Posts Tagged ‘4’

Watching a movie with a young child can be a dicey proposition. What can seem like a harmless kid flick can contain scenes of animal torture (The Secret of Nimh, Babe: Pig in the City) or snuffing (Bambi), the death of parents (practically every Disney flick ever made), and a host of other horrors. If you have a sensitive kid, you’ll want to know in advance what you’re going to see.

That’s where Commonsense Media comes in. Like a Consumer Reports for kids’ media, Commonsense rates movies, games, books, music, TV shows, and websites for parents. What might give parents pause? What age is it intended for? What might parents want to discuss with kids? Commonsense flags anything that might be worrisome, including violence, sex, cursing, and consumerism.

Parents can look up particular movies or games by name or age group, or get ideas for what to consume from Commonsense’s lists of recommended media picks.

Pictured: Rodents are sucked down a vent to their deaths in The Secret of NIHM.

You’ve seen him once or twice at the playground — the totally involved and evolved stay-at-home dad. Who is this thoroughly modern man, and what makes him tick?

The Daddy Shift: How Stay-at-Home Dads, Breadwinning Moms, and Shared Parenting Are Transforming the American Family, offers a look into the changing world of fatherhood today. Inspired by author Jeremy Smith’s year spent at home with his young son, this book investigates the stories of a diverse group of dads who have embraced care giving and egalitarian marriages, from both a social and economic standpoint.

How 2009.

Available at beacon.org.

No more ties this Father’s Day — you’re looking for something a little more intellectual.

Humor, insight and truth — any new dad wants to hear the real deal from those who have been there, done that. That’s why The Book of Dads gathered top writers like Neal Pollack, Nick Flynn and Darin Strauss to share their advice, insights, ruminations and anecdotes about the world of fatherhood. Edited by Ben George (of the literary journal Ecotone), this anthology includes poignant stories like “The Night Shift,” a lyrical recounting of the first few years author Ben Fountain spent in the dark with his young children.

No matter what the experience, he’s not alone.

Available at amazon.com.

Now that you’re pregnant you know what you should not eat — but what are the best foods for the next 9 months?

Feed the Belly by new mom and nutrition expert Frances Largeman-Roth features nearly 70 easy-to-make recipes smartly categorized by craving (salty, sweet, spicy). This healthy eating guide for pregnant women shares easy-to-follow tips, like what should and should not be on your shopping list, how to choose the healthiest fish and what to eat to boost fertility. Kick off your new and improved diet with the book’s simple seven-day eating plan that will boost your bump and your pre-baby bod.

Available at amazon.com.

Lately it’s all about truth in parenting, but the only place you feel truly honest is on the UB message boards.

Read a relatable dose of reality. Afterbirth: Stories You Won’t Read in a Parenting Magazine is a collection of essays based on Dani Klein Modisett’s popular live show of the same name. Hollywood types, from Sex and the City writer Cindy Chupack to Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, contribute personal takes on parenting. First family vacations, fertility, fear and father-daughter bonding are just a few of the topics tackled in this collection of personal stories.

Available at stmartins.com.

Your entire household has memorized the contents of the bookshelf — time to restock.

One Potato was recently launched by a father of two whose love of children’s picture books turned into an online guide. The site advocates for the lesser-known quality kiddie literature that may not get shelf time at the bigger chain stores. With more than 500 titles currently listed, recommendations range from the foreign or fables and folklore to the familiar and familial. After filling your cart with formerly unknown titles, the site directs your order to Amazon — it couldn’t be easier.

It’s for those times when getting a great new book for bedtime reading feels like finding a needle in a haystack.

Visit onepotato.net.

With so many great children’s books out there, how do you pick one that’s engaging, educational and age-appropriate?

What to Read When: The Books and Stories to Read with Your Child — and All the Best Times to Read Them guides parents through the process of finding that perfect book for any child at any moment. Award-winning educator and literacy advocate Pam Allyn offers an annotated list of more than 300 titles, broken down by childhood themes (from friendship to divorce), age and stage, and type of book (pop-ups, tactile, books for the bath). Family-oriented tips, like how to create a comfortable reading place in the home, will help foster a lifetime love of reading.

Available at whattoreadwhen.com.

Another Mother’s Day, another bottle of perfume. This year, go for something more personal.

Foreverlily is a new fragrance inspired by author Beth Nonte Russell’s memoir of the unexpected adoption of her daughter Lily from China. Throughout her book, Forever Lily, the power of scent helps draw parallels with the personal awakenings Nonte Russell experienced during the incredible journey that all parents will find inspiring. This resulting eau de parfum is an Oriental blend that reminds you of life’s sweeter moments — however unexpected.

Available at goodtruebeautifulinc.com.

What name haven’t you heard on the playground? Whether it’s your first child or your fifth, coming up with a unique moniker (that won’t get him teased on said playground) is hard work.

The newest addition of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to 40,000 Baby Names will help you find something special, whether he’s named after a president’s kid (like Lyon Gardiner, son of John Tyler) or a rap star (Andre, Kanye or Wayne). Thousands of ideas and 200 lists, culled from everyone from American Idol finalists to vampires, are sure to give you inspiration to the babe-to-be you now call “Sprout.”

Available at amazon.com.

Looking for a light read? These new mommy memoirs give a glimpse into life with baby, in all different forms.

Rattled! by Christine Coppa
This blogger’s (Storked on Glamour.com) new book honestly details her story of dating in NYC, getting accidentally pregnant at 26, moving back to the Jersey suburbs (and as she says, “trading skinny jeans for sweatpants”) — and finally, finding contentment in her new family of two.

Mommywood by Tori Spelling
The reality show regular goes beyond Tori & Dean in her tales of raising kids in Hollywood. From racing to lose the baby weight (and trying to hide her second pregnancy from the press) to belly creams and birthday party mishaps, Spelling offers a candid look into being a mom in the spotlight.

Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
Her New York Times piece on loving her husband more than her kids caused an uproar. Now, Waldman tackles the notion of being a “good mother” in her memoir-slash-manifesto about the messy details of modern-day parenting and the impossibile quest for perfection.