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Christie Brinkley - Concerned mom or interfering ex?

Divorce & custody, Celeb parenting, Behaving badly

Christie BrinkleyKnowing that his recent 20/20 interview discussing his divorce would hurt their kids, Peter Cook and Christie Brinkley did the smart thing and got their kids out of town the night it aired. (Though one could argue that it isn't smart to air your dirty laundry in public in the first place). But before he could leave, his method of transportation caused an even bigger ruckus.

As Peter was planning to put his children on a single engine airplane, his daughter Sailor, 10, reportedly called mom Christie Brinkley in tears, because she was afraid to board the plane. Christie survived a 1994 helicopter crash and now always flies her family in bigger aircraft. Christie allegedly called the police, attempting to stop the plane from taking off with the kids on board, even offering to pay for a flight on a larger plane.

Because Peter wasn't doing anything technically illegal, the family was allowed to continue on with their trip. According to a source from the Cook camp, "They left and had a wonderful flight." Peter is trying to spin the incident as just another opportunity for Christie to interfere with his time with the kids. But sources close to Christie say that this has always been a family rule, and that as sole custodial parent, she has the right to make that decision.

Just another celebrity couple reminding us that divorce is never easy, but that a Hollywood divorce comes with it's own set of problems. What do you think?

How would you have handled this situation?

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Economic crisis means more babies

Just for moms, Just for dads, Love & sex, Pregnancy & birth, Fun & activities, In the news

It is hard to find anything good to say about the economic crisis that has gripped not just the United States, but much of the world. People are losing their retirement savings, their jobs, their homes, their sense of security. Many of us have altered our normal spending habits and instead of going out to dinner or a movie, we stay home and find something else to do. Apparently in Britain, that 'something else' is sex. And according to some, this at-home recreation is having an impact on the sales maternity clothes, pregnancy tests, and sex toys (not necessarily in that order).

While many businesses are downsizing and wondering just how they will survive, those who specialize in sex-related merchandise are experiencing a boom. Pharmacies report a 20% increase in the sales of pregnancy tests and one chain selling maternity wear boasts of a 46% increase. As Miranda Levy, editor of Mother & Baby Magazine, points out: "What's cheaper and more fun than making babies?

Making babies with the help of sex toys, that's what! One online sex toy shop claims to have experienced a 27% increase in sales since the economy began melting down. "We are gobsmacked by the upturn in sales, while everyone else seems to be suffering. We've especially noticed the rise in sales of couples' toys, showing that people are buying for play with their partners," said Monique Carty, a spokesperson for the store.

I think it is great that couples are rekindling their romance in these times of trouble. But in about nine months, those who end up shopping in the maternity stores are going to find that staying home and having sex is a play now, pay later kind of fun. Ultimately, dinner and a movie would have been much cheaper.

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Drop-off trick-or-treating

Preschoolers, Kids 5-7, Kids 8-11, Fun & activities, Holidays, Playground bureau, Weird but true

plastic pumpkin Across the country, kids are gearing up for the one holiday when it is socially acceptable to ask perfect strangers for candy, and some people are scouting out locations that might offer a better selection for their little ghosts and goblins.

Residents in some cities and neighborhoods across the country complain that on Halloween eve, minivans full of kids from other locations will show up on their street and expel gaggles of ghouls looking for high-quality treats. Some websites even go so far as to publish the best locations in town.

Just what makes a neighborhood prime trick-or-treating real estate? Thickly settled, well-lit streets with plenty of porch lights glowing, and low automobile traffic, well as a high ratio of homes decked out in Halloween finery. Perception doesn't hurt, either -- neighborhoods with a reputation for wealth are more likely to draw visitors from other areas.

Just how acceptable is it to engage in drive-by trick-or-treating? It depends on which side of the street you're on. Those in popular locations grumble that parents are looking for a way get "better pickings" for their kids, without having to reciprocate, while others claim it is a matter of safety. Imagine what it's like for parents of kids who live in Chicago's notorious public housing, for example.

What do you think? Would you drop your child off in a "better" neighborhood on Halloween, or do you find the practice obnoxious and greedy?

Would you trick or treat in another neighborhood?




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Cutting back by cutting children's hair at home

Money & work

scissorsMy girls need a haircut, both of them. But we're cutting back, and paying $14 a piece for a trim just doesn't make much sense. And so tomorrow I'll pull out my scissors and try my hand at it. Keep in mind that the last time I did this, the hairstylist who corrected my attempt had to show at least two of her co-workers, because she just couldn't get over what a terrible job I did.

So. Yeah.

Today, I decided to do a little research. WikiHow advised me to gather my materials ahead of time, including a fine-tooth comb, spray bottle with water, sharp scissors, and possibly a DVD to keep wiggly kids busy while I try to avoid ruining their hair forever. But after reading their detailed directions, I'm daunted by the idea of "sectioning." I tried a couple other websites and watched a few videos, and ... well ... I'm feeling a little less confident. How do I get my kindergartner's bob to curl under in that cute way that it does?

So, plan B. I've decided that if I just trim their bangs, they can get by another month without haircuts. In fact, HGTV has some good advice for making bangs look more natural, rather than a straight (or in my case, somewhat uneven) line across the forehead. As for the rest, I'll leave the styling to the stylist.

Are you braver than me when it comes to cutting your own kids' hair? Share your tips with us!

Image of the Day - Decisions

Image of the Day



Which one will it be? Looks like this little one might need some help from her parents! Thanks to markpuhl for this colorful photo of the season.

If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll highlight an image every day. Remember: we're on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on our main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day.

Have a particularly great Halloween photo to share? We're assembling a reader gallery of Cute Costumed Kids -- share your photos in our Flickr pool and check AOL Living's new Holiday Hub starting October 17 to see the full package!

Postpartum depression strikes dads, too

Newborns, Just for dads, Medical conditions

dad with babyThanks to widespread attention from the media and the medical establishment, we're all aware of the risk of postpartum depression. We know what to watch for in ourselves and in our girlfriends after the baby comes, and we know how important it is to get help before the "baby blues" turn into something more serious.

But it's not just new moms who are at risk -- new dads can suffer from postpartum depression, too. And it may be more common than you would imagine. According to Will Courtenay, a San Francisco, California-based psychotherapist, and a leading expert on paternal postpartum depression, "Each day in the U.S., 1,000 new dads become depressed, and according to some studies that number is as high as 3,000. That's as many as one in four news dads who become depressed."

While a variety of factors can trigger postpartum depression in new dads, there are things to watch for: dads of high-need babies (with colic, for example) may be at more risk, as will the partners of women who are prone to depression. And of course any parent with a history of depression prior to the birth of a baby should be prepared for a return of the depression once the baby arrives.

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Healthier Halloween treats

Holidays, Eating & nutrition

candy cornMy husband and I share the personal opinion that we're doing our kids a favor by eating their Halloween candy at night. After all, they don't need the sugar, right? Of course, neither do we, but we don't usually acknowledge that fact while fighting over the last mini-Snickers bar.

If our neighbors start handing out treats like those suggested in this gallery from Forbes, there wouldn't be any arguments, because there wouldn't be anything good to fight over. But these treats are healthier for kids, so they're worth taking a look at. For instance, Forbes recommends avoiding:
  • sticky candy, like caramels
  • snack cakes
  • full-sized candy bars

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Boys are no bargain

Time Out

For some reason, when out and about with my sons, strangers feel inclined to either warn me about how much trouble the future holds ("All boys?! I don't envy YOU!") or how very fortunate I am to have offspring that won't get all hormonal and pissy every four weeks. I assume parents of girls experience the same thing ("All girls? Whew, no jock straps or foot funk for you, lucky thing!") and I've have never given much thought to these infoprophecies. But there was one I did buy into-that having boys is less expensive than girls.

It starts early on. For every five racks of lacy pink apparel in a children's store, there is one row of blue clothing embellished with either a dinosaur, a vehicle, or some type of ball. Sometimes all three! Boys don't wear tights or ruffle panties, need matching headbands or shoes every color of the rainbow so parents spend way less on accessories. And according to the old rules, other than the rehearsal dinner and booze at the reception, the groom's parents definitely had a sweetheart when it came to paying for weddings. Being all modern and progressive, we'll pay for half the wedding expenses (provided the bride stealing my baby boy is not a total hag, of course.)

However, having just experienced our first high school homecoming formal as parents, I'm starting to rethink the whole boys-are-bargains myth.

Renting the tuxedo was our first clue that this would be a night our VISA card would remember. We had rented cars in the past for less than one night of being a sharp dressed man cost! Savvy shopper high school girls found adorable dresses on sale (or at consignment shops or Ebay) that they own and can wear again. Point for girls.

Then there were the flowers. The single rose boutonniere that no one knows how to attach to a lapel anymore -$8 plus tax. A lovely wristlet of baby roses for a lovely wrist- $25. Again, point for the girls.

Guys (or rather, the guys' parents) are in charge of paying for tickets for the dance, dinner for two, gassing and cleaning the car, while girls' expenses include a hair appointment, manicure, pedicure, and new shoes.

Assuming the boys attended every formal from sophomore year on, we'll have paid the expenses for 12 Homecomings and 4 Senior Proms. Suddenly those antiquated wedding payment plans don't seem quite as lopsided-the parents of boys have pre-paid in high school!

Classic trousers for work AND play

Just for moms, Mommy musts

Mom|Style

Working moms have to do a lot during the day; there's the work stuff (meetings and sales calls and paperwork) and the mom stuff (car pool and soccer practice and homework). And then there's all the other stuff that needs to get done -- laundry and groceries and dinner and bedtime stories.

Your working mom wardrobe shouldn't be split into WORK clothes and MOM clothes; there's no reason you can't wear the same pair of pants to a meeting and to a soccer game. Look for classic cuts and washable fabrics; shop for pants in neutral colors that will work with everything else in your closet. But don't be afraid of pattern -- a great plaid or tweed pant is can be versatile and fun.

We've found five pairs of pants that can go from a meeting to the park with ease; it all depends on how you wear them. Take a look and think about retiring your Mom Jeans and replacing them with something a little more chic and grown up -- and a little more professional.

Lisa Marie Presley gives birth

Bump watch, Celeb kids, Celeb parenting

lisa marie presleyConsidering the grief that Lisa Marie Presley got before she announced her pregnancy last March, I don't blame her one bit for keeping quiet about giving birth. But the word is out now and her publicist confirms that Elvis Presley's only child is a mom again. She and her husband Michael Lockwood welcomed their twin girls this past Tuesday and according to that publicist, "babies and mom are happy and healthy and resting at home."

The girls names have not been revealed, but we do know that they arrived via C-section, one weighing in at 5 pounds, 15 ounces and the other at 5 pounds, 2 ounces.

The babies make three and four for Presley, who has two teenage children from her first marriage to Danny Keough - 19-year-old Danielle Riley, and 15-year-old Benjamin Storm.

Congratulations to Presley and Lockwood!

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