Amy Hatch
Twitter Follow Friday on ParentDish!
Love Twitter? So do we! It can be tough to keep tabs on all your favorite "Tweeters" from the "Twitterverse" -- but don't worry, we've got you covered! Here's our favorite parenting Tweets of the week. Follow ParentDish on Twitter to join the discussion (who knows, maybe we'll feature you here!). |
Mommy4Cocktails The Baby totally should have skipped that second cup of coffee. |
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BOREDmommy My husband just changed 2yo's diaper without me asking. Hell has just frozen over. Madoff, you will be needing your ice skates. |
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Mom101 Know what's fun? Being in a business meeting and reaching for a pen but pulling out a tampon. |
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poshmama ATTN LADIES: sports bras are to be worn UNDER your shirt NOT as a replacement for a shirt. Thank you! |
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redneckmommy Dying laughing. I just snuck up on the kids and shook the tent and made two of them cry from fear. I LOVE being a grownup sometimes |
Read any good Tweets? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!
Don't Let Swine Flu Spoil Summer Camp
Don't let swine flu stop you from sending your kids to camp this summer. Image: sxc.hu
"It's important for parents to know it's safe to send their healthy child to camp. Camp is an extraordinary experience, providing friendship, leadership, and enrichment activities," says Peg Smith, chief executive office of the American Camp Association. "ACA-accredited camps have been monitoring the H1N1 situation since mid-April, and they are doing everything they can to provide a safe and healthy environment."
Indeed, camps like the Frost Valley Y.M.C.A camp in Claryville, NY are adding some new chores to their pre-camp checklist, such as wiping down doorknobs with bleach and preparing three negative-pressure isolation rooms to accommodate any campers who may fall ill.
"We think we're ahead of the curve, but who knows?" says Jerry Huncosky, chief executive officer of Frost Valley. "I think it's the 'who knows?' that we're preparing for."
New York City physician Dr. Erika Schwartz is medical director of Cinergy Health, and she says Frost Valley is doing exactly what it should to prepare for the swine flu -- and, she says, it is also what camps already know how to do.
When Mommy Drinks Too Much
The stress of parenthood can lead moms to drink too much. Photo: sxc.hu
Wilder-Taylor not only decided to stop drinking, she decided to share her secret with the world in her ironically named column, "Make Mine A Double: Tales of Twins and Tequila" on the parenting website, Mommy Track'd: "I drink seven nights a week," she writes. "Sometimes just a glass of wine but usually two or three or even more. I always seem to have some sort of excuse like, 'Today was an exceptionally stressful day so I deserve an extra glass now that it's all done.'"
Before her last pregnancy with twins, Wilder-Taylor was a fierce defender of the martini play date; the title of her first book is a humorous nod to alcohol and parenting. In "Sippy Cups Are Not For Chardonnay," she chronicles the first years of parenting her eldest daughter, Elby.
But she quit drinking on May 22, and her story resonates with lots of moms, if the comments on Wilder-Taylor's revealing post are any indication. Says one woman: "My wake-up call on alcohol was the day I had to go get wine to finish Halloween costumes...at 10 a.m. and later in the day took [my kids] to a Halloween party at the local Catholic church having been using wine all day long."
Kids Fast Friends After Tandem Heart Transplants
Two British kids who lived just two streets apart had heart transplants on the same day, in the same hospital. Photo: sxc.hu
Devon and Kevin Skinner watched their son suffer from leukemia and chemotherapy that weakened his heart to the point where he collapsed in his mother's arms after heart failure. Stefanie and Ian Walsh knew that their daughter would face significant health challenges after pre-natal scans revealed that her arteries were arranged in the wrong position.
Despite the fact that they were nearly neighbors, it was the months of waiting for a heart transplant that brought the children -- and their parents -- together. "It was a terrible time but was made a little bit easier by having Stef and Ian there," says Patrick's mom, Devon Skinner.
Michael Jackson May Not Be Kids' Biological Dad
Celeb parenting, Behaving badly, In the news
In the latest twist in the Michael Jackson saga, the King of Pop's second ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, has claimed that the late pop icon is not the biological father of her two children, Prince, 12, and Paris, 11, and that the marriage was a sham. She adds that she does not want custody of the kids, saying she is "no good" as a mother.
Jackson, 50, died June 25 after heart failure. It is not known who will take custody of Prince, Paris and a third child, Prince Michael II (Blanket), 6.
"The Brisbane Times" re-caps the interview, which was originally published by the UK's "News Of The World." In it, Rowe allegedly reveals that she was artificially inseminated by an anonymous donor and treated like "a thoroughbred mare" during her pregnancy: "I was just the vessel. It wasn't Michael's sperm. I got paid for it, and I've moved on. I know I will never see my children again."
Prince and Paris, and half-brother Prince Michael II are reportedly living with their paternal grandmother, 79-year-old Katherine Jackson, who filed for custody in Los Angeles Superior Court this week. Their guardianship has yet to be officially decided, and it's likely that a long -- and messy -- court battle over their custody will ensue. One thing is certain, according to Rowe: Prince and Paris will not be living with her. She was never "cut out to be a mother," she says.
Jackson, 50, died June 25 after heart failure. It is not known who will take custody of Prince, Paris and a third child, Prince Michael II (Blanket), 6.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, center, wearing a traditional Arabic woman's veil and all-covering gown called an abaya, with his son, Prince Michael II, also veiled, as they walk in Bahrain in 2006.
Hasan Jamali, AP
Michael Jackson, center, is supported by his security personnel as he walks into the courthouse with his father Joe Jackson, right, after arriving late to Santa Barbara County Superior Court, on March 10, 2005.
Kimberly White, Pool / AP
Michael Jackson applauds his fans while on top of his car after his arraignment on child molestation charges in Santa Maria, California on January 16, 2003.
Hector Mata, AFP / Getty Images
Michael Jackson's booking photo and personal information shown in this copy of a release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department after Jackson was booked on child molestation charges in Santa Barbara, CA, on November 20, 2003.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department / AP
Michael Jackson holds his eight-month-old son Prince Michael II over the balcony of the Adlon Hotel in 2002 in Berlin, Germany. Jackson was in Berlin with his three children to accept a lifetime achievement award.
Olaf Selchow, Getty Images
Minders escort the veiled children of Michael Jackson as they visit the Berlin Zoo in November 2002.
Sadek Hamaiel, Getty Images
Michael Jackson holds an unidentified child as he stands in the window of his suite in the Adlon hotel in Berlin.
Jockel Finck, AP
A masked Jackson traveling in Berlin, Germany.
Eric Richard, Getty Images
Michael Jackson testifies during his civil trial in Santa Maria Superior Court on December 3, 2002 in Santa Maria, California.
Jim Ruyman, Pool / Getty Images
Michael Jackson testifies in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, on November 13, 2002 in Santa Maria, CA.
Spencer Weiner, Pool / AP
"The Brisbane Times" re-caps the interview, which was originally published by the UK's "News Of The World." In it, Rowe allegedly reveals that she was artificially inseminated by an anonymous donor and treated like "a thoroughbred mare" during her pregnancy: "I was just the vessel. It wasn't Michael's sperm. I got paid for it, and I've moved on. I know I will never see my children again."
Prince and Paris, and half-brother Prince Michael II are reportedly living with their paternal grandmother, 79-year-old Katherine Jackson, who filed for custody in Los Angeles Superior Court this week. Their guardianship has yet to be officially decided, and it's likely that a long -- and messy -- court battle over their custody will ensue. One thing is certain, according to Rowe: Prince and Paris will not be living with her. She was never "cut out to be a mother," she says.
Twitter Follow Friday On ParentDish!
Love Twitter? So do we! It can be tough to keep tabs on all your favorite "Tweeters" from the "Twitterverse" -- but don't worry, we've got you covered! Here are our favorite parenting Tweets of the week. Their outspoken, hilarious and smart remarks make Twitter a blast. Follow them, you won't regret it -- and then follow ParentDish on Twitter to join the discussion (who knows, maybe we'll feature you here!). |
secretagentmama 5 o'clock...crack! |
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thisfullhouse Perhaps today would be a good day to start taking my coffee black...yes, I am THAT lazy. |
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ParentopiaDevra My then 4 year old once confronted a smoker at the Wichita airport with "Your lungs are black and gookie and you're going to die." |
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Sundry I just gave my children a giant overturned metal pot and spoons to bang it with because the ensuing noise is better than the ALTERNATIVE. |
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Issascrazyworld With Twitter, I will never again have to read Golf week magazine in a dentists office again. |
Read any good Tweets? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!
Michael Jackson's Children Face Uncertain Future
As the world mourns the death of American pop icon Michael Jackson, everyone is wondering -- what will happen to his kids?
Who will end up raising Michael Jackson's three children? No one is sure right now. The fate of Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and 6-year-old Prince Michaell II ("Blanket") may be decided in a courtroom. Debbie Rowe, mother to Prince and Paris, allegedly gave up her parental rights to the kids not once, but twice. Jackson never publicly acknowledged who Blanket's mother was, claiming that the child was conceived using a surrogate he never met "and my own sperm cells."
"If the [surrogate] mother did not relinquish her parental rights, she can seek custody," attorney Gloria Allred told the "New York Daily News" yesterday. "If he indicated in his will the person whom he wishes to serve as guardian, then the court will give great weight to his preference." But who Jackson might have named as guardian is still a mystery.
What's left of the singer's vast but dwindling fortune (reports say that Jackson was $500 million in debt at the time of his death) is certain to play a role in the legal battler over the children, and some sources close to the family said that ex-wife Rowe may take custody of all three kids, despite her earlier relinquishment of her rights.
What is certain is that there are three kids who woke up this morning without a father. No matter how flawed Jackson may have been, there were small people who depended on him, and whose world will never be the same again. The lavish lifestyle bestowed on them by their increasingly indebted dad has disappeared, and any stability they may have had along with it. Our hearts go out to the Jackson kids.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, center, wearing a traditional Arabic woman's veil and all-covering gown called an abaya, with his son, Prince Michael II, also veiled, as they walk in Bahrain in 2006.
Hasan Jamali, AP
Michael Jackson, center, is supported by his security personnel as he walks into the courthouse with his father Joe Jackson, right, after arriving late to Santa Barbara County Superior Court, on March 10, 2005.
Kimberly White, Pool / AP
Michael Jackson applauds his fans while on top of his car after his arraignment on child molestation charges in Santa Maria, California on January 16, 2003.
Hector Mata, AFP / Getty Images
Michael Jackson's booking photo and personal information shown in this copy of a release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department after Jackson was booked on child molestation charges in Santa Barbara, CA, on November 20, 2003.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department / AP
Michael Jackson holds his eight-month-old son Prince Michael II over the balcony of the Adlon Hotel in 2002 in Berlin, Germany. Jackson was in Berlin with his three children to accept a lifetime achievement award.
Olaf Selchow, Getty Images
Minders escort the veiled children of Michael Jackson as they visit the Berlin Zoo in November 2002.
Sadek Hamaiel, Getty Images
Michael Jackson holds an unidentified child as he stands in the window of his suite in the Adlon hotel in Berlin.
Jockel Finck, AP
A masked Jackson traveling in Berlin, Germany.
Eric Richard, Getty Images
Michael Jackson testifies during his civil trial in Santa Maria Superior Court on December 3, 2002 in Santa Maria, California.
Jim Ruyman, Pool / Getty Images
Michael Jackson testifies in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, on November 13, 2002 in Santa Maria, CA.
Spencer Weiner, Pool / AP
Who will end up raising Michael Jackson's three children? No one is sure right now. The fate of Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and 6-year-old Prince Michaell II ("Blanket") may be decided in a courtroom. Debbie Rowe, mother to Prince and Paris, allegedly gave up her parental rights to the kids not once, but twice. Jackson never publicly acknowledged who Blanket's mother was, claiming that the child was conceived using a surrogate he never met "and my own sperm cells."
"If the [surrogate] mother did not relinquish her parental rights, she can seek custody," attorney Gloria Allred told the "New York Daily News" yesterday. "If he indicated in his will the person whom he wishes to serve as guardian, then the court will give great weight to his preference." But who Jackson might have named as guardian is still a mystery.
What's left of the singer's vast but dwindling fortune (reports say that Jackson was $500 million in debt at the time of his death) is certain to play a role in the legal battler over the children, and some sources close to the family said that ex-wife Rowe may take custody of all three kids, despite her earlier relinquishment of her rights.
What is certain is that there are three kids who woke up this morning without a father. No matter how flawed Jackson may have been, there were small people who depended on him, and whose world will never be the same again. The lavish lifestyle bestowed on them by their increasingly indebted dad has disappeared, and any stability they may have had along with it. Our hearts go out to the Jackson kids.
Recession Cutting Maternity Leaves Short
Newborns, Pregnancy & birth, Money & work
More and more moms are missing the early days with their babies because of the recession. Image: sxc.hu
The two do have one thing in common -- niether woman was able to enjoy a traditional maternity leave after the recent births of their children. Murphy made the painful decision to go back to the office after just three weeks, and Fletcher kept working right up to and right after the birth of her youngest son, Lucas, six months ago.
When asked if she planned to take any time off after Lucas' birth, Fletcher replies: "I tried, but right before I went into labor with my 6-month-old, I signed a contract with a time-share company to do all their travel content. They placed a deposit on my services and I had to bring in more money to cover our expenses. My husband had just lost his job as a customer service representative at a credit company."
Fletcher's story is not unusual -- more and more women are deciding to truncate their maternity leaves due to money woes brought on by the recession. Greg Szymanski is a human resources manager for a real estate development company in Seattle, and he says the women he sees are "planning their return to work before they've even had their babies."
Sarah Jessica Parker Surrogate Gives Birth
Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker welcomed twin girls. Photo: Getty Images
Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick weighed in at 5 pounds 11 ounces, and Tabitha Hodge Broderick weighed 6 pounds. "The babies are doing beautifully and the entire family is over the moon," said publicist Simon Halls, in a statement released Tuesday. Halls also said that Hodge and Elwell are family names on Parker's side.
The girls were born at 3:58 p.m. at East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry, Ohio. The woman who carried Parker's and Broderick's twins has not been named.
Last month, the "Sex In The City" star told "Access Hollywood" that the surrogate mother's telephone number and computer had been hacked, and that woman had been threatened. Now, authorities are investigating two Ohio police chiefs after accusations that the men broke into the surrogate's home in Martins Ferry. The cops were allegedly looking for photographs or other information to sell to tabloids.
Parker, 44, and Broderick, 47, confirmed in April that they had hired a surrogate in order to have more children. They have one son already, James Wilkie, who is 6 years old, but were unable to conceive any other babies. Surrogacy is when a woman is implanted with a fertilized egg from genetic parents. A surrogate mother is not a genetic relative of the child she carries and gives birth to.
Now we want to see some pictures, Sarah Jessica -- and when will the girls be getting their first pair of Manolos?
Most Popular Baby Names 2008
Boys
10. Matthew
Actor Rob Lowe and his wife Sheryl Berkoff gave their youngest son this name.
Bauer-Griffin
Boys
9. Christopher
California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shriver named one of their two sons Christopher.
David McNew, Getty Images
Boys
8. William
Country crooner Brad Paisley and his wife, "According to Jim" actress Kimberly Williams, gave their first born this moniker.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Boys
7. Anthony
Actor Eric Estrada named his oldest son Anthony.
Beck Starr, FilmMagic
Boys
6. Alexander
This is the name actors Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber chose for their eldest (and adorable!) son.
Christopher Peterson, BuzzFoto / FilmMagic
Boys
5. Daniel
Mom of four, Patricia Heaton, gave her littlest guy this name.
Axelle / Bauer-Griffin
Boys
4. Joshua
Donny Osmond and wife Debra Glenn have five sons, the youngest of which they gave 2008's fourth most popular name to.
Kevin Parry, WireImage
Boys
3. Ethan
Actor Bruce Davidson named his son Ethan.
Jon Kopaloff, FilmMagic
Boys
2. Michael
Comedian, actor and producer Damon Wayans gave his second son this name.
Jeff Vespa, WireImage
Boys
1. Jacob
The son of actor James Cann and wife Linda Stokes has the most popular boys' name of 2008.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Summer Road Trip Tips for Families
Fun & activities, Playground bureau
Traveling with kids doesn't have to be painful. Photo: sxc.hu
While the ocean beckons, the idea of packing enough clothing and gear for 30 days on the road with two adults and two kids under 5 makes me feel like crying. What's that? You want me to stop complaining? Well, chew on this for a minute --- that's 1,400 miles ONE WAY.
Yeah, it's crazy. But spending two full months in the flatlands of the Midwest without any water in sight makes for one miserable summer. What's a mom to do when faced with a dilemma like this? Does she throw up her hands and stay home?
No way! Never fear, parents. I've been doing this "15 hours in a mini-van" thing for the past three years, and I humbly call myself a bit of an expert. Need proof of my credentials? I spent the last two years writing a family-travel column, so I know of what I speak.
Here are my tried-and-true travel tips, gathered from experience and experts alike:
