ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gif ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/BlackBerry for Kids - Educational or Addictive?http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/06/blackberry-for-kids-educational-or-addictive/http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/06/blackberry-for-kids-educational-or-addictive/http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/06/blackberry-for-kids-educational-or-addictive/#commentsFiled under:

It may look like a funky-colored smart phone, but this gaudy gadget doesn't make calls or send emails, and can't connect to the Internet. The new Text & Learn from Leapfrog is designed for kids who covet their parents "CrackBerry" -- so they can imitate mom and dad while exploring "core learning concepts" (like days of the week, recognizing letters, etc).

My four-year-old -- who likes to email her grandmother on my iPhone -- would adore this toy, and some tech-savvy parents think the Text & Learn would be a hit with their kids as well. One mom told the NY Daily News: "I would definitely consider getting one for Pete -- in the vain hope it would keep him away from my cell, which he thinks is the seventh wonder of the universe."

However others disagree, dismissing Leapfrog's claims that "Busy three-year-olds will love to 'play'" as "just plain wrong." Kathy Stiegel, a Maryland mom of two, is keeping the toy away from her kids because: "There's so much in the real world to learn and so many basic human skills to develop."

While it does technically teach computer skills, this is essentially similar to any other electronic learning device -- except that it looks like the beeping, buzzing, appendage you'll find permanently affixed to the email addicts among us. Is the Text & Learn the gateway drug to a life of obsessive electronic communication, or just a cute toy that prepares your child for the reality of a world run by gadgets?

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]]>blackberrygadgetsleapfrogtext learnTextLearntoysJonathon MorganFri, 06 Feb 2009 08:01:00 ESTDavid After Dentist - "Is This Real Life?"http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/05/david-after-dentist-is-this-real-life/http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/05/david-after-dentist-is-this-real-life/http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/05/david-after-dentist-is-this-real-life/#commentsFiled under:

If you didn't know poor 7-year-old David had just been to the dentist, you'd think he spent the last two days over-indulging at Burning Man. Gassed to the max from oral surgery, the little guy does his best Cheech & Chong impression while spacing out to an imaginary Grateful Dead soundtrack stuck on repeat in his mind. Dude, it's so trippy.

"Dad, is this real life?" David queries from the back seat of the family car.

"This is real life," his dad reassures him.

David's dad relives the glory days, chuckling at his little stoner. But the fun turns funky when the youngster sees what I can only assume is an army of flying pink elephants commanding David to "get off of their cloud!" That, or he's suddenly struck with an unbearable case of the munchies.

The video is a little creepy -- should parents be posting videos of their vulnerable children? -- yet oddly adorable and absolutely hysterical.

Update: Now the video has it's own soundtrack. Check it out below.




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]]>dentistdrugsfunny kids videoFunnyKidsVideostoned kids videoStonedKidsVideoJonathon MorganThu, 05 Feb 2009 09:00:00 ESTErykah Badu Names New Daughter 'Twitty Milk' (Maybe)http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/03/erykah-badu-names-new-daughter-twitty-milk-maybe/http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/03/erykah-badu-names-new-daughter-twitty-milk-maybe/http://www.parentdish.com/2009/02/03/erykah-badu-names-new-daughter-twitty-milk-maybe/#commentsFiled under:

When Erykah Badu went into labor this weekend, she and boyfriend Jay Electronica were determined to detail every moment in the run-up to their impending bundle of joy. The proud parents-to-be broadcast the birth in real time on Twitter, the super-trendy micro-blogging site, so friends and family could check in on the baby's progress.

Celebrity Baby Names

    Erykah Badu
    Erykah already has two children named Seven Sirius and Puma Rose, so when the singer announced on her Twitter page that she'd named her new daughter "Twitty Milk," we thought she might actually be serious.

    Getty Images

    Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck
    The couple brought home a baby sister for Violet, and named her Seraphina Rose Elizabeth. According to Laura Wattenberg, author of The Baby Name Wizard, "Seraphina is an old saint's name that comes from the biblical seraphim, a type of angel." Sounds like Affleck and garner have high hopes for their wee one. Hope she can live up to her big name.

    Getty Images

    Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa
    Former "Cosby Show" queen Lisa Bonet takes top honors for now with their newborn babe. Bonet says that the child "was born on the stormiest, rainy night, so Nakoa (warrior), Mana (strength/spirit), Kaua (rain) and po (dark). Multiple middle names? Could become a trend for 2009?

    Bobby Bank, WireImage

    Princess Tiaamii
    British "glamour model" Jordan (aka Katie Price) and "former pop star" Peter Andre named their daughter Princess because it was "unique." When the name was announced in 2007, The BBC reported that Jordan had wanted to call her Tinkerbell, but there were too many famous dogs with that name. Because that's really the only reason not to go with Tinkerbell.

    Getty Images

    Jermajesty Jackson
    Amazingly, this is not a child of Michael. Jermajesty is the son of Jermaine Jackson Alejandra Oiaza. And they say Mike is the crazy one.

    Bauer-Griffin

    Barron Trump
    The only thing that would make this name better is if it were Barron Von Trump. But alas, the middle name of the spawn of Donald and third wife Melania is William. Still, with dad's money and mom's bone structure, the kid is basically American royalty even if his name is Pubert.

    Bauer-Griffin

    Tu Morrow
    Rob Morrow may have been trying to revive his career when he named his daughter Tu in 2001. (Tu Morrow. As in "see you") It may have worked. Though Morrow's first TV series, "Northern Exposure", was canceled in 1995, he currently appears on "Numb3rs." Maybe Shelley Long should have a baby and name her Tu. (Tu Long? Get it? Oh never mind)

    Eric Charbonneau, WireImage

    Moxie CrimeFighter
    Penn Jillette and wife Emily clearly decided that they want their little girl to grow up to be a magician just like daddy. That way she can make this awful name disappear.

    Ethan Miller, Getty Images

    Harley Quinn
    Kevin Smith named his daughter after the Joker's sidekick in Batman comics. If he and wife Jennifer have a boy they can name him The Riddler, Clayface, Scarecrow the possibilities are endless.

    Bauer-Griffin

    b>Kal-El Coppola Cage
    Speaking of children named after superheroes, Nicholas Cage (née Coppola) and wife Alice Kim went with Kal-El, which every geek knows is Superman's real name. Little-known fact: it's also an ancient Hebrew phrase that, loosely translated, means, "My parents are rich and I will never have to hold a real job."

    David Westing, Getty Images



"Labor has begun," Electronica wrote (or "Tweeted"). "Everybody stand back. No hospitals. No doctors. No medicine. We're waiting for the midwife to show."

But the best update by far was penned by Badu, who posted "we named the baby twitty milk." I'm pretty sure (or at least I hope) she was joking -- though it wouldn't be shocking if Twitty truly is the named bestowed upon the new addition. Badu's two older children (with former partner André 3000 of OutKast) are named Seven Sirius and Puma Rose.

I also love the way Electronica surmised the overwhelming sensation of new fatherhood -- after the birth he simply blogged: "Feb. 1 2009 my first child, my daughter born at 130 PM exactly. It's the happiest day of my life." Couldn't have said -- or Tweeted -- it better.

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]]>celebritycelebrity parentsCelebrityParentserykah baduErykahBadujay electonicaJayElectonicaphoto galleryPhotoGallerytwittertwittyJonathon MorganTue, 03 Feb 2009 13:00:00 ESTAll the President's Children - Inauguration Photo Galleryhttp://www.parentdish.com/2009/01/20/all-the-presidents-children-inauguration-photo-gallery/http://www.parentdish.com/2009/01/20/all-the-presidents-children-inauguration-photo-gallery/http://www.parentdish.com/2009/01/20/all-the-presidents-children-inauguration-photo-gallery/#commentsFiled under: ,

Inauguration Kids

    Congratulations First Family! All eyes were on Barack and Michelle Obama as he made history as #44 and America's first black president. We at ParentDish are starstruck by Malia and Sasha, who have joined a most exclusive club of toddlers, children, teens and young adults: All the President's Children.

    Getty Images

    The Obama girls were easy, breezy and totally adorable on their father's inauguration day. Malia, 10, wore a double-breasted periwinkle-blue coat with a blue-ribbon tied in a bow at the waist. Seven-year-old Sasha wore a matching outfit in pinks and corals; both coats were from Crewcuts by J. Crew.

    Getty Images

    George W Bush takes the oath for his second term in 2005, as his wife Laura and daughters Jenna and Barbara stand with him at the podium.

    Getty Images

    Former Vice President Dick Cheney and wife Lynne watch the 2005 inauguration, flanked by their youngest family members.

    Getty Images

    Jenna Bush shows her University of Texas Longhorn pride at an inauguration party in 2005.

    Getty Images

    Jenna didn't fair so well during her father's first inauguration in 2001 -- this famous photo shows a nearly embarrassing wardrobe malfunction.

    Getty Images

    Chelsea Clinton kisses her father Bill as he cedes power to George W Bush at the 2001 inauguration.

    Getty Images

    Chelsea got a dance with dad when he was inaugurated for his second term in 1997.

    Getty Images

    Chelsea Clinton doing some on-the-ground reporting in the run-up in the days leading up to her father's inauguration as the 42nd president in 1993.

    Getty Images

    Then newly inaugurated Vice President Al Gore celebrates with his son Albert in 1993.

    Getty Images

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]]>photo galleryPhotoGalleryJonathon MorganTue, 20 Jan 2009 14:01:00 ESTAmazing 60-Year Pregnancyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2009/01/16/amazing-60-year-pregnancy/http://www.parentdish.com/2009/01/16/amazing-60-year-pregnancy/http://www.parentdish.com/2009/01/16/amazing-60-year-pregnancy/#commentsFiled under: ,

Surely after nine long months of labor most pregnant women get sick of the constant cracks from friends and coworkers about how they're "so huge!" or "ready to pop." Huang Yijun put up with it for 60 years. That's how long the 92-year-old woman from southern China carried her unborn child inside her belly.

Amazing Human Anomalies

    Largest identical birth
    While Preana, Audreana, Natalie and Melody aren't the world's only identical quadruplets, the chances of four identical babies is 1 in 11 million.

    Getty Images

    Smallest baby to survive
    Rumaisa (on the left) weighed only 8.6 ounces when she was born.

    Getty Images

    Tallest man in the world
    At approximately 8ft 3in tall, Leonid Stadnyk is the world's tallest human.

    Getty Images

    World's shortest man
    At only 2ft 4in tall, 19-year-old He Pingping is the world's shortest human.

    Getty Images

    World's tallest woman
    At 7ft 7in tall, Sandy Allen was the world's tallest woman until her death last month.

    Getty Images

    3rd smallest baby
    Zoe managed to survive after weighing only 10.8 ounces at birth. She was the 3rd smallest baby in US history.

    Getty Images

    15.2-pound baby
    This enormous baby was the largest ever in his home country of Indonesia, and one of the biggest babies on record around the world.

    Getty Images

    World's oldest man
    When this photo was taken in 2002, Yukichi Chuganji had made it to the ripe old age of 113.

    Getty Images

    World's oldest woman?
    Miriam Amash claims to be 120 years old (meaning she would have been born in 1888!). Her age is still being confirmed.

    Getty Images



Sadly, this bizarre condition resulted from a devastating tragedy. In 1948, when Huang first became pregnant, doctors told her that her baby had died in the womb. But the procedure to remove the fetus was expensive -- approximately $150. That was too much money for Huang, leaving her with only one option: Move on. "It was a huge sum at the time -- more than the whole family earned in several years so I did nothing and ignored it," it was reported in The Sun.

The mystery was only uncovered when Huang recently visited her physician, complaining of stomach pain. Her doctor was shocked to discover not only that her fetus had not decayed, but that she'd managed to persevere through such exceptional medical circumstances.

"I couldn't believe my eyes when I discovered she had a baby in her belly," Dr Liu Anbin at Qingshen hospital said. "I've been a doctor for more than 40 years and it's the first time I have seen something like this." Doctors are now trying to determine if they can or need to remove the fetus.

Let's pause for a moment and consider Huang, who has been "with child" since 1948. Amazing. "It's very rare that Huang can be so healthy," said Xu Xianming, director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at the hospital.

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]]>birthmedicalphoto galleryPhotoGallerypregnancyweirdJonathon MorganFri, 16 Jan 2009 08:48:00 ESTBristol Palin's Future Mother-In-Law Arrestedhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/12/19/bristol-palins-mother-in-law-arrested/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/12/19/bristol-palins-mother-in-law-arrested/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/12/19/bristol-palins-mother-in-law-arrested/#commentsFiled under:

Sarah Palin's ex-Vice Presidential campaign is edging ever-closer to a Jerry Springer episode -- her daughter Bristol's future mother-in-law has been picked up for drugs.

The Internets were abuzz during Palin's campaign with talk of the governor's then 17-year-old daughter's surprise pregnancy, but seemed generally supportive of Bristol and her 18-year-old beau, Levi. She bravely chose to have the baby, while he quit high school to get a job and support the fam -- and thus potential political disaster was reimagined as courageous young people taking a stab at the American Dream.

But it seems Levi's mom isn't the upstanding citizen her son appears to be. Sherry Johnston has been arrested on drug charges -- but not "sorry officer I smoke a doobie from time to time" drug charges. According to reports, grandma-to-be is on the hook for six felony counts, including "second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance," which is what they hit you with for manufacturing and distributing narcotics. Ouch.

The baby is due on Saturday, so it seems Sherry will be able to hold her grandson before she's tossed in the slammer (assuming she's not strung out). No word from the Palin's on how this affects their opinion of the future in-laws, but it can't be good.

Gallery: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin

Official portraitThe Alskan First FamilyVogue cover - Sarah PalinState of the State 2008

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]]>bristol palinBristolPalinlevi johnstonLeviJohnstonpoliticssarah palinSarahPalinsherry johnstonSherryJohnstonJonathon MorganFri, 19 Dec 2008 15:01:00 ESTJolie-Pitts Get One Step Closer to Perfectionhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/12/17/jolie-pitts-get-one-step-closer-to-perfection/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/12/17/jolie-pitts-get-one-step-closer-to-perfection/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/12/17/jolie-pitts-get-one-step-closer-to-perfection/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jolie-Pitts - One Step Closer to Perfection

    Just when it seemed you'd read every sappy tidbit about the picture-perfect Jolie-Pitts and their nigh-on-holy parenting prowess, it turns out these immaculate specimens are even more flawless than originally assumed. But no matter what they tell reporters, the Hollywood power couple don't exactly practice what they preach.

    James Devaney/WireImage.com

    Brad recently told Hello! magazine that he and his family are too cool for fancy Christmas presents, saying: "We do exchange gifts, although we don't feel any pressure to make them big or expensive gifts."

    Getty Images

    And not only that -- the reason the kids don't ask for the latest cheap, plastic, Elmo-inspired gadgets is because they don't watch American cartoons, thereby avoiding all the "manipulative" ads run by toymakers.

    Getty Images

    Which, to be fair, is nice to hear. After all, in tough economic times, it's refreshing that even the wealthiest families taking a sensible approach to the holiday madness.

    Or, it would be, if the Jolie-Pitts weren't just spouting off about their holier-than-thou approach to child rearing. 'Cause, as it turns out, Angelina can be quite the spendthrift.

    Getty Images

    Angie recently ordered a 2009 Ducati 1100s Monster for her hunky hubby's 45th birthday. The bike isn't available yet for us mere mortals, but when it is this hot ride will set you back $12,000.

    Ducati

    And you may remember in September of last year, when blogs were buzzing with the news that Angelina had bought daughter Zahara a mini Valentino braided leather shoulder bag (to match the grown-up version she was carrying at the time -- then worth $1695).

    JustJared.com

    Not that the Jolie-Pitts are horrible people (I mean, what else would you do with hundreds of millions of dollars to spend?) -- but next time you're bummed because your family doesn't live up to Brangelina's unattainable standards, remember that their squeaky-clean celebrity image is just as much PR spin as it is reality.

    Getty Images

    Angelina Jolie with Shiloh, Pax and Zahara walking in New Orlean's French Quarter in 2008.

    Chris Wolf, FilmMagic

    Brad Pitt carrying Shiloh and Zahara at the Lenval Hospital in Nice, where Angelina gave birth to twins Knox and Vivienne in July 2008.

    Lionel Cironneau, AP

    Brad Pitt with Maddox during the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in June 2008.

    Claudio Giovannini, AFP / Getty

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJoliebrad pittBradPittphoto galleryPhotoGalleryshilohJonathon MorganWed, 17 Dec 2008 07:00:00 ESTCartoon bunny attempts suicide, real-life children follow suithttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/09/12/cartoon-bunny-attempts-suicide-real-life-children-follow-suit/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/09/12/cartoon-bunny-attempts-suicide-real-life-children-follow-suit/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/09/12/cartoon-bunny-attempts-suicide-real-life-children-follow-suit/#commentsFiled under:


(Click the photo to see the Top 10 Children's Books on Life Changing Subjects)

A 12-year-old from Shanghai tragically committed suicide this week -- but one bookstore isn't blaming bad parents, exam pressure, or playgrounds bullies. Instead they're pointing the finger at a children's literature.

"Bunny Suicides," a cartoon book meant to be "darkly humorous," depicts the trials and tribulations of a quadruped with a death wish -- a cute little bunny that tries to end his life using a guillotine, a jet engine, a toaster, and a myriad of other offbeat mechanisms for offing himself.

Sure it's gruesome, but is it really inciting suicide? The city has seen a rash of attempts by young people this past week, and while some local stores claim the book is clearly a joke (albeit a morbid one), Bookuu Book City yanked it from their shelves -- worried that it might give kids ideas they could try at home. Bookuu's owners have replaced the darkly comedic comic with self-help books aimed at teens with depression and other mental problems.

Gallery: Children's Books on Life-Changing Subjects

Life With a New BabyMoving AwayExplaining 9/11Going to a HospitalDeath of a Pet


Seems like kids pushed to suicide by a hand-drawn rabbit might have deeper issues worth addressing, but that doesn't make the subject matter any easier to swallow. Is "Bunny Suicides" over the line?

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]]>bookbooksbunny suicidesBunnySuicideschinacomicsliteraturemental healthMentalHealthnewssuicideteen suicideTeenSuicideJonathon MorganFri, 12 Sep 2008 17:58:00 ESTBack to school guidehttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/08/21/back-to-school-guide-dont-publish/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/08/21/back-to-school-guide-dont-publish/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/08/21/back-to-school-guide-dont-publish/#comments

Continue reading Back to school guide

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]]>Jonathon MorganThu, 21 Aug 2008 19:00:00 ESTBlogger Listhttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/01/blogger-list/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/01/blogger-list/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/07/01/blogger-list/#comments

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]]>Jonathon MorganTue, 01 Jul 2008 11:47:00 ESTChannel Modules TESThttp://www.parentdish.com/2008/06/10/channel-modules-test/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/06/10/channel-modules-test/http://www.parentdish.com/2008/06/10/channel-modules-test/#comments

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]]>Jonathon MorganTue, 10 Jun 2008 00:08:00 ESTWhen are they old enough to watch Star Wars?http://www.parentdish.com/2007/12/05/when-are-they-old-enough-to-watch-star-wars/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/12/05/when-are-they-old-enough-to-watch-star-wars/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/12/05/when-are-they-old-enough-to-watch-star-wars/#commentsFiled under:

Over the past few months, my daughter has become obsessed with Star Wars. Whenever she gets bored in the car, at home, or on a walk, she asks me to tell her about Princess Leia and her Rebel friends in their fight against Darth Vader and the Empire.

In a way, it's cute. I like telling her about Obi-wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker and The Force. Plus, she very much enjoys my Yoda and Chewbacca impressions. We're more or less through Episodes IV, V and VI, just without some of the more grown-up details (she's still a little confused on how Darth Vader can be a bad guy and Luke Skywalker's father at the same time, or why the Rebels would spend so much time fighting the Empire in the first place).

On the other hand, through my description of this movie alone, my three-year-old has been introduced to following new concepts: weapons, purposefully injuring others (albeit in preemptive self-defense), and evil. I can only imagine what windows into the less child-friendly parts of humanity would open if she were to actually watch the movies.

Nevertheless, she really seems into it, so I'm trying to decide how long it'll be before we sit down with Episode IV for some quality father/daughter time. Help me Internets, I need some advice:

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]]>growing upGrowingUpmoviesstar warsStarWarsJonathon MorganWed, 05 Dec 2007 15:33:00 ESTHow to survive your family at the holidays (video)http://www.parentdish.com/2007/12/05/how-to-survive-your-family-at-the-holidays-video/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/12/05/how-to-survive-your-family-at-the-holidays-video/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/12/05/how-to-survive-your-family-at-the-holidays-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While I'm sure all of you undoubtedly love your husbands, wives, partners, children and so on, the same doesn't necessarily hold true for the extended family. Aunt Jeannie can't seem keep control of that obnoxious, abusive, and downright frightening little boy of hers, and you're not all that excited about cousin Mark's daughter teaching your confident, self-assured 10-year-old girl about Bratz dolls and eating disorders. Then there's your parents, who are always complaining, your siblings who can't stop bickering (even though they're all in their 40s!), and -- for some of you -- your grandparents, who refuse to stop making extremely racist comments in front of your kids.

Who needs a drink?

Better yet, maybe you need a Family Survival Kit. It comes complete with Criticism Canceling Headphones, Family Off, and Sleepy time Brat Darts. Hit play above or check it out on YouTube.

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]]>extended familyExtendedFamilyholidashholidaysvideoJonathon MorganWed, 05 Dec 2007 14:02:00 ESTAdvice Mamahttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/12/04/advice-mama/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/12/04/advice-mama/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/12/04/advice-mama/#comments

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]]>Jonathon MorganTue, 04 Dec 2007 16:02:00 ESTA better holiday letter: make a comic book insteadhttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/29/a-better-holiday-letter-make-a-comic-book-instead/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/29/a-better-holiday-letter-make-a-comic-book-instead/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/29/a-better-holiday-letter-make-a-comic-book-instead/#commentsFiled under: ,

Every year I look for better ways to write the traditional holiday letter -- updating my friends and family on all the trivial, mundane, or private accomplishments that didn't make onto a blog somewhere. I've always been impressed by a couple friends of mine, who send out a 12-panel comic strip in lieu of a letter -- with each panel representing their family's most important event of a given month. I, however, am a terrible artist, so it was impossible for me to steal their great idea -- until now.

Comic Life is a new application that lets you create comics from your photos. It's a little like Comeeko (the comic creator used by popular bloggers like Girls Gone Child), except that Comic Life allows you to create entire comic strips (and even entire comic books) instead of just single pages.

Because think about it: how much do you actually enjoy reading everyone else's tedious annual updates? I garauntee they feel the same way about yours. Make this year's correspondence a little more fun -- your friends and family will appreciate it.

[via swissmiss]

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]]>comiccomic stripsComicStripsholidashholiday letterHolidayLetterholidaysinternetonlinephotographyphotosJonathon MorganThu, 29 Nov 2007 16:31:00 ESTPosh Spice's kids get all the best presentshttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/29/posh-spices-kids-get-all-the-best-presents/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/29/posh-spices-kids-get-all-the-best-presents/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/29/posh-spices-kids-get-all-the-best-presents/#commentsFiled under: ,

Santa likes rich kids better than yours. Take the children of Posh Spice and David Beckham for instance. They're getting a tree house for Christmas this year -- which, at first glance, might seem pretty normal. But we're not talking about some home-made wooden fort David's building in the backyard -- the Beckham's new play time digs will cost $50,000.

Double that and you could buy an actual house.

Why this absurdly expensive Christmas present has to cost so much is beyond me. It's only 9ft tall, and doesn't even come with air conditioning, a hot tub, or the 72-inch plasma screen TV you'd expect to find in the world's most costly tree house. It's from Neiman Marcus, which I guess adds $47,000 to the price tag.

Now we know. That's what celebrities do with all their money.

[via Gearfuse]

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]]>celebritychristmasdavid beckhamDavidBeckhamholidashposh spicePoshSpicevictoria beckhamVictoriaBeckhamJonathon MorganThu, 29 Nov 2007 15:32:00 ESTIs Britney pregnant, or just completely insane?http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/29/is-britney-pregnant-or-just-completely-insane/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/29/is-britney-pregnant-or-just-completely-insane/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/29/is-britney-pregnant-or-just-completely-insane/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Just to prove that she isn't the most unfit parent in the history of the universe, Britney Spears (allegedly) was looking into adopting a couple kids from China. And then, to make matters worse, rumor had it that she was pregnant.

However, today the world can let out a collective sigh of relief, as the former pop star's "constant sidekick" revealed that the pregnancy claims (made by In Touch magazine) are "BS." Thank goodness. I don't know if I can stomach another Britney Spears custody battle.

Although, before we go dismissing the the pregnancy entirely, let's take a moment to think about Britney's credibility. Just yesterday she was nearly thrown out of the Hustler store in West Hollywood for removing her underwear and trying on a pair of "Barely Legal" boy's shorts in the middle of the store. I know In Touch is a tabloid, but at this point, I'm tempted to take their word over Britney's.

What do you think?

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[via Gawker]

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]]>britney spearsBritneySpearscelebritygossippregnant celebritiesPregnantCelebritiesrumorsJonathon MorganThu, 29 Nov 2007 14:34:00 ESTParis Hilton: "I wanna have a baby too"http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/28/paris-hilton-i-wanna-have-a-baby-too/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/28/paris-hilton-i-wanna-have-a-baby-too/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/28/paris-hilton-i-wanna-have-a-baby-too/#commentsFiled under:

Doesn't it suck when your best friend is getting so much attention that no one has time for you anymore? Welcome to the world of Paris Hilton, who's on again, off again BFF, Nicole Richie, is very famously pregnant with her first baby -- and, for the first time ever, overshadowing her buddy Paris.

In an attempt to get in on the action, Paris took an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, during which she told the daytime talk show diva that: "I wanna have a baby too."

To be fair, Paris was actually on the show to talk about her dogs (Ellen is celebrating canines this week), and her upcoming season of The Simple Life. That said, now that the world's most famous heiress is officially on the celebrity baby band wagon, I wonder if she has her eye on any potential fathers? Given who's available, which Hollywood stud do you think might make the best dad?

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]]>celebrityellen degeneresEllenDegeneresexpire-images:2008-11-27gossipparis hiltonParisHiltonrumorstvJonathon MorganWed, 28 Nov 2007 15:32:00 ESTK-Fed one of the "Most Influencial Men Under 45"http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/27/k-fed-one-of-the-most-influencial-man-under-45/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/27/k-fed-one-of-the-most-influencial-man-under-45/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/27/k-fed-one-of-the-most-influencial-man-under-45/#commentsFiled under:

Remember when Kevin Federline married Britney Spears? He was a laughing stock, routinely mocked in the media for taking Brit's money, getting her pregnant, and partying like a rock star (instead of a back up dancer).

But times have changed. Now K-Fed has re-tooled his image, and -- especially in light of the recent custody battle for Sean Preston and Jayden James -- appears to quite the family man. So much so, that Details magazine recently called Federline a "good father," while also placing him at number seven on their list of the "50 Most Influential Men Under 45."

He tells mag: "To be a father is...everything. It shows me how little I am."

Granted, anyone would seem like parent of the year when compared to Britney Spears, but maybe this new side of K-Fed is more than just hype?

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]]>britney spearsBritneySpearscelebritygossipjayden jamesJaydenJamesk-fedkevin federlineKevinFederlinekfedsean prestonSeanPrestonJonathon MorganTue, 27 Nov 2007 17:26:00 ESTGlowing umbrella keeps kids safehttp://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/27/glowing-umbrella-keeps-kids-safe/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/27/glowing-umbrella-keeps-kids-safe/http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/27/glowing-umbrella-keeps-kids-safe/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Now that we've moved off daylight savings time, it's getting dark just time for after school get-togethers like practice, study groups, etc. If your child usually walks home from school, this makes their trek considerably more treacherous.

Here's a novel way to make sure they're seen by passing cars -- the glowing umbrella. This keeps the rain off like a normal umbrella, but -- thanks to a bunch of LED lights underneath the fabric -- also acts like a personal headlight.

Unfortunately it's just a concept at the moment, but when it does go on sale, I'd highly recommend it. You could just force your kid to wear a flashlight helmet, or wrap them up in reflective tape -- but this seems to give off more light, and will almost certainly make your child more popular on the playground.

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]]>gadgetslightssafetyschooltoysumbrellaJonathon MorganTue, 27 Nov 2007 17:06:00 EST