Cool Mom Picks

Parent Hacks gives Birthday Party Guidelines for Sane Parents.

Love Shack, Baby gives discusses Tips for Positive Parenting.

This week on the Smarter Babies & Kids Blog we covered:

 We showed you a fun idea found on FamilyFun.com. Turn your picnic table in a game table!

Stimulate your child’s senses with bright burp cloths & bibs from Maisey Mae.

Shop through Happy Mothers’ clearance section for some GREAT savings.

Check out a book called Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games & What Parents Can Do written by two Harvard researchers. 

Product recalls this week:

      Children’s Rain Panchos Recalled

      Infant Rattles & Hooded Jackets Recalled

“Take the toys away from young children and return them to the store where purchased for a refund or contact Manhattan Group to exchange the rattles for another toy.”

Click here to read the full press release.

Maran Inc. Children’s Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings were recalled due to “strangulation hazard”. They were sold exclusively at TJ Maxx.

“Immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard, or return the garments to the place where purchased or to Maran Inc. to receive a refund.”

Click here to read the full press release.

                              

So, the new Grand Theft Auto 4 video game just came out and about 140 million copies were sold with it’s release.  That’s pretty crazy considering most movies don’t even hit that number.  I know you all are great parents and will not be allowing your children to play this “mature” game, but I wanted to discuss an article that I found on MSNBC.com.  Two Harvard  researchers wrote a book called Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games & What Parents Can Do.

They actually talked to the kids to see how they felt about video games.

“The pair reached that conclusion after conducting a two-year study of more than 1,200 middle-school children about their attitudes towards video games.” ‘”What we did that had rarely been done by other researchers was actually talk to the kids. It sounds bizarre but it hadn’t been done,” Kutner said.”

Click here to read more about this study & it’s findings.  It’s pretty interesting. 

Click here to purchase Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games & What Parents Can Do.

Image Source: blog.lib.umn.edu

Avent ISIS iQ DUO Twin Electronic Breast Pump: $299.99 Now: $219.95 - Save: $79.05!

Bob Strollers Ironman Yellow Diaper Bag: $65.00 Now: $22.95 - Save $42.05!

Peter Potty My First Potty: $19.99 Now: $9.95 - Save $9.05!

Bobby Newborn Lounger: $34.99 Now: $25.95 - Save $8.05!

Cariboo Classic Changing Table: $350.95 Now: $249.99 - Save $109.01!

Click here for their entire collection of clearance items.

What would you say?  Post your caption in our comments section. 

                                                                    Preppy Flower Burp Cloth

                                                                      Rubber Ducky Burp Cloth

Click here to see the variety of cute designs you can choose from at MaiseyMae.com.

They also carry baby bibs.  I love these bibs because the colors are fun, bright & remind me of summer. :) They have velcro staps so they are easy to take on & off.  $39 for a bundle of three:

                                            ‘Madison’ Bib                                              ’Sophie Bib‘

                                                     ‘Luke’ Bib                                               ’Jake’ Bib

Click here to shop for more bibs at Smarter.com.

What you need:

- A small, unfinished picnic table
- Pencil and ruler
- Acrylic latex enamel paint
- Paintbrushes
- Square-shaped sponge (optional)
- Polyurethane

Directions:

1. Using a pencil and ruler, draw a design on the tabletop. We’ve included a checkerboard, a backgammon board, a sun, letters of the alphabet and numbers from zero to 20.

2. Once you are happy with the design, paint it on.

3. Paint the benches as you wish. We sponge-painted squares around geometric shapes.

4. Protect the table and benches with five coats of polyurethane (a parent’s job).

“Immediately remove the drawstrings from the rain ponchos to eliminate the hazard.”

Click here to read the full press release.

Actress Iyari Limon gives Celebrity Baby Blog the scoop on her pregnancy & the birth of her adorable daughter Kimaya Thais Alexandra. 

Inventors Spot features The Tummy Shield which will protect your baby bump while driving.

5 Minutes for Mom announced they are having a Veggie Tale Release Party where you can win an HP Digital Camera & Printer Dock!

This week on the Smarter Babies & Kids Blog we covered:

Check out the cute new Lisa Kline Kids line!

We gave you some online coupon codes for baby, kids’ & maternity stores.  Hurry & take advantage of them because they expire at the end of the month!

I love the “Clean Up” song from the hit Nickelodeon show “Yo Gabba Gabba”.  Apparently, 20 somethings love that show too.

Two product recalls this week:

        Swing Sets Recalled

        Baby Bottles & Food Warmers Recalled

“Stop using bottle and food warmers with lot number TP-1487 immediately and contact Munchkin to receive a free replacement.”

Click here to read the full press release and to see more pictures.