Posts Tagged ‘112’

Headline: Parenting magazine gives you advice you actually want! BayAreaParent has a story in its January issue called “The Going Rate,” with a rundown on what parents pay, nationally, for certain gifts and services. The highlights:

The Tooth Fairy

“According to a Visa survey of parents, the average American child receives $3 per lost tooth from the Tooth Fairy. In a nod to inflation or overindulgence, 11 percent of the respondents reported paying $6 or more per tooth. It seems that the loss of the first tooth usually nets larger payments. The survey also found that the Tooth Fairy is more generous in the East ($3.40 a tooth) and South ($3.30), compared with the Midwest ($2.90) and West ($2.70). Locally, the consensus seems to be that it’s okay to offer a bonus if there’s a lot of blood, an injury, or a trip to the dentist required.”

Babysitters

“As with any job out there, pay for babysitting is commensurate with experience. The middle-schooler does not command the same hourly rate as the high-schooler, and the college student trumps them all. A few parents say they tend to pay more per hour if the children are still in diapers, or will throw in a tip should they stay out later than usual on date night.”

BayAreaParent did not elaborate with numbers, but we will: based on board scuttlebutt, mother’s helpers (young kids who must be supervised) earn $4-8 hourly; young sitters (neighbors, high school students) earn $6-12 hourly; pro sitters (college students taking education courses, agency sitters) earn $12-20 hourly. The more kids you have, the more of an urban area you live in, the later you want the sitter to stay, the more you pay.

Allowance

“According to a Nickelodeon/Yankelovich Youth Monitor Survey, the average allowance is $4.80 per week for 6- to 8-year-olds; $7 per week for 9- to 11-year-olds; and $16.60 per week for 12- to 17-year-olds. Parents tend to sit in two camps on allowance. Some pay based on the completion of a set list of chores. Other parents do not believe they should tie the money to chores, which they feel children should complete as members of the family.”

Choosing the right gifts for friends and family takes time, consideration, and dough. Competing with electronic gadgets and fancy kids toys and accessories seems an impossible and fruitless task. But, when the wrapping is long gone, and the hype has subsided, the right book can stay with a child for a lifetime.

If you’re giving books this holiday season, you can rely on the numerous Best of 2010 lists that have popped up online for assistance. We’ve also added some of our favorites as well. Happy December.

NYTimes Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2010

Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books of 2010

Kirkus Review 2010 Best Children’s Books: The Complete List

Our Choices for Great Gift Books:

For the Girls: A Song for a Princess by Rachel Mortimer and Maddy McClellan. (Ages 4-8) What gift will win the princesses attention so that she might smile again? Shared words, collected and cherished by a thoughtful bird. Available at Amazon.com

For the Boys: Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys by Bob Raczka and Peter Reynolds. (Ages 4-8) Introduce poetry to the messy outdoorsy boy in your family with these simple poems of fun. Available at Amazon.com

For Mom: 5 Ingredient Fix: Easy, Elegant, and Irrestible Recipes by Claire Robinson. The host of two Food Network shows shares recipes that are simple yet sophisticated we well as menu ideas. Available at Amazon.com

For Dad: Mad Men: The Illustrated World by Dyna Moe. The first officially licensed tie-in to AMC’s Emmy Award-winning show Mad Men. Available at Amazon.com

For Bedtime: The Sea of Sleep by Warren Hanson and Jim Lamarche. (Ages 4-8) A drifting to sleep sort of tale with dream like illustrations.Available at Amazon.com

For the Young Artist: Charley Harper Coloring Book of Birds. 32 black-and-white line drawings of illustrations from artist Charley Harper’s classic book Birds and Words. Available at Amazon.com

Most modern baby gear is cute and practical, but hardly worth holding on to.

For something more meaningful and lasting, check out the baby collection from Beekman 1802, a 200-year-old upstate New York farm turning out artisanal soaps and linens. Handmade 100-percent pure cotton swaddling cloths and bath blankets are woven by an award-winning master weaver and available in four colors inspired by historical dying techniques. An 8×8 inch washcloth is also hand-loomed and features a waffle weave for absorbency and softness. Pair it with the farm’s baby soap (a six-pack of chemical-free goat’s milk bars laced with soothing calendula to calm delicate skin) for a unique shower gift.

Heirloom-quality construction makes these linens keepers that can be passed down from generation to generation — and offers a far better legacy for your wee one than a onesie.

Available at beekman1802.com.

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.

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.

When it comes time to celebrate your favorite expecting, new or veteran mom this Mother’s Day, a little jewelry goes a long way. Below are some of the latest baubles with babies on the brain:

Personalized leather cuffs by Dillon Rogers show off your kids’ names or a special message. Available in colors from butter to Burgundy, the design comes in three widths made of soft, flexible leather.

Jennifer Fisher’s Sloane necklace lets you pile on the personalization with a quartet of 14k gold heart, moon and circle charms with diamond borders. The cool configuration leaves plenty of room to add even your pet’s initials — if your heart so desires.

New moms will love the unique calendar necklace from Dalla Nonna that commemorates a baby’s birth date. The piece, in 14k yellow, white or rose gold or sterling silver, is accented with a sapphire to highlight that special day.

For the frugal but fabulous, the Recession Betty necklace by Emily Elizabeth Jewelry features a puffy vintage brass moneybag charm (yellow/green/pink gold, white gold or brown/black gold) reminding us all to spend wisely.

Instead of handing over your hard-earned cash to a big corporate giant, you’re looking for ways to give back — even if it’s in small doses.

Online shop Namely Newborns (founded by two grandmothers, an interior designer and the co-founder of the Miami Children’s Museum) offers personalized gifts from artisans near and far. Colorful ABC quilts are handcrafted by women in rural Vietnam as part of Vietname Quilts, a community development non-profit organization. The cotton baby blankets are washable, and may be customized with baby’s name and birthdate.

You can feel a little less guilty splurging on your BFF’s baby shower gift knowing that it goes toward a good cause.

Available at namelynewborns.com.

Another friend had another baby, and while you’re happy for her new addition, it also means another gift. But she already has all the onesies in the world, her children’s library rivals Dr. Seuss and she’s got enough baby gear for Outward Bound.

Send a simple sweet treat: Simply Put Gourmet’s chocolate-covered pretzel get premium treatment for special occasions. The celebratory It’s a Boy or It’s a Girl varieties are drizzled with white chocolate and topped with pink or blue sprinkles. And at $10 for a box of six, you’ll get away with a thoughtful gift on the cheap.

Available at simplyputgourmet.com.

Yes, Valentine’s Day is commercialized and cheesy, and who has money to spend on showy displays of affection anyway?

Hugs and a few Hersey’s Kisses will certainly do the trick. But just in case you’re looking, below are a few takes on the traditional:

Jewelry
Pendants, like this opal, pink sapphire and seed pearl pin from Doyle & Doyle, are the type of jewelry investment to love now, then save for the next generation. $295 at doyledoyle.com.

Candy
To go beyond the usual Duncan Hines, NYC’s Tribeca Treats bakery will ship their pretty Hugs & Kisses Cupcake Box. Two vanilla and two chocolate cupcakes are decorated with Xs, Os and hearts, and wrapped with a pink ribbon. $9 at tribecatreats.com.

Cards
Write a lovely old-fashioned note to your sweethearts on Hello! Lucky’s hand-printed letterpress cards. The sock monkey or cuckoo-clock designs add an irreverent, modern spin. $4.50 at hellolucky.com.

Something Indulgent
For a mid-winter pick-me-up, go for the girly pink lip gloss, lip pencil and blush in the NARS Love Set. The azalea, mauve and peachy hues will help get you through this winter not-so-wonderland. $49 at sephora.com.

The term “push present” makes you cringe. What about a pretty piece that commemorates your DBs but doesn’t scream “mommy jewelry”?

Check out the casual-chic collection at Isabelle Grace. The handmade jewelry features the real stuff: semi-precious stones, sterling silver, vermeil, 14-karat gold and crystals. Personalized options include charm necklaces that you can customize with names, anniversary dates and birth stones in a sweet, subtle way.

Keep your loved ones close to your heart, without being pushy.

Available at isabellegracejewelry.com.