

I wasn't the only one who didn't go. Alisyn didn't go. A good thing, too, because I heard there was something about louvered shutters rather than doors on the bathrooms there in the hotel, and a dearth of pooping as a result. Though apparently it would not be an issue for Alisyn, since she's fixated more on number one.

Patti didn't go either. And she still didn't have time to cook. But it's summer, and who wants to cook?

Melissa couldn't make it this year. Maybe because she's dealing with the mountain of gifts her kids have received over the years?

Chag should have been there; I hear the swag was awesome. And then maybe he wouldn't have to be plotting other ways to get gifts.

Mike stayed home, wrote an entire day's posts so the BlogHer ladies didn't have to, and pined for Scott Baio.

Pierre didn't go either, probably so he could tell us the perils of not liking mom's cooking.

Gwynne was too busy reflecting on the four types of babies. I want one with a martini olive.

So what did I do all weekend instead of hanging with the ladies? Stayed home and played with toys, mostly.

Strollerderby Playdate: Mommy Blogger Power

Kelly Mills — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 11:05:00 GMT

Hey, did you know some of us went to BlogHer? Are you soooo sick of hearing about it? Do you put on your best Jan Brady voice and say, "BlogHer, BlogHer, BlogHer, why is everyone always talking about BlogHer?"

Well, I went, and liked it. There was a panel on mommybloggers (I haaate that term, too cutesy) and the panelists were smart and great and said sage things. Meanwhile these two yucksters kept me entertained with running commentary. So here's the next best thing to being there.

Her Bad Mother has a giant brain, and I love her now. And don't touch the scrunchie.

Cheeky Lotus answered all these, and reminded us that we blog and surf to combat our post partum depression.

Notes From the Trenches is always great, and her rundown is superb. Hmmm, doesn't she look familiar?

Can't wait till next year.

Strollerderby Playdate: While Mommy is Away

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:01:00 GMT

I don't mean to harp on this whole BlogHer thing, but honestly after spending four days with so many other bloggers it is hard to think about anything else. Plus, it is all anybody is really writing about, so without further ado, who missed Mommy the most?

The Sarcastic Journalist's husband missed he so badly that he TiVoed an episode of SpongeBob Squarepants just for her. Squidward kept saying things that reminded him of her.

Look at what Lindsay's family did to her poor house!

Redneck Mommy's kids were all about her swag. Yes, I am speaking of the condom lollipop.

Susan's son missed her so much that he left for three days when she got back. Wait a minute...

Strollerderby Playdate: BlogHer hangover

Mike Adamick (Cry It Out!) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 11:01:00 GMT

It's supposed to be about networking and empowerment and business and everything else, but all I heard leading up to the great ~~hot mom orgy~~ Chicago blog conference known as BlogHer was the cocktails.

Sad to say, it's come to an end. From the looks of things, Elizabeth Edwards brought it. Big time. While others shamelessly marketed themselves like street corner ~~hookers~~ sandwich board bloggers.

Thankfully what happens in Chicago, stays, er ... follows you around the blogosphere like that horrible high school nickname that just never went away. (Who knew "two-minute man" wasn't an homage to the great blues song? Huh.)

So let us know -- what was the best part this year? Was it worth the trip? Are you out of bed yet? Are you even home yet?

Amanda at GoodyBlog helped host a cocktail party. I love her already.

Alex at Formula Fed and Flexible Parenting had a great time -- especially at the children's museum mixer. (You leave the kids and go to a kids' place?)

Apparently some people focused on business.

Others forgot things.

And some skipped it altogether, though they stay tuned via video.

StrollerDerby Playdate: BlogHer Edition

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:59:00 GMT

You can't swing a diaper bag this week without reading about someone getting ready to travel to Chicago to BlogHer. Many of the nice writers from Babble will be there as well as a few hundred other women and men from around the 'sphere.

Bloggers attending from Babble include Sarah and the Goon Squad, Sassafrass, CityMama, Fitness Fixation, and others. Elsewhere, you can be sure to read tales of Chicago from O the Joys, Pundit Mom, and Motherhood Uncensored.

BlogHer is even featured as an adventure in Second Life, so if you can't attend in person, try to attend virtually.

Daddy Bloggers Unite: BlogHim

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:01:00 GMT

I have talked to a lot of my Daddy Blogging friends and many of them are super jealous that the men aren't included at BlogHer. Fear not gentlemen. There is an alternative. It isn't quite the same as ~~a bunch of drunk blogger chicks making out with statues~~ a conference with great speakers like Amy Sedaris and Elizabeth Edwards. But it is a way to participate in a man blogger thing.

In the interest of full disclosure, you don't have to be a Dad to do this. In fact I don't even think Neil (from Citizen of the Month) has kids but his blog is where I read about this.

BlogHim: Blog about being a man. Neil is asking men to blog about being a man from July 27 - 29. (Why do those dates sound so familiar to me?) I know that MetroDad brought up the subject of a BlogHim conference a while back, but I don't think anyone volunteered to actually plan one.

Why am I, a BlogHer contributing editor and proud MommyBlogger (I know people hate that, but I don't mind) promoting BlogHim? Because I love DaddyBloggers. Seriously. Go check my blogroll sometime. Besides the fabulous Dads that we have writing for us here at Strollerderby there are tons of fantastic blogs out there about men.

Bring it guys. We can take it. Plus, we kind of want to hear about it. And if you ever do decide to have a BlogHim conference I will be crashing that party with bells on.

Babysitter Tips And Tricks

Patti — Tue, 15 May 2007 21:02:00 GMT

When I was in junior high school, I was babysitting newborns for a dollar an hour. My, how times have changed. Depending on where you live, you might be lucky to find a high school kid who'll take less than ten bucks an hour, if you can find a high school kid at all. Around here, people seem to lean toward using off-duty or former nannies, whose qualifications are stellar but who charge up the yin-yang. I had plenty of time to ponder this while I sifted through ads on Craigslist and set up interviews trying to find the right person to watch Tivo at my house all evening while my kids sleep, in exchange for more money per hour than I made as an operations manager for an internet startup. Yeah, we don't go out much.

In honor of National Babysitting Safety Day, which was Sunday and the existence of which I should probably be less surprised, Denise over at BlogHer put together a great little roundup of sites that can help you get over the hump and out of the house. If you don't mind paying as much for the chance to get out together for pizza and a movie as you would have paid for dinner at a three-star restaurant back in the old days, that is.

Here's Your Hussy, Honey: Dolls That Make Us Cringe

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Thu, 03 May 2007 17:26:00 GMT

Move over Barbie, and Bratz teen dolls! Make way for Bratz Babyz! Dorothy at BlogHer says it like it is, describing the disturbing thing about these dolls that they scarily resemble many toddler girls.

But now with makeup! And short dresses!

The challenge of raising daughters in this culture is the disappearance of girlhood, the sexualization of women and girls, and the message that the only thing about them that matters is their looks. Ugh.

So when my daughters tell me they're fat, or bad at math, or think boys are stronger, I want to kick something (maybe a weak boy). And they don't watch television and they don't play with Barbies or Bratz or Baby Hooker Junior. But like all the other worried mommies out there, I'm confident this won't prevent them from having the usual preoccupations.

At minimum, I can keep these horrid dolls out of their toy box.

Bratz Dolls Make Barbie Look Reasonable

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:36:00 GMT

A marketing study was released recently that showed that mothers were looking to toymakers to make more wholesome and conservative toys for our little girls. While, I agree with the results, a study done by AG Properties (Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake etc.) is most likely skewed. (Keep in mind, they also only interviewed mothers, not fathers.)

Mir (from Woulda Coulda Shoulda) wrote a fantastic piece on BlogHer called "Sorry, sweetie... Mommy thinks that doll's too skanky". Mir writes about how she had decided long before she had kids that her children would never own a Barbie, and now she is faced with dolls that make Barbie look wholesome.

Look, we all know Barbie is slutty. I know my Barbie got around. She was always making out with Ken and the Donny Osmond doll that my friend Alison had. I can't even imagine what kind of nastiness these Bratz dolls would get up to, especially now that we have some Misfits action figures (yes, I have a Jerry Only Ken doll).

I was in Target with my niece two weeks ago and she said "My Mommy and Daddy say I can't play with Bratz dolls because they wear too much makeup." I say well played brother. The five year old knows they are inappropriate without having to discuss sleaziness.

Anyway, Mir's post stirred up quite the conversation over on BlogHer. Do Bratz dolls get you riled up too?

Gardasil: Mom Blogger Explains Why She'll Vaccinate Her Daughter

Stefania Pomponi Butler (CityMama) — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 21:06:00 GMT

Recently, Alisyn Cobb wrote about various states proposing bills that would make the new human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, a requirement for girls 13 and under. HPV is a virus that causes cervical cancer.

However you feel about this highly-charged issue, there's no denying that this is a big medical breakthrough. Those of us that have suffered through abnormal paps and painful culposcopies are sitting up and taking notice. Especially if we have daughters.

Mir, the veteran blogger behind of Woulda Coulda Shoulda and Want Not, wrote an eloquent piece for BlogHer about why she will vaccinate her daughter as soon as she is able. She makes the case by saying:

If I have my daughter vaccinated at 9, it's all about disease prevention and nothing more. If I wait until she's older, then the other issues creep in unbidden. If I have my 11-year-old vaccinated just as puberty is coming to roost, I will feel compelled to tie this to issues of her budding sexuality, and perhaps seize on this rather inorganic opportunity to espouse my personal values and embarrass her terribly. If I wait until she's a full-fledged teenager, the unpleasant reality is that---all parenting and values aside, no matter what they are---we may be too late, for one thing, and she may feel compelled to seize on this rather inorganic opportunity to either protest her chastity or tell me what I can do with my values and embarrass us both terribly. She may even---with the invincible wisdom of a teen---insist she doesn't need it.

Read her post and click through all her links. Then join the thoughtful discussion in the comments. It will give you lots to chew on.

[via BlogHer]